MANILA, Philippines – De La Salle University has the best program in UAAP women's volleyball. Thus, the Lady Spikers are still going to contend even after losing the heart and soul of their team.

Last season's record: 11-3

What happened in Season 79?

Kim Fajardo's decision to return for her final playing year was not unexpected, but it was still a massive relief for the De La Salle Lady Spikers. In Fajardo, La Salle had one of the best setters in the league – one of the best players, period – and a proven leader who was adored and respected by her teammates.

The Lady Spikers were always going to contend, given the strength of Ramil de Jesus's program. But with Fajardo back, they again became favorites to win the title in Season 79.

Getting back to the top was not easy, however. La Salle still had to deal with the loss of Ara Galang, Mika Reyes, and Cyd Demecillo, and at the same time, they integrated three new players into their starting line-up. They lost in shocking fashion to University of the Philippines in their third game, with the Lady Maroons winning in straight sets.

More concerning was how the La Salle struggled against its rival, Ateneo de Manila University, during the elimination round. In their first round meeting, the Lady Spikers were uncharacteristically shaky in crunch time, failing to closer out the Lady Eagles despite building big leads. In the second round, the Lady Spikers again lost even though Ateneo was playing sans its top hitter in Jhoana Maraguinot.

Come the playoffs, however, everything came together for the Lady Spikers. They dismissed University of Santo Tomas in the Final 4, then swept the Lady Eagles in two games in the finals. It was their second straight championship and 10th overall.

• LOOK: UAAP Season 80 volleyball schedule

Key losses: Kim Fajardo
Key returnees: Dawn Macandili, Kianna Dy, Majoy Baron, Desiree Cheng

Now what?

For any other program, losing a setter of Fajardo's caliber is a blow that will take them some time to recover from. But no team is as equipped to weather the loss of a star player as much as La Salle.

Stepping into Fajardo's position is Michelle Cobb, who saw some minutes last year towards the end of blowout games, or in situations when De Jesus felt his team needed a change of pace.

"Last year, my role was to deliver quality minutes, "Cobb said. "But now, he (De Jesus) made it clear that I should accept a very big role, because someone left a really a big mark."

Replacing a three-time Best Setter like Fajardo is a tall task for anyone, especially in a team like La Salle. Nevertheless, several things work out in Cobb's favor.

First, she is not expected to play like Fajardo. "I actually told her na her style of playing is different from Ate Kim," said Kianna Dy, La Salle's star utility spiker.

Second, Cobb has a bevy of veteran teammates who are there to take the pressure off her. Libero Dawn Macandili, fresh off a busy offseason, can be counted on for solid first balls all game long. La Salle's spikers have shown they can adjust to any type of set as well.

Indeed, it can be argued that the pressure is not on Cobb but on La Salle's trio of graduating players – Dy, reigning MVP Majoy Baron, and Macandili. All of them are established stars in the UAAP, and Macandili has proven herself on an international stage as well.

They have different positions on the court, but all three will have to fill in the leadership void that Fajardo left upon her graduation.

"Together namin hina-handle 'yung team," said Dy, the Season 78 Finals MVP. "We have our own strengths on how to lead, different ways on how to lead."

What can we expect?

La Salle has the best women's volleyball program in the country. They've won 10 titles in 20 years, and they've made the finals nine times in a row. Ramil de Jesus's team has set such a high bar for itself, that anything short of another championship appearance should be a disappointment.

In Season 80, the Lady Spikers should be expected to make another deep playoff run. Outside of setter, they have proven players in every position. And given how De Jesus and his staff develop their players, it should be no surprise if Cobb proves herself almost immediately.

La Salle opens its title defense on February 3 against University of Santo Tomas.

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