The Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles is the collegiate women's varsity volleyball team of the Ateneo de Manila University. They play in the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP).
Video Ateneo Lady Eagles Volleyball Team
History
The Lady Blue Eagles formed in 1975. They first played competitive volleyball when they joined the NCAA (Philippines) in season 51 (1975-76). The following year, season 52 (1976-77), the Lady Blue Eagles won their first and only NCAA women's volleyball championship. They were unable to repeat as champions in the NCAA because Ateneo de Manila transferred to the University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP). The team did not win a championship for another 37 years. The team's first title in the UAAP came in season 76 (2013-14). They won the title again the following year in season 77 (2014-15) and became the first UAAP women's volleyball team to go 16-0 in a season.
In the UAAP, Ateneo has won two championships. These titles were won by the Lady Blue Eagles in Season 76 (2013-14) and Season 77 (2014-15), finally ending a title drought of more than 30 years in UAAP volleyball. Prior to their championships, the Lady Blue Eagles had nine Final Four appearances (Season 70, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78 and 79), with a second seed and twice-to-beat advantage in season 74 and 75. In season 72 (2009), the three Ateneo varsity volleyball teams -men's, women's and boys' were in the Final 4.
Sherwin Malonzo was appointed as the head of the volleyball program in 2008. In season 71 (2008-09), Roger Gorayeb was hired as head coach of the Lady Eagles. That same year, Ateneo began to recruit high school players. Five blue-chip high school players (Fille Cainglet, Jem Ferrer, Dzi Gervacio, Gretchen Ho and A Nacachi) were recruited. These players were later dubbed the Fabulous Five by the Ateneo community and fans. Another group of three high school players was recruited the following year. In 2010 Ateneo recruited UST high school volleyball player Alyssa Valdez , as well as 4 other high school players. Valdez was a national youth volleyball team standout, dubbed the "Phenom" by the sports press, and a three-time MVP in UAAP high school volleyball. . On January 20, 2013, she broke the UAAP volleyball record, by scoring 35 points (31 spikes, 3 blocks and 1 service ace) in the second round elimination game. Prior to her performance, the record had been 33 points, set by an Adamson player on February 14, 2009.
They won in Shakey's V-League, a summer tournament which the Ateneo Lady Blue Eagles uses as a preparation for the UAAP tournament,back in 2011. In the championship game, Rookie Alyssa Valdez was seen as having delivered a key performance for Ateneo. Her coach for this tournament, Charo Soriano, a former star Lady Blue Eagle herself, had this to say about the prized recruit: "She really pulled it through for us".
In UAAP season 74 (2011-12), the Lady Blue Eagles ended the elimination round with 11 wins in 14 games, their best elimination round record in 33 seasons in the UAAP. For the first time ever, they were seeded second in the Final 4 with a twice-to-beat advantage. The Lady Blue Eagles did not find it necessary to use this advantage as they beat their opponent, UST, in Game 1 of their Final 4 series. With this win, they advanced for the first time to the Finals and had the defending champion De La Salle as their opponent. La Salle swept the elimination round and thus had a thrice-to-beat advantage in the Finals. The Lady Blue Eagles have not won over La Salle in the last four years. This losing streak was broken when they won Game 1 of the Finals. This was La Salle's first and only loss of the season. This win put the Finals series on equal terms. Unfortunately, the Lady Eagles lost the next two games and their chance for their first UAAP championship. Other achievements from this season include beating Adamson and UST twice in a season, 13 wins in a season, winning a game in the Final 4 round, and having a rookie score 30 points in one game.
The Lady Blue Eagles were able to successfully defend their Shakey's V-League Season 8 1st Conference title. The Lady Blue Eagles defeated the UST Golden Tigresses in their Best-of-Three series in the Finals which made them a back-to-back champion team. Alyssa Valdez, who scored 31 points (22 Attacks 8 Service Aces 1 Block) in Game 2 of the Finals was named the MVP. She scored a total of 73 points in the Finals series (59 Attacks 11 Service Aces 3 Blocks). The Lady Blue Eagles garnered their second championship of the year 2012 when they won the 2012 Tuguegarao City Open Invitational held on June 24-30, 2012. They did not lose a single set on their way to claiming the championship and the Php500,000.00 top prize.
