De La Salle Lipa emerged as the first-ever champion of the Fletcher League volleyball tournament after defeating De La Salle-Zobel, 25-18, 25-21, in the final match held Wednesday, June 25, at the Playtime FilOil Centre.

The one-day high school girls volleyball showcase featured six schools from the De La Salle system: Lipa, Zobel, Manila, Laguna, Green Hills, and the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI). The event aimed to enhance game experience and deepen camaraderie across the Lasallian volleyball community.

Lipa, fresh from representing CALABARZON in the Palarong Pambansa, demonstrated its depth with a flawless performance led by Star MVP Althea Sumague. The Green Stallions capped their unbeaten run by fending off a strong challenge from La Salle-Zobel, who topped Pool B by sweeping DLSMHSI and La Salle Green Hills.

Claudia Cojuangco, Fletcher League founder and manager of the De La Salle University Women’s Volleyball Team, emphasized the league’s vision: “This league is all about creating more opportunities for our La Salle teams to grow through playing with each other… We want to build a tradition that celebrates our athletes and helps strengthen volleyball across all our La Salle campuses.”

De La Salle-Manila rounded out the podium with a hard-fought 25-9, 22-25, 25-19 win over DLSMHSI to take third place.

Individual awardees of the tournament included:

• Star MVP: Althea Sumague (De La Salle Lipa)

• Best Libero: Arianne Kiel Olbes (De La Salle Lipa)

• Best 1st Outside Hitter: Kylie Celada (De La Salle-Zobel)

• Best 2nd Middle Blocker: Azalia Araxo (De La Salle-Zobel)

• Best Opposite Hitter: Aislinn Alemaña (De La Salle-Zobel)

• Best 2nd Outside Hitter: Mikee Santos (De La Salle-Manila)

• Best Setter: Eshena Rose Nunag (De La Salle-Manila)

• Best 1st Middle Blocker: Estela Dabu (DLSMHSI)

The event was also graced by Lady Spikers alumni from various De La Salle high schools, further solidifying the system’s unity and commitment to grassroots sports development.

Co-organized by Thought Lab and Grid Athletic, and in partnership with the De La Salle schools, the Fletcher League volleyball tournament is set to be a recurring platform combining athletic excellence, program development, and fundraising support for the participating teams.