UNIVERSITY of the East flexed its new-look squad with an impressive opening win over Ateneo, 20-25, 25-17, 25-23, 25-18, in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball opener on Saturday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Casiey Dongallo had a UAAP seniors’ debut to remember, scoring 27 points on 26 attacks and one ace, including UE's last three game-clinching attacks.
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The four-set victory marked the Lady Warriors’ first over the Katipunan side in 14 years since their first-round clash in Season 73, ending Ateneo's 21-game win streak in their head-to-head matches.
"I’m just thankful to my teammates kasi I cannot do that, I cannot have naman 27 points without them eh. So I’m just happy na nung time na kinakabahan ako, andoon sila, hindi nila ako pinabayaan na bumaba yung laro ko," said Dongallo after the highest scoring debut by a rookie in UAAP women's volleyball history.
"Andoon sila to lift me up kaya po nagka-27 points po ako nang dahil din po sa kanila, and dahil sa set ni Kizzie [Madriaga] and dahil po sa tulong ng iba kong teammates," she added.
The 18-year-old California Academy standout admitted to facing early jitters in the opening set which the Red Warriors dropped. But Dongallo led a shutout from there with key pitches from Riza Nogales (13 points) and Kayce Balingit (12 points).
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