STILL STRUGGLING FOR consistency on the third day of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Season 100 Beach Volleyball Tournament elimination rounds, the San Beda Lady Red Spikers settled for a split outcome, while the Red Spikers extended their losing streak to four games yesterday, February 6, at the Sands Court, Zubic Freeport Zone.
Starting the day off for the Lady Red Spikers, the duo of Angel Habacon and Kat Molina stepped onto the sands against the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta (UPHSD) Lady Altas.
Opening the first set with a 4-0 run, the early momentum set by the Mendiola-based squad saw them take a nine-point advantage, 15-6, heading into the technical timeout of the set. Despite the strong start, the Lady Red Spikers faced the brunt of an 0-11 run by the Lady Altas before ending it at a score of 16-17.
A plague of unforced errors continued for the Lady Red Spikers, dropping the first set with a score of 19-21, in favor of Perpetual. Despite succumbing to a comeback victory, the Lady Red Spikers started the second set strong with a 13-8 advantage after an Angel Habacon spike ushered a technical timeout.
Contrasting with the first set’s loss, the Lady Red Spikers went on their own run of unanswered points, with the 6-0 run giving the Red and White a 21-14 second set victory. Tied at one set a piece, the Lady Red Spikers headed into their first three-set match of the tournament.
The deciding set was a neck-and-neck affair, with the Lady Altas keeping a slight advantage over the Lady Red Spikers. Facing a two-point deficit heading into match point, The Lady Red Spikers were narrowly defeated by the Lady Altas, 12-15, with a 1-2 match score.
Moving over to the afternoon session, Angel Habacon and Reyann Cañete saw action against the Emilio Aguinaldo College (EAC) Lady Generals. It was a close contest throughout the first set, with the Lady Red Spikers finding ground after a 16-13 advantage against the Lady Generals forced a timeout.
Heading into match point with a score of 20-16 in favor of the Lady Red Spikers, a three-point run from the Lady Generals forced a San Beda timeout. Despite the momentum shift, the Lady Red Spikers executed after the timeout, taking the first set with a score of 21-19.
The second set was more of the same, as the Lady Red Spikers and Lady Generals traded jabs throughout the match. Keeping a narrow lead in the set, a net-touch violation from the side of EAC gave the straight-set victory to the Lady Red Spikers, 21-18.
Meanwhile, the Red Spikers picked up another pair of losses in the elimination round. Facing off against UPHSD Altas Men’s Beach Volleyball Team in the morning session, the Red Spikers fell in straight sets, with a score of 16-21 in the first set and 12-21 in the second.
The afternoon sessions’ results against the EAC Generals Men’s Beach Volleyball team mirrored the morning session scoreline. The Red Spikers dropped their second game of the day after another 16-21 first set and 12-21 second set defeat.
The Lady and Red Spikers look to keep their final four contention hopes alive, with the elimination round of the NCAA Beach Volleyball Tournament extended until Saturday, February 8, at the same venue.