NU women’s volleyball team keeps core intact for UAAP Season 85

The NU Lady Bulldogs are ready to win their second title in a row. (National University of the Philippines Facebook via thesummitexpress.com)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

After an undefeated championship run during the UAAP women’s volleyball Season 84, the National University (NU) Lady Bulldogs are looking to clinch two titles in a row after securing the commitment of their veteran stars.

The NU Athletics office announced the recent development and confirmed that Ilongga Princess Robles, Jennifer Nierva, Ivy Lacsina, and Joyme Cagande will stay with the Lady Bulldogs for one more year for the upcoming Season 85.

Robles, a former member of the Central Philippine University (CPU) women’s volleyball program and the pride of Arevalo, Iloilo City, was hailed as the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

The Ilongga was also the championship team’s team captain and was the heart and soul of their young core who had to go through a lot after sweeping seasoned universities like the Ateneo de Manila University and DLSU during the elimination phase.

Meanwhile, Nierva, the Season 84 Best Libero awardee, is seeking to repay NU’s trust while also honing her to become one of the country’s top volleyball players.

The duo of Lacsina and Cagande will add more depth to NU’s blazing offense and will also handle middle-blocking duties.

Aside from the quartet, the Lady Bulldogs will still have Most Valuable Player (MVP) and national team member Bella Belen in their lineup.

Rounding up the Lady Bulldogs’ squad are Best Opposite Spiker Alyssa Solomon, Best Setter Lams Lamina, and Sheena Toring.

It was a historic season for the Lady Bulldogs after finishing their campaign with an undefeated 16-0 record including their championship series sweep over the tough and experienced De La Salle University (DLSU) Lady Spikers.