Coach Sherwin, MG, Staunton talked about Creamline’s first victory, clearly stating…

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PVL: Erica Staunton, Creamline turn back Farm Fresh for first win win in Reinforced Conference

The Creamline Cool Smashers overcame the feisty Farm Fresh Foxies in four sets to snatch their first win in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.

Erica Staunton led the Creamline Cool Smashers to a four-set victory over the Farm Fresh Foxies in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

The Creamline Cool Smashers grabbed their first win in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference after closing out the Farm Fresh Foxies in four sets, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Saturday, July 20.

Coming off their five-set defeat to the PLDT High Speed Hitters last July 16, the Cool Smashers found their groove against the Foxies, who remain winless in the conference.

Still without superstars Tots Carlos and Alyssa Valdez, Creamline turned to import Erica Staunton, who finished with 26 points on 23 attacks and three blocks, to go along with 14 excellent receptions.

“I think I did pretty well, I think I had a lot of things I wanted to focus on and improve from Tuesday. One of them [was] just taking smarter shots, hitting higher because like I mentioned the defense here in volleyball in the Philippines is very scrappy, the blocks are getting great touches so I wanted to make sure that I was hitting a lot higher than I did on Tuesday. So, luckily it worked out but that was one of my focuses,” Staunton said during the post-game press conference.

In the fourth set, the Cool Smashers distanced themselves early on after building an 8-4 lead.

Riding on that momentum, Creamline continued to pounce on Farm Fresh, extending their lead to as many as 12 points at 19-7 after an emphatic kill block by middle blocker Risa Sato.

The Foxies tried to muster an improbable comeback led by Columbian import Yeni Murillo but in the end, the Cool Smashers proved to be too much as Staunton scored the winning attack to seal the victory.

Michele Gumabao also had a huge game for Creamline as she contributed 21 points on 19 attacks, one block, and one service ace. Jeannette Panaga added 12 markers, while Bernadeth Pons had nine in the victory.

After faltering in the first, the Cool Smashers had to climb their way back in the second as well after going down 17-21 as Staunton led the 8-2 run to steal the second set.

The same situation transpired in the third set, where Creamline rallied late in the game, going on a 6-0 run to snatch the frame, with Gumabao and Staunton scoring three points apiece in the comeback.

Murillo paced Farm Fresh with 26 points built on 25 attacks and one block, while Caitlin Viray and Trisha Tubu had 12 apiece.