Rookie jitters may be a thing for most, but not for Kyla Atienza.
The Philippine Women's National Volleyball Team libero dazzled in her international debut despite dropping a tough one against Vietnam, 19-25, 17-25, 29-31, to open their 2022 PNVF AVC Cup for Women campaign on Sunday.
For the Creamline-backed national squad, it was all "good vibes", as their mantra in the Cool Smashers says, after the defeat.
After all, they provided one great challenge to the all-out Vietnam.
“Sobrang proud. Sobrang happy ko lang sa loob ng court kasi lumaban po kami kahit na hindi kami ganung kakumpleto kasi alam naman po talaga namin yung bonding namin as a team,” said Atienza after the one hour, forty-one minute action at Philsports Arena.
And she, the international newbie, was a big part of why the Philippines shocked its foes in the first two sets, zooming to early leads.
Her unmatched floor defense and overall impressive performance did not go unnoticed after the match when shouts of "Kyla! Kyla!" echoed inside the historic arena.
"Sobrang nakakaproud. Sobrang nakakataba po ng puso, lalo na pagnakikita namin yung mga fans na nag-checheer po. Sobrang masaya po ako ngayon," said the 25-year-old Far Eastern University product.
The defensive specialist was at the receiving end of powerful attacks from Vietnam captain and superstar Thi Thanh Thuy Tran among others.
And Atienza was surely amazed of the prowess of Vietnam even though she manned the Philippine defense greatly.
"Sobrang galing po nila, and sobrang... for me it was a good experience din po and exposure na makalaro ng ibang bansa po."
Atienza and the whole national team will be tested anew on Tuesday when they face five-time AVC champion China at 7 pm.
