NATIONAL University dynamic duo Bella Belen and Alyssa Solomon have steered the Lady Bulldogs' offense to unrivaled heights the past two UAAP seasons.
It is no secret that the two multi-awarded spikers can fire hard and heavy-loaded hits at any given time on the floor, proving to be key assets for NU in back-to-back women's volleyball finals appearances.
But in order to keep their trajectories of growth upwards, a complete two-way playing package is of the essence — one which involves being a defensive threat just as much as they already are in offense.
READ: NU Lady Bulldogs take down FEU for fourth win in a row
"Sa training pa lang po pina-practice na namin siya, 'yung digging namin. Napansin nga namin nu'ng first game [versus UST], doon talaga kami mababa (41 digs). Tina-try namin na every game kailangan may mag-improve sa skills namin," said Belen, who tallied five-game defense averages of 12.8 digs, 9.8 receptions, and 1.0 block.
Drilled to perfection
Solomon, who has averages of 4.2 digs and 1.8 blocks to her name five games into the season, credited one particular defensive volleyball drill which she and the rest of the Lady Bulldogs have repeated over and over in the leadup to the new season — the three-man drill.
"'Yung sa digging namin, trinabaho talaga namin siya for months. Si Coach (Norman Miguel), may time na every day kaming tini-three man niyan para maghabol nang maghabol ng bola," Solomon bared.
"Happy kami kasi nakikita namin 'yun sa game na na-aapply namin 'yung mga ganung practice sa game."
Also called the three-man weave, which also applies in other sports like basketball for the same purpose, the drill Solomon was referring to has three players subjected to a cylical, fast-paced digging and passing simulation with the goal of sharpening one's ball control and agility on floor defense.
After a more solid defensive display in recent games, Belen and Solomon share the sentiment that gradual on-court improvement is necessary to keep the momentum of the Lady Bulldogs' four-game unbeaten run.
"Based sa game namin [versus FEU], I think meron pa po kaming kayang ilabas," said Belen. "'Yung consistency namin, dapat hindi kami dapat mag-relax."
Solomon added: "Bawal kaming mag-relax [nang] 'di pa tapos 'yung laban. Kailangan tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami. Dapat hindi kami hihinto hangga’t 'di pa tapos."
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