Creamline’s Erica Staunton and Anastasia Kolomoyets in the course of the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet
MANILA, Philippines — Erica Staunton relished her reference to fellow imports Ana Kudryashova of Russia and Nastia Kolomoyets of Kazakhstan to provide Creamline a profitable debut within the (AVC) Champions League on Sunday at Philsports Enviornment.
Staunton, who led Creamline to a historic grand slam within the 2024 PVL season, picked up the place she left off, pouring in 17 factors constructed on 13 kills, three aces, and a block to win their first Pool A recreation with a 29-27, 25-20, 25-19 sweep of Jordan’s Al Naser Membership.
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The American exterior hitter is honored to play for the Cool Smashers anew and extra importantly, to symbolize the Philippines within the Asian event.
“I feel I’m simply actually excited to have the ability to play with them once more. I’ve been right here for a few weeks, so clearly I used to be watching their video games within the finals and I used to be simply itching to have the ability to be on the court docket with them,” mentioned Staunton. “I’m simply actually excited to be right here taking part in with Creamline but in addition representing the Philippines. I feel that’s actually particular. Total, it’s very surreal and I’m actually glad to be again.”
Erica Staunton and Alyssa Valdez discuss concerning the power of Nastia Kolomoyets and Ana Kudryashova. #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/PqE8Ys8PvW
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 20, 2025
Staunton additionally credited her fellow imports Kudryashova, who had eight factors, and Kolomoyets offering the prompt the bench along with her animated celebrations and eight-point debut for Creamline.
“Nastia, her power is nice. She actually makes me snort. However I feel loads of Creamline’s success has come from simply them with the ability to have enjoyable on the court docket and simply actually take pleasure in taking part in volleyball. So, I feel that them bringing that form of power is basically useful, each Ana and Nastia. However, yeah, Nastia has actually gotten into it and it’s been superior to see,” mentioned Staunton. “I feel total as a complete, simply bringing that optimistic power is form of what Creamline’s entire group tradition is about.”
READ: AVC: Buoyed by crowd, Alyssa Valdez reveals she nonetheless has it
Although they solely had restricted preparation with the Cool Smashers, the Russian exterior hitter relished Creamline’s heat welcome and profitable tradition.
“Our teammates! They’re one of the best, they’re the very best! Each single certainly one of them brings loads of power, even just like the bench, it doesn’t actually matter. Everybody is basically supporting one another and displaying love to one another. It’s very nice taking part in in Creamline and we find it irresistible,” mentioned Kudryashova.
Nastia Kolomoyets and Ana Kudryashova share their ideas after a profitable debut with Creamline. #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/2glof6s1am
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 20, 2025
Kudryashova additionally loved the gang power, too.
“Me and Nastiya, we’ve got by no means performed with such a pleasant crowd, and I by no means skilled so many individuals supporting us, like so many feelings, and that was feeding us in the course of the recreation. It helped us play higher actually, and thanks a lot for coming for each fan,” she added.
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SCHEDULE: Petro Gazz, Creamline, PLDT at 2025 AVC Champions League
Kazakh center blocker Kolomoyets, who additionally loved her expertise, is trying ahead to their subsequent recreation towards Al Zhetysu — their membership rival in her house nation as she and Kudryashova play for VC Kuanysh.
“We’re simply gonna give our coronary heart and soul to simply play one of the best that we will, and consider in our group till the final recreation,” mentioned Kolomoyets.
“We all know this group and it’s going to be a very robust and good recreation to play. We’re simply going to defend Creamline and it doesn’t actually matter that we’re aware of this group. We’re simply going to be skilled, and do all the things that’s in our energy to defend and shield Creamline and defeat Zheytsu,” added Kudryashova.