Head Coach Roger Gorayeb changed his recruitment strategy for Season 75 (2012-13) and he recruited only high school players who are college-play ready. Still, the Lady Blue Eagles fell short. They made it to the Finals for the second consecutive year. However, it was a replay of Season 74 as the Lady Blue Eagles again faced and were defeated by the De La Salle Lady Spikers in the Finals.
In their first tournament in 2013, the Shakey's V-League 10th Season 1st Conference, they failed to defend their crown as back-to-back champions when they lost to NU in the Finals. Shortly after the end of the tournament, Roger Gorayeb, head coach of the women's volleyball team since 2008, stepped down in July 2013. In an effort to sustain the gains made by the Lady Blue Eagles under the watch of Gorayeb, Ateneo hired Anusorn "Tai" Bundit as the women's volleyball team trainer in September 2013. Bundit was the coach of the National Women's Juniors volleyball team of Thailand.
On March 15, 2014, the Lady Blue Eagles won their first championship in the UAAP. For the third consecutive season, their opponent in the Finals was the De La Salle Lady Spikers. The Lady Blue Eagles, a third-seeded team, beat La Salle which swept all of their fourteen elimination round matches. They ended La Salle's three-year reign as champions and also ended La Salle's 30-game winning streak. They were the first non-top seed varsity team in the UAAP to win the championship through the league's postseason stepladder format. They had to win 5 do-or-die matches in the process - starting with 3 in the step-ladder Semifinals (first against fourth-seeded Adamson University Lady Falcons, and then against second-seeded National University Lady Bulldogs which had a twice-to-beat advantage) and 2 in the Finals against defending champion La Salle Lady Spikers. Team captain Alyssa Valdez was the Season and Finals Most Valuable Player and also became the first ever UAAP athlete to win 4 awards in one season (which included Best Scorer and Best Server awards).
In December 2014, the collegiate women's varsity volleyball team of the Ateneo de Manila University represented the Philippines in the 17th ASEAN University Games in Palembang, South Sumatra, Indonesia. This is the first time that the Philippines was represented in the women's volleyball tournament of the ASEAN University Games. The Ateneo Lady Eagles won the bronze medal. This is the first medal finish in international women's volleyball competition for the Philippines since winning bronze in the 2005 Southeast Asian Games.
In UAAP Season 77 (2014-15) the Lady Blue Eagles achieved a first when they swept the elimination round of Season 77, 14-0. This sweep means that the Ateneo Lady Eagles did not allow the La Salle Lady Spikers to win a single game against them in the elimination rounds, a first for the Ateneo Lady Eagles since UAAP Season 71. This sweep also earned the Ateneo Lady Eagles an automatic slot to the Finals for the first time with a thrice-to-beat advantage. They also swept their postseason games to become the first team in 11 seasons to complete an unbeaten campaign. Season 77 signaled the beginning of the success of the Ateneo volleyball program. All three varsity volleyball teams (men's, women's and juniors) of Ateneo in the UAAP were in the Finals. The women's volleyball team also won its second championship in Season 77 when they swept second-seeded De La Salle University in 2 straight matches (6 straight sets). The sweep achieved a 16-0 season record (elimination rounds to championship round), a first for any UAAP women varsity team in the Final Four era. Ateneo's recruitment program which is a key component of the volleyball program has been successful in recruiting highly prized players. Alyssa Valdez of the Lady Blue Eagles, who was product of this robust recruitment program, were back-to-back (Season 76 and 77) UAAP MVPs, while Rongomaipapa Amy Ahomiro was named Season 77 UAAP Finals MVPs. But, in UAAP Season 78 they became the League's Runner-Up they have lost to their archrival DLSU. In the Awarding Ceremony, Alyssa Valdez claims her 3rd straight MVP Award, 4th straight Best Scorer award, and 3rd straight Best Server award. The Lady Eagles will try to reclaim their title on UAAP Season 79 many players will make a comeback like Michelle Morente, Maddie Madayag, Ana Gopico and Kat Tolentino as well.
