UNITED Volleyball Club banked on Filipino-American ace Kalei Mau and import Yaasmeen Bedart-Ghani to dominate skidding Cignal, 14-25, 25-21, 25-21, 26-24, in the Philippine Superliga Grand Prix on Tuesday at Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan.
Mau and Bedart-Ghani provided the firepower for United VC, which is back on the winning track following a disappointing loss to F2 Logistics.
Mau and Bedart-Ghani unloaded 19 points each as United VC survived the 29-point explosion of import Erica Wilson.
Bedart-Ghani delivered the winning spikes that completed their fourth set comeback from a 21-23 deficit to finish with 14 spikes, three blocks and an ace.
Mau, on the other hand, scored 18 of her 19 points from kills on top of a superb defensive effort with 14 digs and 14 excellent receptions.
“I’m proud of how the girls stayed composed. The girls talked among themselves,” said United VC Head Coach Joshua Ylaya, whose wards improved to a 5-4 win-loss card.
“We’re starting zero-zero again, that was a fluke. Let’s start anew and I’m glad that they responded right away,” Ylaya added.
Ylaya also gave credit to Amy Ahomiro, who delivered the crucial service when they were down 21-23 in the fourth set before import Tai Manu-Olevao scored back-to-back hits to tie the set.
Wilson tried to pump life into the HD Spikers, but an error from Ana Artemeva and the win-clincing hits of Bedart-Ghani allowed United VC to escape with a win.
“The coaching staff is just proud on how they handled that last stretch in the fourth set. Credits to the serving of Ahomiro, we have to serve strong in that crucial moment and she did well that made our offensive transition smooth,” Ylaya said.
Manu-Olevao was also instrumental with 10 points while setter Alohi Robins-Hardy dished out 31 excellent sets, 16 digs and three poitns.
Artemeva backed Wilson with 12 points, while Jheck Dionela protected the floor with 30 digs and 19 excellent receptions for Cignal, which absorbed its third straight loss for a 5-6 card.