KKD is on the mend, and her sole focus is to return like she never left.
Fans were pretty upbeat when the PLDT High Speed Hitters posted photos of newly-recruited opposite spiker Kim Kianna Dy standing in workout gear and inside the court.
It was actually the first time she was doing drills after significant time off.
“I’m slowly adjusting because I haven’t been really doing court training for about four months,” Dy told One Sports after their January 17 practice. “Yesterday was the first, coming from an injury.”
The time off didn't exactly ruin Kianna's technique as she looked to be doing pretty well during the drills, doing a bit of the hops and a little bit of the runs.
“Super exciting actually,” she admitted. “Kahit sabi nila na take it slow, for me gusto ko na mag-training kasi first day. Pretty exciting.”
Probably erring on the side of caution, Dy did opt out of the mini-scrimmages, choosing to speak to coach Rald Ricafort on the sidelines while watching her new teammates.
“I’m still doing exercises to strengthen my knee. I don’t want to be re-injured. Better din to be sure, especially if it’s the knee.”
It took a lot of willpower for KKD to get to the point where she is now, after that fateful match against the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2023 PVL Invitational Conference round robin semifinals. the game where she got hurt.
“Rehab for me, you really need a lot of patience. You see your teammates training, and you can’t,” she expressed.
It was especially painful for Dy, as the F2 Logistics Cargo Movers disbanded during her rehab period. Kianna never played in what was F2 Logistics final conference in the PVL.
“Medyo sad because I wasn’t able to play with my teammates last season… so my last F2 game was the Creamline game,” she said.
KKD was a star spiker for F2 Logistics, a team she called home for eight years. It was a true familiar place, since most of the Cargo Movers carried over from their days as DLSU Lady Spikers.
But PLDT is not an entirely unfamiliar team for Dy. Aside from playing with former Cargo Movers in Majoy Baron and Kim Fajardo, she will also be linking up with DLSU alumni in Mika Reyes and Erika Santos.
“I feel like it’s a sign na rin for me to grow as an athlete, learn new things from different teammates. There’s a lot more to learn in volleyball,” she said.
One factor in her decision was the familiarity with the players of PLDT.
“It’s super easy to get along with my teammates which made it a super easy transition,” Kianna said.
Another factor is the fact that former DLSU teammate Mika Reyes and PLDT have long been in pursuit of her for a team up.
“‘Yun din naging factor, that consistency that they really want to get me, like they really want,” Dy noted. “I mainly chose the team where I feel I would fit or where I see that I’m needed.”
So for now, as the big transfer move is done, KKD puts her attention on getting back on the court. But not just to get back, the focus is to return like she never left.
“To play 100% for me is what I’m focusing on. It’s not just one skill, it’s everything.”