Maps Ateneo Lady Eagles Volleyball Team
Current roster
- (c) - team captain
Notable players
- Maria Regina Gavino, AB '93
- - Member, 1989-92 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- - Member, RP national volleyball team.
- Kay de Guzman, BS 2001
- - Team Captain, UAAP Season 63 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- Karla Bello, AB 2007
- - Best Server, Shakey's V-League Season 4 1st Conference
- Maria Rosario "Charo" Soriano, AB 2007
- - Team Captain, UAAP Season 70 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- - Head Coach, Shakey's V-League Season 8 (2011) 1st Conference Ateneo Lady Eagles
- - Rookie of the Year, UAAP Season 66
- - Third Best Scorer, UAAP Season 69
- - Best Scorer, UAAP Season 70
- - Best Receiver, UAAP Season 70
- - Best Server, 2006 Home and Away Invitational League (HAIL)
- - Most Energetic Player, Shakey's V-League Season 4 2nd Conference
- - Best Blocker, Shakey's V-League Season 5 1st Conference
- - Most Improved Player, Shakey's V-League Season 5 1st Conference
- - Guest Player, Shakey's V-League SEA Club Invitational
- Patricia Lyn "Patti" Taganas, AB 2007
- - Best Digger, UAAP Season 69
- Stephanie "Gab" Gabriel, BS 2009
- - Rookie of the Year, 2006 Home and Away Invitational League (HAIL)
- - Best Digger, 2006 Home and Away Invitational League (HAIL)
- - Best Digger, Shakey's V-League Season 6 2nd Conference
- Bea Charmaine Pascual, AB 2011
- - Team Captain, UAAP Season 71 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- - Best Blocker, UAAP Season 69
- Ma. Carmina Denise "Kara" Acevedo, BS 2012
- - Team Captain, UAAP Season 72 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- - Rookie of the Year, UAAP Season 70
- Jamenea "Jem" Ferrer, AB 2013
- UAAP
- Team Captain, UAAP Season 73 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- Runner-Up, UAAP Season 74, UAAP Season 75
- Best Setter, UAAP Season 72, UAAP Season 73, UAAP Season 75 - Shakey's V-League
- UAAP
- - Most Valuable Player (MVP), Shakey's Girls V-League Season 7
- Finals MVP, Shakey's V-League Season 8 1st Conference
- Best Setter, (Shakey's Girls V-League 7th Season, 8th Season Open Conference, 8th Season SEA Club Invitational, 9th Season 1st Conference)
- - Most Valuable Player (MVP), Shakey's Girls V-League Season 7
- Fille Saint Merced N. Cainglet, BS 2012
- UAAP
- Team Captain, UAAP Season 74 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- Runner-Up, UAAP Season 74, UAAP Season 75 - Shakey's V-League
- Most Improved Player, 8th Season 1st Conference - WNCAA
- Most Valuable Player (MVP), 2006 WNCAA Juniors', 2007 WNCAA Juniors - Milo Best
- Most Valuable Player (MVP), 2005 Milo Best 17-Under Women's Volleyball League, 2006 Milo Best 17-Under Women's Volleyball League, 2007 Milo Best 17-Under Women's Volleyball League
- UAAP
- Angeline Marie "Dzi" Gervacio, AB 2013
- UAAP
- Team Captain, UAAP Season 75 (Ateneo Lady Eagles)
- Runner-Up, (UAAP Season 74, UAAP Season 75) - WNCAA (Juniors)
- Best Attacker, (2006, 2007)
- UAAP
- Dennise Michelle "Denden" Lazaro, BS 2015
- National Team
- Libero, RP Youth 16-Under Girl's national volleyball team to the 7th (2008) Asian Youth Girls 16-Under Volleyball Championships
- Member, 2015 RP national volleyball team to the 28th (2015) Southeast Asian Games Volleyball tournament in Kallang, Singapore. - Palarong Pambansa
- Member, 2009 Palarong Pambansa NCR Girls Secondary Division volleyball team - UAAP
- Runner-Up, (UAAP Season 74, UAAP Season 75)
- Champion, (UAAP Season 76, UAAP Season 77)
- Best Digger, (UAAP Season 76)
- Best Receiver, (UAAP Season 76, UAAP Season 77) - Shakey's V-League
- Best Receiver, (Season 6 (Girls), Season 8 1st Conference, Season 9 1st Conference)
- Best Digger, (Season 8 Open Conference, Season 8 SEA Club Invitational)
- National Team
- Alyssa "Aly" Valdez, AB 2015
- Press
- Dubbed the "Phenom" of volleyball by the sports press, news media and volleyball fans.
