July 31- Here we go again. New country, new team, new Experience. And I am ever so ready to leave the past behind and start a new. This time I have landed with the Lady Stags of San Sebastian College. And right away I was brushed in competition, as I landed Monday night and the first match of the Shakey's V League was on Sunday! With only a few days to prepare and get to know the squad, I was unbelievably nervous, but so excited to see what volleyball in the Philippines was about.
Here's the gist. Shakey's Volleyball League is a tournament held in Manila at San Jose Stadium. It houses 7 or 8 teams with one eventually being crowned tournament champion. Its broken up into what Ill call rounds, with teams being eliminated each round. So round 1 all the teams will play and the team with the worst record will be eliminated. The next round the same and so forth; until finally the last round where the teams are seeded and the #1 seed plays the #3 seed, while the #2 seed plays #4.
So game day arrived and having only practiced as a complete team maybe once or twice, we knew it would depend on going out and communicating and just getting a feel for each other. Upon entering the arena, I found I that not only am I the tallest player to play in the tourney, but I am the only and first American to play. Wow! So many expectations. Our first match would be against the Air Force. This would make for an interesting since for the most part I didn't know too much about them and they didn't know anything about me.
At the beginning of the match the teams get together in a hallway and march in with the officials and line judges. Its very official and I really like it. We warm up and then they announce our names as usual. My team always comes together for a prayer before competition.
The match went as good as we could have hoped for. Jumped out early and never really gave up the lead in the first set. They had some really good hitters as well. Not to mention some players that put up a nice size block. so it definitely was not a cake walk. I believe both teams were competing to the best of their ability. Considering it was the first match, I think everyone was getting the nerves out. The Lady Stags were able to take sets 1 & 2. But the Air Force gained a lot of momentum ending set 3.
Set 3 started off with the Air Force jumping on top hard with good service and strong defense at the net. We got stuck in a few rotations and they really forced us to find ways to put the ball away. We trailed most of the match, but in a late run, we were able to catch back up and take the lead for good. We got the W (25-25, 25-21, 25-22). Rubie De Leon, our setter, was named player of the game and she was awesome with 6 ace and 3 blocks!
Awesome match ladies and I'm ready for many more to come. Bravo Baste!
In other news, the fans and fanatics of volleyball are incredibly awesome here. Love it! Love you guys! Thanks for all your love and support! :D
Check out the Official San Sebastian Womens Volleyball Team FB Page
http://www.facebook.com/#%21/ansaveeee.ni.bualee
Make sure you check out our games live here.
http://www.livestream.com/vleague/folder
Check out the UAAP & Shakey's V-League Fan Pae
http://www.facebook.com/#%21/UAAPSVLFP
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