After notching four consecutive victories, the La Salle Lady Spikers have solidified their grip on the number one spot in the UAAP Season 80 women's volleyball tournament and became the first team to secure at least a playoff for a Final Four slot.
For helping the two-time defending champions stretch their win streak and stay on top, Kim Kianna Dy earned the UAAP Press Corps Player of the Week citation.
The veteran utility spiker was instrumental in La Salle's victories over University of the Philippines Lady Maroons and Far Eastern University this week.
In the Lady Spikers' commanding 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 sweep of the Lady Maroons on Wednesday, Dy showcased her offensive arsenal as she tallied five spikes, five aces, and four blocks for 14 points. She led her team to a scoring barrage from the service zone, taking full advantage of their opponent's spotty reception.
La Salle was aggressive throughout the contest but the Season 78 Finals MVP admitted that they were not yet satisfied with their performance.
"There were times that we're able to establish a huge lead, then we allow our opponents to inch closer. That's one thing that we need to work on. It's a work in progress," Dy said.
This 'work in progress' was tested on Sunday in their nail-biting win against the Lady Tamaraws, 25-17, 21-25, 16-25, 25-20, 15-5. The Lady Spikers were late to adjust to FEU's game plan, and it's only in the fifth set that they were able to assert their strength.
"Our mindset coming into the fifth set was to take the lead early. FEU is very aggressive when it's a close game, so our game plan was to stay ahead of them," said Dy, who unloaded 18 points built on 15 spikes.
The graduating volleybelle took it upon herself to spearhead the charge in the deciding set. She made crucial hits down the stretch, which sparked the incredible 10-2 closing run that put away the Lady Tams for good.
Dy averages 13.4 points per outing, good for sixth-best in scoring next to Sisi Rondina of UST, Tots Carlos of UP, Jaja Santiago of NU, Bernadeth Pons of FEU, and Isa Molde of UP.