THE country’s best girls volleyball teams, an elite list that includes Cebu’s very own University of San Jose-Recoletos, will try to keep in step with two foreign contingents as the Shakey’s Girls’ Volleyball Tournament of Champions unveils on Monday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
USJ-R got the coveted invite to the prestigious competition after winning the Cebu leg last year, to make up for their failed title defense in the Cesafi juniors tournament. The Baby Jaguars are hoping to hold their own in this tournament that is being spiced up by the participation of teams from New Zealand and Australia.
Aside from the foreigners that boast of superior height and experience, USJ-R must also contend against the likes of the reigning champions, the powerhouse Hope Christian School, De La Salle-Lipa, Central Philippines University, Leyte National High School, Angeles University Foundation, Ateneo de Davao and Baguio City National High School.
The Kiwis will be bannered by Imogen Francis, Bethany Hayman, Annalise Vukets, Annilise Fitzi, Kelcy Ballantyne, Kahla Tyson, Georgia Morton, Caitlyn Taniela, Hannah Davenhill, Annie Eden, Alex Parker and Petra Manderson with Colleen McIlroy as head coach.
The NZ junior women’s squad is gearing up for the Asian Junior Women’s Championship set in Taiwan in July, making this 11th staging of the Shakey’s Girls Volley a key stop in their buildup.
The teams will be divided into two groups with each team playing a round-robin in their own group. The top two from each division will advance to the crossover semifinals where the winners will duke it out for the crown.