DESPITE A STRONG start to their Season 100 campaign, both the San Beda Lady Red Spikers and Red Spikers faced a challenging second day in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Beach Volleyball Tournament as both the Men’s and Women’s squads suffered back-to-back losses yesterday, February 5, at the Sand Courts, Subic Freeport Zone.

The Lady Red Spikers faced the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (CSB) Lady Blazers in the morning session. During this session the teams exchanged blows in a hard-fought match. 

Struggling to gain control early on in the game, the Mendiola-based squad eventually fell short, ending the set with a score of 14-21. In a much closer game in the second set, both teams traded points throughout the tight-knit contest. With Benilde clinching the last few plays, finishing with a match point of 19-21, the Lady Red Spikers absorbed their second loss in the fixture at 0-2.

In the afternoon session, Kat Molina stepped on the court for the first time this season, as the Lady Red Spikers returned to the sands to face Jose Rizal University’s (JRU) Lady Bombers. Starting strong in the first set, they carried their momentum forward and took control of the match, securing the set on scores of 21-15. Determined to make a comeback, the Lady Red Spikers maintained their perseverance, winning the set with a score of 21-16, leveling their record at a win and a loss for the day.

Meanwhile, the Red Spikers faced CSB in its first match of the day. Despite a promising start, the team dropped the match in straight sets, with game scores of 18-21, and 14-21. 

In the afternoon game, the Red Spikers faced JRU in a grueling three-set battle in their next match. After losing the first set, 14-21, they fought back to claim the second, 21-15. However, JRU held firm in the decisive third set, prevailing over San Beda with a score of 15-13 and handing them their second loss of the day.

(with Paris Isaac  E. Falcone)