National University-Nazareth School’s standout player Yesha Noceja is determined to lead the National Capital Region (NCR) team to a ‘three-peat’ victory in the Palarong Pambansa girls’ volleyball tournament in Marikina. Noceja, who helped her school win the UAAP Season 85 girls’ volleyball championship, is eager to bounce back after disappointing finishes in previous tournaments.
The Lady Bullpups failed to secure a podium finish in the Shakey’s Girls Volleyball Invitational League and settled for silver in the Luzon cluster 2 pre-qualifying after losing to the California Academy. However, Noceja sees these setbacks as motivation for the upcoming Palaro tournament.
Noceja expressed her determination to make a comeback, stating, “We want to bounce back because our morale went down after the Shakey’s tournament. We really need to work hard and improve our game for Palaro.”
Despite a loss to Western Visayas in their first game, NCR bounced back with a victory over Central Luzon. Noceja, an incoming Grade 12 student, is focused on improving her performance to help NCR extend their reign in girls’ volleyball. NCR has won the championship in 2018 and 2019 and aims to continue their dominance this year.
Noceja and her team are aiming to follow the same path they took in the UAAP, replicating their success in Palarong Pambansa after a long hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The young spiker emphasized the importance of not succumbing to pressure and enjoying the game, trusting in their coaches’ guidance.
As scouts and coaches watch the matches in the national tournament, Noceja remains focused on winning for her team. She stated, “It’s just an extra for me if other coaches notice me. What’s important is my game, what I show on the court. I want our team to be champions and show my true skills.”
Noceja’s dedication and determination will be crucial for NCR as they aspire to maintain their championship streak and reclaim their position as the top girls’ volleyball team in the country.
