By MARK REY MONTEJO
Kazakhstan’s Zhetysu VC showed brilliance and smothered Creamline, 25-16, 25-17, 25-17, for a strong start in the 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City Monday, April 21.
Skipper Karyna Denysova and Tatyana Nikitina formed a deadly 1-2 combo on the offensive end for the Kazakh hitters then found ways to neutralize Cool Smashers especially in the third set to open their Pool A run on a high note.
Creamline absorbed its first loss for a 1-1 tally and will await the result of the match between Zhetysu VC (1-0) and Al Naser (0-1) to determine its fate.
The Cool Smashers, though, have a big chance of moving into the next stage after their three-set dominance over Al Naser last Sunday, April 20.
Al Naser must win in straight sets over Zhetysu so it can strengthen its quarters bid. Failing to do so will earn Creamline the coveted spot in the knockout round.
Nikitina stood out for the Kazakh side after listing 14 points – all attacks – while Denysova and Valeriya Yakutina added 12 apiece.
Leading Creamline’s charge was Erica Staunton who had nine points, while reinforcers Anastassiya Kolomoyets and Anastasiya Kudryashova put up six and five points, respectively.
Alyssa Valdez had a quiet four-point performance after finishing with 10 points in the Cool Smashers’ rout of the Jordanian-based Al Naser.
