THE GRETCHEL Soltones-led San Sebastian Lady Stags will try to shake off the rust from a week-long break and resume their drive for the NCAA crown when they battle St. Benilde in the women’s volleyball finals today at the Arena in San Juan.
Soltones, the young lady from Catmon by way of Pajo National High School in Lapu-Lapu City who has since blossomed into one of the country’s best volleyball players, will be at the fore of San Sebastian’s attack as it seeks to reclaim the crown it last held in 2011.
In all, the Lady Stags have amassed 24 women’s crowns, including six straight from 2006 to 2011.
San Sebastian will be coming into the match well-rested after sweeping the elimination round over a week ago to gain outright entry into the finals. In doing so, the Lady Stags also got a thrice-to-beat advantage, meaning they only need to win twice to capture the title.
The Lady Blazers, on the other hand, survived the grueling stepladder semis with wins over Perpetual Help and last year’s champion Arellano University.
St. Benilde is aiming to buck the odds and hoist their first NCAA women’s crown.
It is the third time San Sebastian and St. Benilde are playing in the finals. San Sebastian won in two matches in 2008 and scored a 2-1 series win in 2009.