Vanessa Sarie has been making her own mark in just her first year with Colegio de San Juan de Letran.
In the Lady Knights' first game in NCAA Season 100 against Jose Rizal University, the rookie from Camarines Sur had 22 points and eight digs, followed by another 22-point outing against Mapua University to lead Letran's 2-0 start.
For now, however, Sarie is still learning the ropes of playing in the NCAA under head coach Oliver Almadro.
"Siyempre, rookie pa lang ako, so nandoon ang learning namin sa laro, ganito ganyan, gawin mo 'to, aralin mo 'to. Sinasabi niya (Almadro) sa amin na mag-aral sa game para maging matured," Sarie told GMA News Online.
While treating the past games as a learning experience, the rookie outside hitter from Naga College Foundation is also adjusting with her new chapter in Manila.
"Sa una, siyempre po mahirap. Pero, andun 'yung environment na maiiba ka. Kasi, Bicol is parang andun 'yung vibes mo eh. Pero, yung Manila kasi sobrang layo ng ano niya sa probinsya. So, ang adjustment ko lang po is naging matapang lang ako sa lahat," Sarie said.
With all the new experiences and lessons coming in her life as she starts her young career, Sarie said she is happy but also feels pressure, especially as the Letran women's volleyball team has not won the title since 1999.
"'Happy and so far pressured pa rin kasi parang 'yung Letran kasi sobrang tagal nang hindi mag-champion, so andun ang pride namin na uhaw kami mag-champion pero one step at a time kami every game. Hindi kami kumpiyansa na pupunta kami sa championship pero tinatrabaho namin 'yun," she said.
Sarie, however, has a lot of people to rely on, especially with fellow Bicolanos such as Pearl Brago and Hizki Flores in the team.
"'Yung dati kong mga teammates and so far mga ate ko ngayon, 'yun ang tumutulong sa akin para tumapang ako sa game and ma-boost ang confidence ko para makatulong ako sa team."
—GMA Integrated News
