Just a few months ago, the University of the East welcomed changes to its athletics programs, particularly in women's volleyball.
This development led to the appointment of seasoned head coach Jerry Yee.
However, the most significant news was the commitment of the core members from the California Precision Academy squad, which had made waves in various tournaments and secured several championships. One of these rising stars was the outside hitter, Jelai Gajero.
The Lady Warriors made a triumphant return to the V-League after defeating the NAASCU champion, Enderun College, in straight sets. Gajero played a crucial role in securing the victory despite facing some challenges.
"Personally, I believe I didn't perform as well as we had practiced before. There's still room for improvement," admitted the Naga City native. "We won, but it was still lacking."
"And as a team, I think we can do even better. We have several shortcomings in basic aspects, like the first ball and our service. It's more about mental lapses."
Having completed their collegiate debut, Gajero and the other rookies in the Lady Warriors' squad recognize the need to work harder in the upcoming matches, as they are aware that many eyes are on them.
"For me, we're putting in a lot of effort because people have high expectations of us, especially considering our past achievements," shared the 18-year-old newcomer. "Personally, that motivation drives me to elevate my game."
Facing more experienced teams in the coming matches, Gajero and the rest of the UE squad are well aware that they have their work cut out for them.
"We understand that as the league progresses, the teams we'll face will become more competitive. So, we have to prepare not only physically but also mentally."
