Reaching semis, a bonus for Perpetual, says Omipon

For the University of Perpetual System DALTA women's volleyball team, the main reason for participating in the 2023 V-League Collegiate Challenge is to assess their team's performance and its system. Furthermore, to say it was a tough journey is an understatement.

Nonetheless, the Lady Altas achieved more than they had hoped for by securing a semifinal berth with a victory over Mapua University on Sunday, with a score of 16-25, 25-18, 25-18, 39-37.

"We are so delighted to have reached this far. Who would have thought we would be one of the squads in the semifinals?" outside hitter Shai Omipon commented on this significant milestone. "In every game, we learn from our mistakes. We always address them during training and implement what we've learned in our matches."

For a team that struggled with consistency in the preseason, Omipon believes that their determination and chemistry have carried them through each and every match.

She shared, "We understand that every point we earn is a result of teamwork and effective communication. We must always be in sync on the court to secure victories. Especially in that fourth set, we needed confidence and resilience, qualities we developed during our training sessions. Our coaches prepared us to play as if our opponents were ahead by ten points, and we had to catch up."

With the semifinal spot secured, Omipon and the rest of the Lady Altas are eager to finally defeat their NCAA rivals, the defending two-time champions College of Saint Benilde, something they have struggled with in recent encounters. "Our coaches always emphasize one thing: to play passionately, confidently, and smartly while staying united on the court. We don't need to play as individuals. I believe that will be the key to our success against CSB."