- Named Ms. Volleyball of the Philippines of 2013 and 2014 by the Philippine Sportswriters Association. - UAAP
- Team captain, 2013-2016 Ateneo Lady Blue Spikers team
- Record Holder, Most points scored in a game in UAAP Women's Volleyball, Most number of awards in one season in UAAP Women's Volleyball.
- UAAP Juniors MVP, UAAP Season 71 (2008) and UAAP Season 72 (2009)
- Athlete of the Year, 2008-09 UAAP Juniors Division
- UAAP Seniors' MVP, UAAP Season 76 (2013-14), UAAP Season 77 (2014-15) and UAAP Season 78 (2015-2016)
- Best Server, UAAP Season 76 (2013-14), UAAP Season 77 (2014-15) and UAAP Season 78 (2015-2016)
- Best Scorer, UAAP Season 75 (2012-13), UAAP Season 76 (2013-14), UAAP Season 77 (2014-15) and UAAP Season 78 (2015-2016)
- Finals MVP, UAAP Season 76 (2013-14)
- Fudgee O-Bar sa Galing Player of the Season, UAAP Season 78 (2015-2016)
- Athlete of the Year, UAAP Season 78 (2015-2016) - National Team
- Team captain, RP Youth 16-Under Girls' national volleyball team to the 7th (2008) Asian Youth 16-Under Girls' Volleyball Championships in Pasig City, Philippines.
- Member, 2013 RP national volleyball team to the 2014 FIVB Women's World Championship Qualification Zonal Round in Quantri, Vietnam - 3rd place.
- Team captain, 2015 RP national volleyball team to the 1st (2015) Asian Women's U23 Volleyball Championship in PhilSports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines - 7th place.
- Member, 2015 RP national volleyball team to the 28th (2015) Southeast Asian Games Volleyball tournament in Kallang, Singapore. - Shakey's V-League
- Record Holder, Most points scored in one conference
- Most Valuable Player (MVP), Season 12 (2015) Open Conference, Season 12 (2015) Collegiate Conference
- Finals MVP, Season 9 (2012) 1st Conference, Season 12 (2015) Reinforced Conference
- Best Server, Season 10 (2013) 1st Conference
- Best Scorer, Season 11 (2014) Open Conference
- First Best Outside Spiker, Season 12 (2015) Open Conference, Season 12 (2015) Collegiate Conference
- Shakey's Girls MVP, 5th Season (2008)
- Shakey's Girls Best Attacker, 7th Season (2010)
- Press
- Rongomaipapa Amy "Kiwi" Ahomiro, AB 2015
- UAAP
- Finals MVP, UAAP Season 77 (2014-2015)
- UAAP
- Margarita Anna Marie "Marge" Tejada, BS Candidate 2016
- 2009 WNCAA Juniors Division Best Receiver
- 2011 WNCAA Juniors Division MVP
- Season 13 (2011-12) NCAA South Best Receiver
- Team captain, 2012 Palarong Pambansa NCR Girls' Secondary Division volleyball team
- 2012 Palarong Pambansa Girls' Volleyball Secondary Division Best Server
- Member, RP Youth national volleyball team to the 4th (2012) ASEAN Schools Games in Surabaya, Indonesia. - Julia Melissa "Jia" Morado, AB Candidate 2017
- Team Captain Season 79 Ateneo Lady Eagles
- Member, RP Youth National Volleyball Team to the 4th (2012) ASEAN Schools Games Surabaya, Indonesia - 4th place
- Member, 2015 RP national volleyball team to the 1st (2015) Asian Women's U23 Volleyball Championships in PhilSports Arena, Pasig City, Philippines.
