Russian, Kazakh beef up Creamline

Creamline is ramping up its roster with two more high-caliber reinforcements ahead of the 2025 AVC Women’s Club Championship set from 20 to 27 April at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Joining American wing spiker Erica Staunton are Kazakhstan’s Anastassiya Kolomoyets and Russia’s Anastasiya Kudryashova, both formerly of VC Kuanysh in the Kazakhstan Women’s National League.

Their arrival was confirmed Tuesday by the Cool Smashers, who expressed excitement in a spirited social media post.

“Mga ka-vibes, we’ve really got more good vibes to serve dahil nadagdagan pa ang ating mga smashing idols in the court! Not just 1, but 2 pa,” (Ka-vibes, we’ve got even more good vibes coming your way as our roster of smashing idols on the court just got even bigger — not just one, but two!).

Creamline head coach Sherwin Meneses said the two foreign players landed in the country at around 3 a.m. last Sunday.

Based on a social media story by the Cool Smashers veteran Michele Gumabao, the new imports also wasted no time immersing themselves to local culture — trying the iconic halo-halo from a famous fast food chain.

The six-foot Kolomoyets, a seasoned middle blocker, boasts a decorated domestic career with two Kazakhstan league titles, multiple medals in the Kazakhstan Cup, and silver finishes in the Super Cup.

She will add size and experience to a frontline rotation that already includes reigning Best Middle Blocker Bea de Leon and veteran Pangs Panaga.

Meanwhile, the 6-foot-4 Kudryashova’s athletic achievements include a Kazakhstan Super Cup title, bronze medals in the Kazakhstan Cup, and multiple podium finishes in the Bosnian Premijer Liga and Russian Vysshaya Liga B.

The 25-year-old spiker is expected to bring a powerful presence on the wings alongside local stars Alyssa Valdez, Jema Galanza and the beach volleyball-bound Bernadeth Pons.

Their presence offers Creamline the opportunity to recalibrate its system. With Kolomoyets anchoring the middle, expect quicker plays and improved net defense.

Kudryashova’s height and hitting power give the Cool Smashers a versatile option in the attack zone, which should help create better spacing and free up scoring lanes for Valdez and Galanza.

The trio of imports — Staunton, Kolomoyets and Kudryashova — will work with newly-acquired veteran setter Rhea Dimaculangan, forming a dynamic mix of power, precision and playoff pedigree.

Creamline opens its AVC campaign against Al Naser Club of Jordan on Sunday.

The tournament serves as a shot at redemption following the Cool Smashers’ heartbreaking loss to Petro Gazz in the PVL Finals — a defeat that ended their quest for a historic five-peat.