MARYHILL College’s players never showed any rigors of travel from Lucena to Manila and back on both days of the weekend as they swept their matches in the Philippine National Volleyball Federation (PNVF) Under-18 Championships at the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

A one-way trip from Lucena to Manila usually takes four hours.

“Everybody struggled and adjusted in our first game last Saturday, but we performed better today [Sunday],” Maryhill College coach Joannes Rey Supnit said.

On Saturday, Maryhill College’s team also motored to Manila and beat Junction Youth Organization (JYO) of Los Banos, 25-14,25-20, and returned to Lucena City after the match.

On Sunday morning, they went through the same routine and defeated New Gen Volleyball Club of Santa Cruz (Laguna), 25-8, 25-10, to go 2-0 won-lost in girls’ Pool A.

The reason for the Lucena City girls’ dynamic enthusiasm?

“The players are excited because most of them are first-timers to play here in Manila,” said Supnit, minutes before he and the girls boarded a bus back to Lucena City Sunday.

“It’s amazing to see the enthusiasm of these girls from the provincial teams,” PNVF president Ramon “Tats” Suzara said. “The federation is inspired by their love of our sport.”

Team captain Claire Castillo, Icon Maravilla, and Closer Losloso—all 17 years old—showcased a steady game for Maryhill College in the tournament supported by the Philippine Olympic Committee, Philippine Sports Commission, PLDT, Rebisco and Akari.

“Our setter [Losloso] played both games well despite the struggle and lack of sleep and rest,” Supnit said. “We’re very thankful for the support of Sister Rowena Labitigan [school official] and our coordinator Willie Pagsuyuin [team sponsor].”

PNVF finance head Rommel Bernardez was amazed by how Maryhill College’s young players responded to the revived under-18 tournament and said “these girls have a bright future in volleyball.”

Volida Volleyball Club emerged as the third girls’ team to go 2-0 following its 25-18, 25-18 victory over Ateneo de Manila University in Pool D on Sunday.

California Precision Sports of Antipolo City is also unbeaten in Pool C.

In other girls’ results Sunday, Angeles City beat Nagcarlan Laguna, 25-18, 15-25, 25-23, in Pool B, and Santa Rosa City bounced back in Pool C after defeating Marikina Titans Volleyball Club, 25-11, 25-15.

The boys’ Saturday results saw Santa Rosa City whip Makati City, 27-25, 25-20, in Pool A; Queen Anne School beat JYO, 25-10, 25-10, in Pool D; and Hermosa Volleyball Club defeat Parañaque City High School, 25-18, 25-16, in Pool C.