MANILA – Bacolodnon Celine Elizabeth Marsh was a force for the National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups as they retained the UAAP high school girls volleyball championship.
The Filipina-British hitter spearheaded the Lady Bullpups as they scored a 26-24, 25-22, 29-27 victory over Adamson University Baby Falcons in the do-or-die Game 3 of Season 86 finals on Monday at the Paco Arena.
Marsh carried the Lady Bullpups in the opening set as they erased a 10-3 lead by the Lady Bulldogs en route to a come-from-behind set win following an attack by Kiana Olango.
NU had a dominant second set before being tested by Adamson in the third frame as they were down 17-21 before Marsh, Ilongga Robielle Silla and Bienne Bansil scored consecutive hits to complete a straight set triumph.
Marsh did not only make her presence felt for the Lady Bullpups in the championship series but also the entire tournament en route to being named as Season 86 2nd Best Hitter.
Formerly of Trinity Christian School volleyball team in Bacolod City, Marsh said that the UAAP championship on her rookie year only proved that her decision to relocate in Manila was right.
“It was a hard decision but I do not have regrets,” Marsh told Panay News. “This move was for my future and personal growth as a volleyball player as I believe that I will achieve that with NU.”
“I was really delighted to have won a championship on my rookie year since UAAP is different from NOPSSCEA or other leagues in Bacolod City. This was a higher level of competition,” she added.
The Bacolodnon volleybelle was supposed to play for the Philippine U-18 girls volleyball team of head coach Jerry Yee last year but last-minute changes in the tournament have hampered her national team stint.
“Maybe in the future I will be given a chance to represent the country in international tournaments but, for now, my focus is to improve further as a volleyball player,” Marsh said./PN
