Cepada and the Lady Warriors mean business this season.
The UE Lady Warriors posted just one win last UAAP Season 85.
Despite their lackluster season, several of the Lady Warriors impressed many fans, and the hope is their potential can carry more wins in the years to come.
Among those who flashed brilliance is incoming sophomore Khy Cepada.
Cepada starred in UE’s lone win last season, bagging 19 big points against the UP Fighting Maroons.
And while Season 85 was tough, a brand new season comes with a fresh start for Cepada and the Lady Warriors.
If there’s something she took away from last year’s competition, it’s her eagerness to face some of the biggest names in the collegiate volleyball scene.
“Siguro 'yung tapang na meron ako last year, kasi takot ako eh like mga big names sa ibang school,” Cepada told One Sports. “Basta mga big names na kilala talaga sa volleyball world, so 'yung dadalhin ko ngayon na meron ako last season is 'yung tapang talaga sa paglalaro.”
Another exciting thing to look forward to for the Lady Warriors is the brand of volleyball that veteran head coach Jerry Yee will bring to the team.
Last year, Yee led the Adamson Lady Falcons to their first time Final Four appearance since Season 76. UE hopes he can sprinkle some of that magic with the Lady Warriors.
Of course, adjusting to Yee’s system is no easy feat, but Cepada knows that they must make the sacrifice to improve as a team.
“Like everyone, change is mahirap talaga. Nung una, hindi talaga madali para sa aming lahat kasi nakaka-panibago 'yung system. Hindi siya common dito sa Philippines na system, so kailangan talaga naming mag-adjust kung ano 'yun,” said Cepada.
[ALSO READ: UE taps Jerry Yee as coach: ‘His leadership will steer UE in new direction’]
As the opening of Season 86 nears, the Lady Warriors will be out to prove that they can go toe-to-toe against the rest of the competition.