Kianna Dy returns to the starting six for the first time since joining the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
Three months after making her long-awaited return to the Taraflex, Kianna Dy has hit another milestone in her lengthy recovery process from a knee injury.
As PLDT opened their AVC Champions League run on Sunday, Dy was named part of the starting six in their 25-19, 25-12, 25-12 victory over the Queensland Pirates, finishing with four points on two kills and two rejections to go along with three excellent digs.
This serves as the 29-year-old’s first start since July 20, 2023, which was met with loud cheers at the Philsports Arena once her name was announced during the routine pre-game introductions against Queensland.
“Yeah, it feels good, and we’ve been training na ako magsa-start. And it just feels good to feel the court again, with Wilma and my teammates,” Dy said along the sidelines after the victory.
Dy’s return to the starting six also showcased her much-improved leap since returning from injury, which included an impressive combination play that sealed PLDT’s Set 1 victory over their Australian foes.
Despite this major progress, however, the 29-year-old remains focused on the bigger picture, which is expanding her game further as an opposite hitter.
“I would say I’m not yet a hundred percent, and I’m still…syempre, you want to improve every day, diba? And I’m trying to improve how I played before, so every day is still an opportunity to get better, and continue lang ang rehab para ‘di na ma-injure,” said Dy, who estimated herself to be at “85 percent” in terms of full recovery.
On top of this, she is confident that playing in a high-level tourney like the AVC Champions League will no doubt give her and the High Speed Hitters countless lessons they can apply once they return to the PVL.
“Actually, magandang opportunity ito for us to get experience also coming into the next conferences, so good opportunity for everyone to experience this, and playing against everyone na international teams.”
Big addition
For PLDT head coach Rald Ricafort, Kianna Dy’s return to the starting lineup is part of a step-by-step process to manage her recovery from the knee injury.
After spending 559 days off the court, Dy made her surprise return last January in PLDT’s 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference matchup against the Cignal HD Spikers, and spent the rest of the conference being given limited minutes off the High Speed Hitters’ bench.
“Kahit naman nung last conference, big addition talaga na ma–kumpleto ‘yung lineup namin,” Ricafort said. “Ayun nga, with Kianna na mina-manage namin ‘yung playing time niya last conference, ‘yung presence na pasulpot-sulpot siya, very important samin.”
But why give her the starting nod now? It was a simple case of perfect timing, according to the second-year PLDT head coach.
“Ayun lang talaga this time, since nakaka-recover na fully, gusto namin ibigay ‘yung opportunity sa kanya.”
Now that she’s made another huge leap into her recovery journey, Dy looks to further regain her confidence on top of improving her chemistry with the rest of PLDT.
“Kasi hindi naman ako sanay mag-start, especially since it’s a new team, I’ve been with a different team [with F2 Logistics] and new teammates, so adjustment lang sa training and pagje-jell lang,” the former DLSU star concluded.
Banner images courtesy of the Premier Volleyball League.