- Member, 2015 RP national volleyball team to the 28th (2015) Southeast Asian Games Volleyball tournament in Kallang, Singapore.
- UAAP Season 77 (2014-2015) Best Setter
- 2011 NCR Volleyball Meet Best Setter
- 2012 BEST Center Women's Volleyball League Best Setter
- 2012 and 2013 Shakey's Girls Volleyball League (NCR) Best Setter
- 2012 NCR Palarong Panrehiyon Most Valuable Player & Best Setter
- 2012 Palarong Pambansa Best Setter
- Shakey's V-League 13th Collegiate Conference Best Setter
- 2015 ASEAN University Games Best Setter - Maria Gizelle Jessica "Gi" Tan, AB Psychology 2016
- Shakey's V-League Season 12 (2015) Collegiate Conference Best Setter.
- 2011 Season 8 Shakey's Girls Volleyball League (SGVL) Tournament of Champions Best Setter
- Shakey's V-League 13th Collegiate Conference Best Libero - Isabel Beatriz "Bea" Paras De Leon, AB Management Economics 2017
- Shakey's V-League Season 12 (2015) Collegiate Conference 2nd Best Middle Blocker. - Julianne Marie "Jules" Samonte, BS Candidate 2020
- UAAP Season 78 (2015-16) Juniors Division Best Scorer
- UAAP Season 79 (2016-17) Rookie of the Year - The Lady Eagles received the Heart Strong Team of the Season in UAAP Season 78
Awards
University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP)
- 2017-18 UAAP Season 80 - Bronze medal
- 2016-17 UAAP Season 79 - Silver medal
- 2015-16 UAAP Season 78 - Silver medal
- 2014-15 UAAP Season 77 - Champions
- 2013-14 UAAP Season 76 - Champions
- 2012-13 UAAP Season 75 - Silver medal
- 2011-12 UAAP Season 74 - Silver medal
- 2009-10 UAAP Season 72 - Bronze medal
UAAP Beach Volleyball
- 2015-16 UAAP Season 78 - Bronze medal
- 2013-14 UAAP Season 76 - Bronze medal
- 2011-12 UAAP Season 74 - Silver medal
- 2007-08 UAAP Season 70 - Silver medal
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
- 1976-77 NCAA Season 52 - Champions
- 1975-76 NCAA Season 51 - Champions
Shakey's V-League
- 2016 Season 13 Collegiate Conference - Silver medal
- 2015 Season 12 Collegiate Conference - Silver medal
- 2013 Season 10 1st Conference - Silver medal
- 2012 Season 9 1st Conference - Champions
- 2011 Season 8 Open Conference - Bronze medal
- 2011 Season 8 1st Conference - Champions
- 2010 Season 7 1st Conference - Bronze medal
- 2008 Season 5 1st Conference - Silver medal
- 2007 Season 4 2nd Conference - Bronze medal
International
- 2016 ASEAN University Games - Bronze medal
- 2014 ASEAN University Games - Bronze medal
See also
- Ateneo Blue Eagles
- Ateneo de Manila University
- Ateneo-La Salle rivalry
References
Source of article : Wikipedia
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