NATIONAL U gave returning winger Alyssa Solomon the perfect welcome-back gift: a twice-to-beat advantage.
The defending champions secured at least a Top Two prelims finish at also-ran Ateneo's expense, 25-16, 25-15, 25-21, in UAAP Season 87 women's volleyball on Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
Solomon, the league's reigning two-time best opposite hitter, returned to action for the Lady Bulldogs after a two-game layoff from a minor left ankle sprain in one of their training sessions.
In her comeback, the 6-foot-2 spiker fired 12 points from 11 attacks, as Bella Belen tallied her fourth triple-double of the season with 14 points, 13 receptions and 10 digs.
For the fourth straight season, NU will finish the elimination round as one of the top two teams after winning at least 11 of 14 matches.
They have also yet to lose in the Final Four in that four-season stretch given how they have always been armed with a playoff incentive.
Lady Bulldogs bark on track
Winning its penultimate match in prelims play was a timely boost for the blue-and-gold just before postseason action.
The Lady Bulldogs were taken aback by two shock defeats in the four matches that followed the 8-0 start to their title defense.
But after losing to host University of the Philippines in five sets then to Adamson in four, National U picked up the pace by making short work of now-eliminated teams University of the East and Ateneo.
On the losing side of things, the Blue Eagles dropped their ninth match of the season.
They are on track to match either last year's 5-9 record with a win over the Lady Warriors in their final assignment or their 4-10 card in Season 85 with a loss instead.
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