Just a little over a week removed from a stinging Finals defeat in the 2024-25 PVL All-Filipino Conference, the Creamline Cool Smashers are wasting no time licking their wounds — instead, they’re rewriting the script on the continental stage.
With redemption on their minds and a title chase in their hearts, Creamline entered the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League reloaded and reinforced, making full use of their three import slots. Leading the charge is American powerhouse Erica Staunton, a key cog in the team’s Grand Slam campaign last year. But this time, she’s joined by two fresh faces: 6-foot-4 Russian outside hitter Anastasya Kudryashova and 6-foot Kazakh middle blocker Anatassiya Kolomoyets.
The towering trio made an immediate impact on Sunday, spearheading Creamline’s straight-set domination of Jordan’s Al Naser, 29-27, 25-20, 25-19, at the Philsports Arena in Pasig — a win that edged them closer to a coveted quarterfinals slot.
Staunton played with her signature fire, dropping 17 points to lead all scorers. But the spotlight was generously shared, with Kudryashova making a strong debut with nine points, and Kolomoyets adding eight in her own Cool Smashers coming-out party.
The infusion of talent has not only elevated Creamline’s ceiling but also redefined its chemistry. For team captain Alyssa Valdez, the impact of Kudryashova and Kolomoyets has been just as transformative off the court as it has been on it.
“It was kind of a good balance for our team. Ana being that younger addition to the team, being a little bit more serious, but Nastia [Kolomoyets] is the one who’s giving us the energy even if she’s the more experienced also in terms of playing volleyball,” said Valdez, who chipped in 10 points of her own on seven attacks.
“Definitely, as a team, we’re learning so much from them—may it be like skills, but definitely the character and personality you put on and off the court. They’re really good additions to the team.”
Staunton, now on her second tour of duty with the Cool Smashers, echoed Valdez’s appreciation for the new additions and the refreshing dynamic they bring.
“I think that them bringing that kind of energy is really helpful, both Ana and Nastia. But, yeah, Nastia has really gotten into it and it's been awesome to see. But, yeah, I think overall as a whole, just bringing that positive energy is kind of what Creamline's whole team culture is about,” she shared.
Interestingly, Kudryashova and Kolomoyets aren’t just Creamline teammates — they’re also teammates back home with VC Kuanysh in the Kazakhstan Women’s Volleyball League (KWVL), and that chemistry translated effortlessly on the floor.
Their next test? A battle against a familiar foe in Zhetysu VC, the nine-time champions of the KWVL. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with a spot in the semifinals — and ultimately, a ticket to the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championship — on the line.
Despite the high-pressure setting and the familiarity with their next opponents, both Kudryashova and Kolomoyets remain focused, grounded, and determined to carry Creamline’s banner with pride.
“We know this team and it’s going to be a really tough and nice game to play. We’re just going to defend Creamline and it doesn’t really matter that we’re familiar with this team. We’re just going to be professional, and do everything that’s in our power to defend and protect Creamline and defeat Zheytsu,” said Kudryashova.
“We’re just gonna give our heart and soul to just play the best that we can, and believe in our team until the very last game,” Kolomoyets added.
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