MANILA, Philippines — Mikole Reyes — sister of former La Salle middle blocker and PVL star Mika — continues to embrace the huge responsibility as the Lady Spikers’ main setter in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament.

Reyes paced La Salle with 23 excellent sets on top of three points to lead La Salle past the University of the East, 25-12, 23-25, 25-14, 25-17, for a 3-2 record with their first back-to-back wins of the season on Saturday at Mall of Asia Arena.

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The younger Reyes admitted it’s not easy to embrace the pivotal role as a rookie setter but she’s getting there with the help of the Lady Spikers and coach Ramil De Jesus.

“Little by little, I feel like I’m getting the hang of it with every game. Especially with the help of the ates, they’re always there to support me. They help me during times when my game is off,” said Reyes in Filipino.

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The rookie setter is grateful to learn from 12-time champion coach De Jesus, who has been encouraging her to keep on trusting her self like her teammates do.

Mikole Reyes and the La Salle Lady Spikers in the UAAP Season 87 women’s volleyball tournament. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

“I think it’s all about trust and confidence. I just remind myself that the older players (ates) are always there to support me. As for me, I just focus on giving my best,” she said.

Mikole’s biggest support is her family and Mika, who came from the program of De Jesus and the Lady Spikers.

Competing in the UAAP as one of the Taft Towers, the PLDT High Speed Hitter star said her sister just has to trust the process and take it one game at a time.

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“We’re just really happy, of course, because it’s a big opportunity for her to grow both as a person and as a player. We always remind her that we’re here to support her, no matter what happens. And I always tell her to just enjoy every day,” Mika told reporters.

The former national team star believes her younger sister’s edge in the UAAP is her perseverance. 

“I think her perseverance really stands out—her hard work and dedication,” Reyes said. “Just like me, she didn’t start with a lot of experience in volleyball, even in high school. This is probably the biggest thing she’s been a part of. So, it’s all about her persistence every day. The past few years of training have been tough for her, and now she finally has the chance to test herself, since she’s been given the opportunity to play.”

The rookie setter, meanwhile, believes she still has a lot to learn but a lot to offer for La Salle, which seeks to redeem itself after getting dethroned in the Final Four last year.

“I’m still confident that I have more to show. In this game, you can still see my lapses as a setter, but it’s really about trusting myself and my teammates so that we can continue progressing,” Mikole said.