Ateneo Lady Eagles volleyball team

The Ateneo Volleyball Lady Blue Eagles is the collegiate women's varsity volleyball team of the Ateneo de Manila University. They play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).

Main article: Ateneo Blue Eagles
Ateneo Lady Eagles
NicknameLady Eagles
Head CoachOliver Almadro
CaptainJulianne Marie Samonte
LeagueUAAP, PVL
Uniforms
Home
Away
Championships
UAAP: 3
Shakey's V-League: 2

History

The volleyball Lady Blue Eagles team was formed in 1975. They first played competitive varsity volleyball when they participated in the women's volleyball tournament of the NCAA (Philippines) in Season 51 (1975–76). The following year, Season 52 (1976–77), the Lady Blue Eagles won their first and only NCAA women's volleyball championship. They were unable to repeat as champions in the NCAA because Ateneo de Manila transferred to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) in 1978. The team did not win a championship in the next 37 years. The team's first title in the UAAP came in Season 76 (2013–14). They won the title again the following year in Season 77 (2014–15).

In the UAAP, Ateneo Lady Eagles have won three championships. These titles were won by the Lady Blue Eagles in Season 76 (2013–14), Season 77 (2014–15) and Season 81 (2018–19), finally ending a title drought of more than 30 years in UAAP volleyball. Prior to their championships, the Lady Blue Eagles had nine Final Four appearances (Seasons 70, 72, 73, 74 and 75), with a second seed and twice-to-beat advantage in Season 74 and 75. In Season 72 (2009), the three Ateneo varsity volleyball teams – men's, women's and boys' were in the Final 4.

Sherwin Malonzo was appointed as the head of the volleyball program in 2008. In Season 71 (2008–09), Roger Gorayeb was hired as head coach of the Lady Eagles. That same year, Ateneo began to recruit high school players. Five blue-chip high school players (Fille Cainglet, Jem Ferrer, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho and Ailysse Nacachi) were recruited. These players were later dubbed the Fabulous Five by the Ateneo community and fans. Another group of five high school players was recruited the following year. In 2010 Ateneo recruited highly prized UST high school volleyball player Alyssa Valdez, as well as 4 other high school players.[1] Valdez was a national youth volleyball team standout, dubbed the "Phenom" by the sports press,[2] and a three-time MVP in UAAP high school volleyball. On January 20, 2013, she broke the UAAP volleyball record, by scoring 35 points (31 spikes, 3 blocks and 1 service ace) in the second round elimination game. Prior to her performance, the record had been 33 points, set by an Adamson University player on February 14, 2009.

In 2011 they won the championship of the Shakey's V-League, a summer tournament which the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles use as a preparation for the UAAP tournament. In the championship game, rookie Alyssa Valdez delivered a key performance for Ateneo. Her coach for this tournament, Charo Soriano, a former star Lady Blue Eagle herself, had this to say about the prized recruit: "She really pulled it through for us".[3]

In UAAP Season 77 (2014–15) the Lady Blue Eagles achieved a first when they swept the elimination round of Season 77, 14–0. This sweep means that the Ateneo Lady Eagles did not allow the La Salle Lady Spikers to win a single game against them in the elimination rounds. This sweep also earned the Ateneo Lady Eagles an automatic slot to the Finals for the first time with a thrice-to-beat advantage. They also swept their postseason games to become the first team in 11 seasons to complete an unbeaten campaign. Season 77 signaled the beginning of the success of the Ateneo volleyball program. All three varsity volleyball teams (men's, women's and juniors) of Ateneo in the UAAP were in the Finals. The women's volleyball team also won its second championship in Season 77 when they swept second-seeded De La Salle University in 2 straight matches (6 straight sets). The sweep achieved a 16–0 season record (elimination rounds to championship round), a first for any UAAP women varsity team in the Final Four era. Ateneo's recruitment program which is a key component of the volleyball program has been successful in recruiting highly prized players. Alyssa Valdez of the Lady Blue Eagles, who was a product of this robust recruitment program, was back-to-back (Season 76 and 77) UAAP MVPs, while Rongomaipapa Amy Ahomiro was named Season 77 UAAP Finals MVPs.[4] But, in UAAP Season 78 (2016–17) they became the League's Runner-Up as they have lost to their archrival DLSU. In the Awarding Ceremony, Alyssa Valdez claims her 3rd straight MVP Award, 4th straight Best Scorer award, and 3rd straight Best Server award. In the following year, the Ateneo Lady Eagles were the number 1 seed of the league but was eventually beaten by La Salle in the Finals match up. The Ateneo Lady Eagles were not able to get in the finals of Season 80 and thus the end of Coach Tai's era. The Head Coach of the Ateneo Blue Eagles, Coach Oliver Almadro eventually took over the spot of being the Head Coach of the Ateneo's Women's Volleyball team where he led them in the Finals of the 2nd Open Conference of the Premiere Volleyball league where they were able to bang the silver medal and 2 players were able to receive an award namely Maddie Madayag as The Best Middle Blocker while Kat Tolentino as the Best Opposite Spiker. The Ateneo Lady Eagles once more became the number one seed of the League in the 81st season because of their net defense also known as the Katipunan Tower of Triple Tower composed of their Captain, Bea de Leon, her co-captain, Maddie Madayag, and Kat Tolentino. They eventually faced the UST Growling Tigresses in the finals and were able to win against them, giving the Ateneo their 3rd Championship in the Women's department and Bea De Leon was named as the finals MVP.

