NUMANCIA, Aklan – Negros Occidental secondary girls volleyball team reached the semifinals round of the 2023 WVRAA Meet after sweeping their group matches at the Laguimbanua Elementary School here.
The Bacolod Tay Tung High School-represented volleyball squad completed a sweep of their two Bracket A matches following a 25-11, 25-8 straight-set victory of Antique on Friday morning.
Ilongga Camila Amor Bartolome spearheaded the offense for the Negrenses, while Rhose Vianne Almendralejo, Jihan Chuatico and libero Mary Bontia also made their presence felt in the lopsided win.
On Thursday, the Ian Macariola-mentored Negros Occidental team had an easy 25-15, 25-13 straight-set romp of the Pontevedra Fire Antz of Capiz behind solid plays by Alijah Ysulan and Dona Mae de Leon.
Macariola said he opted to go with their second unit against Antique to give them the exposure they needed as they prepare for their semifinals game this morning against the no.2 seed from Bracket B.
“I opted to go with my second unit to give them the exposure and confidence they need heading into the semifinals and at the same time give our starters a rest,” Macariola told Panay News on Friday.
“These players (second unit) will be the future of Bacolod Tay Tung so, if there is really an opportunity, I want them to touch the floor so that they will be ready once their time comes,” he added.
Negros Occidental elementary girls volleyball team likewise reached the semifinals round after completing a sweep of their bracket with a 25-16, 25-6 beating of Antique at the Aklan Catholic College in Kalibo behind the strong showing of Samantha Cañete.
The Roberto Calamba Jr-mentored Bacolod Tay Tung elementary girls volleyball team was also victorious on Thursday afternoon when they walloped the Capiz team in two sets, 25-5, 25-5.
“So far so good for us, but it is still a long to go,” Calamba said. “As their coach, I also need to prepare my players because this is their first time to compete in WVRAA Meet, we have to be ready in the playoffs.”/PN
