HIGHLIGHTS: UAAP season 85 women's volleyball

MANILA, Philippines – The UAAP Season 85 women’s volleyball tournament returns to the Araneta Coliseum for a pair of weekend double-headers starting this Saturday, April 1, before going on Holy Week break.

Adamson (6-2) vs Ateneo (3-5)

UAAP | STATS:

Kate Santiago, Trisha Tubu, and Louie Romero lead Adamson’s tight sweep of Ateneo!

The Blue Eagles only had 6 excellent sets in the loss.#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/iNAYs8tPTJ
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

UAAP | FINAL:

The Adamson Lady Falcons (7-2) stay soaring after a close sweep of the Ateneo Blue Eagles (3-6), 25-23, 25-17, 26-24!#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/CFduHGkMja
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

UAAP | END OF SET 2:

Adamson blows out Ateneo for a two-set lead, 25-17!#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

In a battle of streaking teams, the contending Adamson Lady Falcons shoot for an elimination round sweep of the middling Ateneo Blue Eagles at 2 pm and avoid unnecessary complications in their Final Four push.

Still led by the mighty spiking power of Kate Santiago and Trisha Tubu, the Falcons at this point are looking to tidy up some remaining errors from their side as they prepare to take down bigger fish and prove they belong in the conversation of early title contenders.

The Eagles, however, are certainly sick and tired of being a doormat for other teams, and role players like Taks Fujimoto, Roma Doromal, and Joan Narit are out to prove this team does not excel solely because of Faith Nisperos and Vanie Gandler.

NU (5-3) vs UP (1-7)

UAAP | STATS:

Bella Belen, Cess Robles, and Lams Lamina lead NU’s tight sweep over UP!#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/oriFhB0Ble
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

UAAP | FINAL:

The NU Lady Bulldogs (6-3) snap a two-game losing streak, sending the UP Fighting Maroons (1-8) to the brink of elimination off a 25-21, 27-25, 25-20 sweep!#UAAPSeason85 pic.twitter.com/uQTZGhDoXV
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

UAAP | END OF SET 2:

NU escapes in a thriller against UP for a two-set lead, 27-25!#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

UAAP | END OF SET 1:

Bella Belen finally gets the hang of the Araneta Coliseum after a forgettable first round debut as NU outguns UP, 25-21!#UAAPSeason85
— Rappler Sports (@RapplerSports) April 1, 2023

The NU Lady Bulldogs find themselves further into unfamiliar territory as they attempt to snap a rare losing streak and right a creaky ship against the free-falling UP Fighting Maroons at 12 pm.

Currently on a stunning six-set skid no thanks to the mighty La Salle Lady Spikers, the reeling Bulldogs search for new answers from their bench as the likes of Vange Alinsug, Shaira Jardio, and Joyme Cagande boost the fighting spirit of their weary starting six.

The Maroons, on the other hand, are careening towards a hasty elimination if they don’t end their five-game slide, but their leaders like Niña Ytang and Steph Bustrillo can certainly build confidence off their unlikely distinction of actually owning a set win against the defending champions.