Alohi Robins-Hardy taps on new role as UP women’s volleyball assistant coach

Veteran setter Alohi Robins-Hardy has joined the coaching staff of the University of the Philippines women’s volleyball team for the UAAP Season 87, which will begin in February 2025.

The UP Office for Athletics and Sports Development on Wednesday, November 21, announced the new role of Robins-Hardy as one of the assistant coaches for the Fighting Maroons.

The 28-year-old Filipina-American has been assigned to supervise the growth of promising playmaker Heart Magsombol as UP seeks to strengthen its foundation under first-year head coach Benson Bocboc.

Robins-Hardy was set to play for Farm Fresh in the 2024-25 All-Filipino Conference, but PVL administrators denied her admittance into the league, stating that she must first participate in the annual draft process.

She brings a wealth of experience to the table after having previously played for United Volleyball Club-Cocolife and later Cignal in the now-defunct Philippine Super Liga, where she helped the team capture a silver medal and was named Best Setter during the league’s All-Filipino Conference in 2019.

Additionally, she participated in the national team’s bronze run in the 2019 Asean Grand Prix — now rebranded as the SEA V.League.

Robin-Hardy’s arrival is seen as a major boost to UP’s revitalized roster, which features a mix of seasoned players such as Nina Ytang, Nica Celis, and Irah Jaboneta, alongside talented youngsters Kianne Olango, Yesha Noceja, and Jolthea Mae Ramos.

The Fighting Maroons are looking to exhibit their improvement as they seek to rise from a lone win campaign in Season 86.