NO strong athlete has ever been built overnight.
And in volleyball, the same applies to the loaded hits, charged attacks, and power spikes from some of the hardest-hitting stars in the UAAP women's game.
From countless hours of training at home and on the taraflex to channeling a killer mindset in every in-game attack, there lies a vast array of ways and means on how a perfect volleyball spike is executed.
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If you ever wondered how your favorite UAAP spikers mastered the art of spiking, SPIN.ph asked five of the finest attacking aces in women's college volleyball today to share their secrets.
ANGEL CANINO (LA SALLE)
Angel Canino knows more than a thing or two when it comes to leading the offense for no less than a champion squad like the De La Salle Lady Spikers.
For the reigning rookie MVP and second-best outside hitter, multiple factors come into play to create a perfect spike. But worth noting from Canino, however, is that there's more to spiking in volleyball than just power.
"My secret to a perfect spike? Siguro set, [magandang] set from our setter kasi hindi ko naman magagawa ‘yung perfect spike na ‘yun kung hindi perfect ‘yung set sa’kin," said Canino.
"I think na-develop ko ‘yung [malakas na palo], well it’s everyday training kasi na kailangan mong i-develop ‘yung spiking mo. It’s not about the power kasi, it’s also the placement sa bola. Kailangan mo ‘yun matutunan kasi kapag pumapalo ka, hindi naman kailangan power, kailangan may utak din."
BELLA BELEN (NU)
When Bella Belen rose to the college ranks, her lethal, quick-witted attacks stood at the forefront of National University's historic 16-game tournament sweep en route to the Season 84 women's volleyball crown.
Power spikes for the UAAP women's volleyball's first-ever rookie MVP, aside from sheer force and strength, boil down to two key factors: court vision and strategic ball placement.
"Ako po kasi talagang before ako pumalo is tinitignan ko muna ‘yung blockers and ‘yung defense pattern nila. Kumbaga, para hindi na ko mahirapan kung saan ko dadalhin ‘yung bola," Belen said.
"Siguro po sa training eh kasi before, hindi naman po ako ganito kaayos pumalo. Talagang dinaan ko lang po sa tiyaga, sa buhat, talagang sa disiplina po," she added.
CASIEY DONGALLO (UE)
Just eight games into her UAAP seniors career, Casiey Dongallo has made quite the strong impression with five 20-point outings topped by the first 30-piece of the season in a losing effort to Far Eastern University.
Dongallo credited rigorous leg and shoulder exercises in unlocking her full spiking potential. But from a team standpoint, the UE super rookie stressed how the secret to a good spike is a better pass.
"You have to have a good pass, which is nagagawa po ng libero namin. And siyempre ‘yung setter ko kasi hindi po talaga ako makakapalo nang ganun kung wala ‘yung setter ko. Credits po sa kanila talaga, sa lahat ng liberos, sa lahat ng passers and most importantly, kay (UE setter-captain) Kizzie [Madriaga] po, sa connection namin kaya po ako nakakapalo nang ganun," Dongallo said.
"Kung makakapunta po kayo sa training namin, ang ginagawa po namin is palakas ng rotator cuff tapos nagle-leg lift po kami to help us jump more and nagla-ladder at nagja-jump rope."
ALYSSA SOLOMON (NU)
Height is might for NU's 6-foot-1 hotshot Alyssa Solomon, who was hailed best opposite spiker in the Lady Bulldogs' Season 84 title romp and finished second to University of the Philippines' Niña Ytang the season after.
Spiking power is a given for Solomon, but she pointed out two rather understated factors which are equally vital in unleashing her hard hits: a strong mind and sufficient sleep.
"Matulog ng eight hours, totoo ‘yun, (at) mindset kasi ikaw ‘yung may control sa katawan mo. Kahit anong pagod mo or anything na nararamdaman mo, kung ‘yung mindset mo iisa lang, kung may goal ka, magagawa at magagawa mo [‘yung malakas na palo]."
Solomon added: "Weights, pagbubuhat. Kay Coach Kim (Bejo) sa S&C (strength and conditioning) namin, du’n kami nag-sstart na mag-develop ng muscle [para sa palo]."
ANGGE POYOS (UST)
Angge Poyos' first UAAP season with University of Sto. Tomas has been nothing short of historic and awe-inspiring with a handful of prelims games to go before the Final Four.
With six 20-point performances already to her name, the emerging MVP frontrunner underlined the shared importance of mental strength and discipline as her own keys to unlocking the perfect spike.
"Sikreto? Mindset lang, mag-focus ganun, at hard work sa training. Sinisimulan talaga sa training lahat and makinig sa mga coaches and unang-una, maging humble and willing mag-improve," Poyos said.
"Sa training lang talaga, nakikinig ako sa coaches at sa mga advices nila na ginagawa ko rin. Hard work talaga at ‘wag titigil kasi ‘pag volleyball player ka at gusto mo ‘yung ginagawa mo, hindi ka talaga mapapagod."
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