The UP Lady Fighting Maroons inched out the Ateneo Lady Eagles to seal a spot in the Final Four of the UAAP 81 Beach Volleyball tournament.

It was the Battle of Katipunan as the Maroons faced off with the Eagles in the playoff round of the women’s volleyball division at the Sands SM By The Bay, Friday.

Tied at three wins apiece, UP secured the final slot of the volleyball semifinals by defeating the duo of Ponggay Gaston and Jules Samonte who pulled a win against them in the eliminations.

Isa Molde, Justine Dorog, and Rosie Rosier proved to be stronger than the other squad, downing them in two straight sets, 21-19 and 21-19.

The playoff win comes on the heels of a loss against second-ranked team, DLSU. The UPWVT fought hard but fell short with a 21-17, 21-14 score.

Earlier in the final day of eliminations, the Lady Maroons trampled the UE Lady Warriors with a commanding win, 21-17, 21-11.

With the W against Ateneo, UP joins the stepladder semis with National University Lady Bulldogs and the DLSU Lady Spikers.

Molde, Dorog, and Rosier will be facing NU on Saturday (Oct 6) at 9:00am for their first semifinal match. If they win, the Lady Maroons will face DLSU next at 11:00am. Games will all be held at the Sands SM By The Bay.