Mika Reyes and the Sta. Lucia Lady Realtors couldn’t wait to get back into competition when the Premier Volleyball League Open Conference fires off on July 17 in Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.

The 27-year-old spiker admitted to having mixed emotions after she and her fellow local volleyball players have been sidelined for more than a year due to the pandemic.

Reyes, who has been with the team since last year, said she would miss playing before an energetic crowd as the tournament will apply a “No Audience” policy under the bubble-type setup to adhere with health protocols.

“Ever since naman po, malaking tulong talaga ang crowd sakin. Nakaka-boost ng confidence especially kapag sobrang active ng crowd at nakakadagdag din ng intensity sa match,” said Reyes, 27.

“Kaya hindi ko rin po alam kung anong ine-expect ko sa ganitong setup na walang audience. We're really happy to be back but at the same time siyempre, mami-miss po namin yun.”

Reyes also doesn’t know what to expect from the competition itself as most teams have beefed up their roster with various acquisitions.

Not to mention the fact that they are now playing in the professional league.

“Andami rin po kasing mga nabagong teams, mga recruits, kaya sa tingin ko unpredictable din po itong Conference na to,” she said.

The Lady Realtors have been in bubble training for the past two months in Cainta, Rizal. Reyes said somehow, the training setup also prepared them for the tournament bubble where they will be away from their family for almost two months.

“Isang beses lang din kami nakauwi from our families ngayong training, so parang in a way, napapaghandaan na rin po namin kung ano yung feeling ng nasa bubble,” Reyes said.

She admitted it was tough not being able to train and compete during the pandemic, but was thankful that she had constant communication with her teammates.

“First five months, parang motivated ka pa and all kasi we get to spend more time with our family and at home. But habang tumatagal, nakaka-drain na rin,” Reyes said.

“To be honest, binreak ko talaga yung routine ko. I stopped working out. I gave myself time to relax. I'm glad na mga teammates ko, especially yung management, we keep in touch. In a way, medyo less yung bigat in dealing with the situation.”

Apart from achieving every team’s goal of making it on top, Reyes prayed for the whole league’s success and safety.

“For me yung pinaka-importante, yung safety ng lahat ng taong involved sa league. Less injuries, better health,” she said.