Elena Samoilenko will look to acclimate herself once more with the PLDT High Speed Hitters for another PVL tour of duty.
The quest for the PVL Reinforced Conference crown has officially begun for the PLDT High Speed Hitters.
After bringing back import Elena Samoilenko, the High Speed Hitters are already back in training and raring to go for the upcoming conference.
Despite being familiar with PLDT’s system, Samoilenko will have to adjust to her new teammates, given that her last playing year in the Philippines was 2022.
In a video posted by the High Speed Hitters on their social media pages, Samoilenko was seen lifting weights along with her teammates.
The entire PLDT squad, along with Samoilenko, also posed for a photo after their training session.
The 6-foot-4 Russian outside spiker is fresh off her recent stint in Kazakhstan with Turan Turkistan.
In 2022, PLDT missed out on the single-round robin semifinals after finishing sixth with a 3-5 record. Nevertheless, Samoilenko was a force to be reckoned with, averaging 26.6 points per game for a total of 213 points to lead the entire league in scoring, inclduing two 35-point games.
After finishing in the top five in the 2024 All-Filipino Conference, the High Speed Hitters will hope that Samoilenko's return will be the key to their championship aspirations, given PLDT’s stacked lineup, which includes Fil-Canadian outside hitter Savi Davison.
Samoilenko will also be accompanied by setter Kim Fajardo, middle blocker Majoy Baron, and the recovering spiker Kim Kianna Dy.