MANILA, Philippines – UST bucked an error-plagued showing to open the UAAP Season 84 women’s volleyball tournament with a 25-23, 25-20, 25-21 victory over FEU at the Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday, May 5.

Eya Laure delivered 14 points off 13 attacks as the Tigresses fended off several of the Lady Tamaraws’ spurts to sweep their way to a triumphant season debut.

Laure powered through back-to-back hits to give UST a commanding 17-7 lead in the third set before her side survived a last-ditch comeback from FEU.

Veteran Lycha Ebon pulled the Lady Tams within 3 points with an off-the-block attack, 21-24, but an Ann Rosell Asis service error on the next play paved the way for the Tigresses’ straight-sets win.

“We had a shaky performance, although we still won,” said UST head coach Emilio “Kung Fu” Reyes in a mix of Filipino and English as his wards committed 23 errors.

“There were a lot of unforced errors. Luckily, we still won in straight sets.”

Camille Victoria backstopped Laure with 12 points in the win that saw the Tigresses capitalize on the 31 points FEU threw away by way of errors.

The Lady Tams saved 5 set points in the opening set to cut its deficit to a whisker, 23-24, only to witness Jean Asis put too much power on her serve that went out.

UST then jumped to an 8-0 advantage in the second set before FEU found its groove, unloading a 15-7 run to knot the score at 15-15.

But KC Galdones delivered a pair of service aces in a 4-0 spurt and Laure scored back-to-back hits as the Tigresses seized a commanding 2-0 set lead.

Galdones finished with 4 points, while Maji Mangulaban also netted 4 points, all on services.

UST coasted to the swift win despite losing Imee Hernandez to an ankle injury midway through the first set.

Hernandez put up 4 points before she left the court and never returned after twisting her left ankle during a non-contact play.

Ebon posted 9 points in the loss, while Nikka Ann Medina added 8 points. – Rappler.com