MANILA – University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons women’s volleyball team has strengthened its roster with the commitments of Cebuana Kianne Olango and Yesha Noceja.
Fighting Maroons head coach Oliver Almadro said that the arrival of the two former National University Nazareth School Lady Bullpups standouts will be a huge boost to UP in UAAP Season 87.
“When you build a program, you need players with talent, determination, and leadership. Ganyan na ganyan ‘yung maitutulong sa atin ni Yesha and Kianne. The UP volleyball program is really thankful they chose us,” said Almadro.
Olango, the UAAP Season 85 Girls Volleyball MVP and Season 86 Best Opposite Hitter, said she is thankful to the Lady Bullpups for giving her the opportunity to showcase her talent and is looking forward to a new start with UP.
“I’m very thankful for the learnings I got from my time in NUNS. At the same time, sobrang excited ko lang din pong makapag-aral sa UP para sa future ko while also doing whatever I can to help out (WVT),” said the 5-foot-8 Olango.
“Excited to prove my worth once more,” she added. “I’ve been doubted many times in my career, and those doubts fuel me to be a better player. I’m raring to go and beat the odds again.”
Noceja, for her part, stated that she chose to join UP not just for the school’s volleyball program but also due to its excellent academics.
“I will bring to UP all the lessons I learned from my coaches at NUNS,” Noceja said. “I will combine that with my new learning and hope that it makes me a better and more complete athlete.”
“Malaking bagay pong makakapag-prepare kami para sa future namin on- and off-court sa school na nag-excel in both athletics and academics,” the 5-foot-8 volleybelle added.
Noceja and Olango will be the Fighting Maroons’ third and fourth recruits for next season, aside from Jothea Mae Ramos of Bacolod Tay Tung High School and Joanneesse Gabrielle Perez of Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu./PN
