Solomon struts solid spiking

The National University (NU) women’s volleyball team flashed its deadly championship form in the first round of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 87 competitions.

The Lady Bulldogs’ sweep of the initial round was made possible by Alyssa Solomon, whose exploits earned her the Collegiate Corps UAAP Player of the Week honors for the period 12 to 16 March.

In men’s play, Mikko Espartero of Far Eastern University (FEU) was named the week’s best for leading the Tamaraws to their seventh straight victory.

In a tight vote, the 6-foot-2 Solomon beat teammate Lams Lamina, De La Salle University’s Shevana Laput and Mikole Reyes, University of the Philippines’ (UP) Irah Jaboneta and Joan Monares, and Adamson University’s record-setting star rookie Shaina Nitura for the weekly award presented by the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by Discovery Suites and World Balance.

Solomon banged in 22 points on 15 attacks, four blocks, and three aces in NU’s 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 win over Adamson last Wednesday.

With the Lady Bulldogs pushed to the limit by University of Santo Tomas in their Sunday showdown, Solomon rose to the occasion anew and poured in 24 points on 21 attacks and three blocks to lead her side to a pulsating 23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-18, 15-9 triumph to keep their clean slate.

Meanwhile, one game was enough for Espartero to stamp his mark and claim the Player of the Week citation.

Left out of last year’s loaded FEU roster, the young sensation uncorked a career-best 27 points on 21 attacks, five aces, and one block to power the Tamaraws past the La Salle, 22-25, 25-21, 25-22, 25-19, on Saturday.

Espartero edged teammate Ariel Cacao, NU’s Jade Disquitado, La Salle’s Noel Kampton, as well as UP’s Olayemi Raheem and Tommy Castrodes for the weekly award.

Espartero, who also logged seven excellent receptions against La Salle, commented on how FEU recovered from its first set loss.