Exhibiting remarkable dominance, the College of Social Science and Humanities (CSSH) Vanguards hailed as the first-ever women’s beach volleyball champions, halting the College of Education (COED) Mentors' resurgence with a 30-25 victory in a historic match at the University Beach Volleyball Court on October 11.
With their relentless energy and precise attacks, Vanguards' power hitters Hazel Diane Dolendres and Jeffsy Edillo executed flawless plays that overwhelmed the Mentors spikers Marjorie Cuya and Resa Mare Enumarables, turning their trophy pursuit into mere embers.
© John Ross Sambanan
Pushed for strong setups, the game quickly intensified as the COED hopefuls exhibited powerful spears despite their exhaustion, pushed for strong setups. However, the CSSH refused to let any chance slip, with a hard-nosed defense earning the momentum, breaking attacks, and denying opportunities.
The Mentors then tried to rally their team's spirits, but a series of serving errors, combined with the Vanguards' eminence, sealed their fate. The match concluded with a resounding serve from Dolendres, marking not just the end of the game but also a historic moment.
Heading into the game, the champions embraced a ‘mind over body’ mentality, focusing on the importance of taking it one game at a time. This mindset was emphasized by Dolendres, who not only led the team to victory but also earned the tournament’s Most Valuable Player award.
"Testament ni siya na dili lang ta limited sa uban na sport, pero if [may] ma -introduce pa [na] more sports sa MSU, naa puod tay ikabuga," Dolendres exclaimed. She highlighted that the finals demonstrated how colleges can rise to the challenge, even in newly introduced events. She hopes that these additions will inspire colleges to deliver their best performances in the future.
With the tournament concluded and the champions crowned, beach volleyball has cemented its place as a premier sport. The overwhelming fan support and the players' exceptional performances leave no doubt—it deserves to remain a cornerstone event in future Intramurals.
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