Soltones brings act to Akari

Akari brought in another muscle at the wing spot after signing veteran power-hitter Grethcel Soltones to reinforce the Chargers for the coming 2024 Premier Volleyball League.

The club formally announced the addition of the 28-year-old open spiker on Wednesday, 3 January, as it joined the frantic arms race ahead of the league's season-opening tournament beginning 17 February.

Soltones, a three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association Most Valuable Player, parted ways with Petro Gazz after three years of service.

The San Sebastian College product, who helped Petro Gazz rule the 2022 Reinforced Conference, will add experience and maturity to the Chargers composed mostly of young talents led by open hitter Faith Nisperos.

Soltones will provide another scoring option for prized setter Michelle Cobb and will solidify Akari's floor defense with her defensive prowess to back liberos Justine Jazareno and Bang Pineda.

The Cebuana standout averaged 13.8 points in her last stint with the Angels in the PVL 2^nd All-Filipino Conference. The 2017 PVL Open Conference Finals Most Valuable Player normed 2.52 digs per set and had an impressive 31.25 efficiency percentage in reception to showcase her all-around game in the previous tournament.

Soltones is also expected to join hands with seasoned opposite hitter Dindin Santiago-Manabat in leading the young and promising squad, which is entering its fifth conference since making its debut in the 2022 Reinforced Conference.

Akari, which is yet to announce its replacement for resigned Brazilian coach Jorge Souza de Brito, finished the 2^nd AFC in seventh place with a 5-6 win-loss record.