DLSU rallies to beat NU in five-set UAAP women's volleyball clash

De La Salle University secured a five-set victory over National University in the UAAP Season 86 women's volleyball match on Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Shevana Laput led De La Salle with a season-best 20 points, while Angel Canino emphasized the importance of fighting back from a deficit and controlling errors to highlight the Lasallian spirit of pride and determination.

Despite trailing two sets to one, De La Salle rallied and won the decisive fifth set, drawing lessons from their previous loss to UST where they had blown a lead.

National University coach Bella Belen acknowledged that her team has much room for improvement after losing to both defending champion De La Salle and league-leading UST, stating they need to work as one unit and not relax during games.

Alyssa Solomon led National University with 7 points less than her previous match score of 21 points, but De La Salle's efforts were enough to secure their victory and propel them to a 6-1 record in the standings at the end of the first round.

NU was actually able to outscore DLSU in points, 100-98, after the match that lasted for two hours and 31 minutes, held advantages in digs (53-29) and receptions (42-39), but La Salle's blocking (13-7) and height proved to be enough for them to fend off the Lady Bulldogs.

With these results, National University aims to start over in the second round against UP Fighting Maroons on Wednesday, March 20.