By NIKOLE JAVIER
Alyssa Solomon erupted for a season-high performance to steer National University past Far Eastern University, 25-17, 13-25, 25-17, 25-, in the first round of the UAAP Season 86 women’s volleyball tournament on Wednesday, March 6, at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
The Lady Bulldogs recovered from a second-set stumble to turn back the Lady Tamaraws to pick up their fourth straight win in five games.
Meanwhile, FEU dropped its back-to-back matches and fell further in the standings with a 2-3 slate.
NU leaned on its reliable trio with Solomon unloading her highest scoring output of the season with a 25-point outing built on 21 attacks, three blocks and a service ace.
Meanwhile, Bella Belen delivered an all-around effort with 19 points off 15 attacks, two blocks and two services aces that went with 19 digs and 14 receptions.
Vange Alinsug, on the other hand, contributed 16 markers of her own.
NU bounced back from its second-set stumble to regain upper hand with a 2-1 set lead and zoomed to an 18-10 lead in the fourth set.
However, FEU briefly went on a determined 4-0 run following back-to-back service aces from Alyzza Devosora to pull the squad within four, 18-14.
Before the Lady Tamaraws could stage a complete comeback, Belen soared higher than her blockers with three unanswered attacks to give the Lady Bulldogs a 21-15 cushion.
Any last-gasp effort from FEU went nowhere as NU sealed the victory off Alinsug’s powerful crosscourt hit.
Petallo finished with 17 points that went for naught while the rest of the Lady Tamaraws were limited on the offensive end.