Roster

UAAP Season 82 (S.Y. 2019–20) Team

No. Name Position Height Weight Playing Yr. College Yr. High School
1 Danielle Therese Ravena Libero 5' 5" 120 lbs. 3rd Junior Miriam College
4 Julianne Marie B. Samonte Middle Blocker 5' 9" 130 lbs. 4th Senior De La Salle Santiago Zobel
5 Vanessa S. Gandler Outside Hitter 5' 9" 130 lbs. 2nd Sophomore De La Salle Santiago Zobel
6 Janel A. Maraguinot Setter 5' 6" 125 lbs. 2nd Sophomore De La Salle Lipa
7 Kiara Cyrene R. Cruz Setter 5' 5" 115 lbs. Rookie Sophomore St. Mary's School
Cagayan de Oro City
8 Jaycel Ann Delos Reyes Middle Blocker 5' 10" 130 lbs. 2nd Sophomore Nazareth School of
National University
9 Pauline Marie Monique M. Gaston (Capt.) Middle Blocker 5' 10" 135 lbs. 4th Senior University of Santo Tomas
10 Katrina Mae D. Tolentino Opposite Hitter 6' 2" 145 lbs. 5th Masters McMath Secondary School Richmond, British Columbia Canada
11 Erika Beatriz G. Raagas Opposite Hitter 5' 9" 125 lbs. 2nd Sophomore St. Mary's School
Cagayan de Oro City
12 Joan Decemary Narit Middle Blocker 6' 1" 135 lbs. Rookie Freshman Ateneo de Cebu
15 Jhoana Louisse A. Maraguinot Outside Hitter 5' 8" 130 lbs. 5th Masters De La Salle Lipa
16 Jamie Isabelle M. Lavitoria Setter 5' 10" 130 lbs. 3rd Masters Marin Catholic High School
Kentfield California USA
17 Faith Janine Shirley M. Nisperos Outside Hitter 5' 11" 145 lbs. Rookie Freshman Nazareth School
of National University
19 Roma Mae Doromal Libero 5' 6" 125 lbs. Rookie Freshman Nazareth School
of National University

Notable players

Honors
  • NCAA
    • Winners (1): Season 52 (1976–77)
  • UAAP
    • Winners (3): Season 76 (2013–14),[6] Season 77 (2014–15),[7] Season 81 (2018–19)[8]

See also

References
  1. "Valdez sparks Ateneo's back-to-back crowns". Rappler.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  2. "High school phenom in spotlight as UAAP volleyball starts". Gmanetwork.com. Retrieved 2015-07-25.
  3. "Ateneo bags first V-League crown". Manila Bulletin. 2011-05-18. Archived from the original on 2011-05-24. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  4. "Ateneo de Manila became the first UAAP women's volleyball team to go 16-0 in a season".
  5. Escarlote, Mark (September 14, 2018). "PVL Open Conference: Lady Eagles on acid test". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  6. Inocencio, Jason (March 23, 2014). "United they fly: How the ADMU Lady Eagles became UAAP vball champs". GMA Network. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  7. Fopalan, Renee (March 14, 2015). "UAAP: Ateneo shuts out La Salle for perfect season, wins second straight women's volleyball title". GMA Network. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
  8. Escarlote, Mark (May 18, 2019). "UAAP Season 81 Finals: Lady Eagles reclaim throne". ABS-CBN Sports. Retrieved June 10, 2019.
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