MVP plum shocks, delights Solomon
All Alyssa Solomon wanted was to do her role to help National University annex the inaugural Shakey’s Super League Collegiate Pre-season Championship title. That’s why she was surprised when she was awarded Most Valuable Player moments after the Lady Bulldogs completed a perfect run to reign supreme in the tournament at the expense of De La Salle University. “I was really surprised. Actually, I really thought it would be Bella (Belen). I was really shocked when they called my name,” the 20-year-old winger said after leading NU to a 25-23, 25-20-25-20 sweep of the Lady Spikers on Saturday night at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. “I did not expect this. My mindset is just to play well and get the championship title.” Solomon finished with 14 points built on 10 kills, three aces and a kill block to lead NU into completing an eight-game sweep of the SSL. The 6-foot-2 winger also provided stability when the Lady Spikers threatened to make a run after going down by 11 points in the second set and after La Salle took a 17-15 lead in the third frame.
“Actually, I don’t want to lose. It’s been in our culture since high school that every game we will not allow ourselves to lose. That we must be better than our rivals,” Solomon, who also bagged the Best Opposite Spiker award, said.
Solomon also took the honor of hitting the championship-clinching kill.
The Lady Bulldogs’ latest conquest added to the amazing 16-0 domination of University Athletic Association of the Philippines Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament that ended NU’s 65-year title drought.
The Lady Spikers were also the recipient of the Lady Bulldogs’ bite in the UAAP best-of-three Finals five months ago.
Solomon cherished the opportunity to get a glimpse of the teams that they will face in the UAAP Season 85 wars scheduled to ignite early next year as well as gauge where her level of play is right now.
“I’m very happy throughout the tournament because I’m able to see where I could improve every day, every training, every game. I also saw how my teammates are improving,” Solomon said.