3 titles, 3 different coaches: Just all hard work for NU, says Solomon

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‘I saw how hardworking my teammates are,’ says NU stalwart Alyssa Solomon of the Lady Bulldogs, the UAAP volleyball queens in three of the last four seasons

MANILA, Philippines – For Alyssa Solomon and the champion NU Lady Bulldogs, there’s still no replacing the building blocks of success, and that includes hard work. 

The 23-year-old Solomon said the Lady Bulldogs’ work ethic and unrelenting attitude in claiming their third championship — all under different coaches — paved the way for NU to extend its dynasty in the UAAP women’s volleyball.

“I saw how hardworking my teammates are. It seemed like whatever you asked them to do, they will do it,” Solomon said in Filipino after the Lady Bulldogs completed a finals series sweep of the La Salle Lady Spikers on Wednesday, May 14. 

“It was our biggest memories. In those hardships, we stayed together, we faced them together, and we found solutions to whatever changes we faced,” she said.

Along with Bella Belen, the Lady Bulldogs dominated the UAAP — and they could have even won four straight crowns had La Salle not spoiled their bid in 2023.

They’re in sync no matter who’s calling the shots, celebrating three title romps even with three different head coaches — Karl Dimaculangan (Season 84), Norman Miguel (Season 86), and Sherwin Meneses (Season 87).

“I think the easy thing is to understand that we have one goal every year, like we only have one thing in mind. And everyone wanted to improve, too,” said Solomon.  

Last season, Solomon bagged the Finals MVP in the Lady Bulldogs’ title series rout of the UST Golden Tigresses. 

In the title-clinching Game 2 of this year’s finals, Solomon again played a key role, dropping 13 points, all from attacks, to help NU breeze past La Salle.

She also finished her UAAP career with two Best Opposite Spiker awards, since entering the collegiate ranks in Season 84. 

Her impressive NU career also brought her numerous opportunities with the Alas Pilipinas national team, and even a potential Korean V-League Asian Quota Draft stint.

“I’m so thankful that I went to NU because I saw how hardworking my teammates were. It sometimes seemed that you’d be the one to be embarrassed whenever you slack off,” Solomon said. 

LOYAL. NU veterans (from left) Erin Pangilinan, Alyssa Solomon, Sheena Toring, and Bella Belen sing their alma mater song.

For Solomon, the NU culture played a major role in her own growth. 

“I think it was a huge factor in my career to have such a hardworking program. I’m so proud of them,” she said. 

Solomon hopes NU’s winning legacy continues even if she bids the team goodbye along with other fellow seniors.

“We saw how mature they are in handling the team, and how they want to take over the role that we’re passing on to them,” Solomon said. – Rappler.com