Creamline Cool Smashers in the AVC Champions League.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Zhetsyu VC maximized its length and skill in a quick and calculated demolition of the Creamline Cool Smashers, 25-16, 25-17, 25-17, in the AVC Women’s Champions League on Monday night.
Visibly head and shoulders above the Filipinos, the nine-time Kazakhstan women’s volleyball league champions were practically dominant from start to finish, opening their campaign on an auspicious note.
Karina Denisova and Tatyana Niktina pummeled the Creamline floor without letup while middle blocker Kristina Anikonova had several block kills, silencing the home crowd that came over to the Philsports Arena and cheered for the winningest Filipino squad in the PVL.
READ: AVC: Creamline imports connect right away in opening win
Zhetysu coach Marko Gršić after beating Creamline. #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/qRBokykOmz
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025
“They’re a good team, very tall and skilled players. I guess we have to polish a lot of things on our side,” said Creamline team captain Alyssa Valdez.
One more victory over Jordan’s Al Naser on Tuesday and Zhetsyu VC are on their way to a sure spot in the crossover quarterfinals.
But other than their skill and height advantage, the Kazakhs already had a detailed scouting of the Cool Smashers coming in, including Creamline’s three imports—American Erica Staunton, Russian outside hitter Anastasya Kudryashova and middle blocker Anastassiya Kolomoyets from Kazakhstan.
“We won against a very good opponent. Before we arrived here in the Philippines, I watched the championship (between Creamline and Petro Gazz),” said Zhetsyu coach Marko Grsic.
The Petro Gazz Angels dislodged the Cool Smashers as reigning champions in the recent PVL All-Filipino Conference.
READ: AVC: Buoyed by crowd, Alyssa Valdez shows she still has it
Creamline coach Sherwin Meneses, Ana Kudryashova, and Bernadeth Pons after their first loss. #AVCChampionsLeague @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/zIaGHTsAIT
— Lance Agcaoili (@LanceAgcaoilINQ) April 21, 2025
“I saw every player and I already knew them, their qualities and all they can do. We are very prepared for this match,” said Grsic.
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The Cool Smashers got the better of Al Naser on Sunday, hoping that Zhetsyu replicates the act versus the Jordanians for a trouble-free entry into the next phase.
“We learned so much in this game and we hope to bring this to the quarterfinals. At the end of the day, we have to stick to our system and listen to our coaches,” said Valdez.
“We have two more days to adjust (before the quarterfinals) and we should bring our own chemistry,” added the three-time PVL MVP.
