The 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference is right around the corner.
As the league approaches its kickoff for its import-laden tournament, a first since 2022, anticipation mounts with the announcements of foreign players set to make their mark on the local scene.
These international talents bring their world-class prowess and experience to bolster the 12 competing club teams, promising an exciting and competitive season ahead.
Elena Samoilenko - PLDT High Speed Hitters
PLDT is running it back with Elena Samoilenko.
The High Speed Hitters announced on June 7 that Samoilenko is suiting up for the team for the second time after an impressive stint in the Reinforced Conference two years ago.
[Related: PVL: Elena Samoilenko returns from Russia, with love for PLDT]
The 6-foot-4 Russian outside hitter emerged as the leading scorer of the 2022 import-laden tournament, amassing 213 points in eight games.
Despite Samoilenko's brilliance, PLDT did not make it to the semifinals with a 3-5 record.
This time around though, Samoilenko will be a part of a revamped High Speed Hitters team spearheaded by Savi Davison.
Khat Bell - Chery Tiggo Crossovers
Another familiar face has returned to the Philippines in Khat Bell.
[Related: PVL: Chery Tiggo secures Katherine Bell for 2024 Reinforced Conference]
Chery Tiggo has enlisted the services of Bell, who left a lasting impression during her stint in the Philippine Super Liga several years ago.
The Crossover welcomed the well-traveled winger on Wednesday, June 12.
The 6-foot-2 American outside hitter last played in the country for the Petron Blaze Spikers in the PSL Grand Prix, where she captured two titles back in 2018 and 2019.
Bell should provide a significant boost to the offensive arsenal of Chery Tiggo led by her fellow PSL champion Aby Maraño.
As of June 15, the remaining teams have yet to announce their foreign player acquisitions.
Erica Staunton - Creamline Cool Smashers
Creamline is looking to win its first Reinforced Conference crown since 2018, and the Cool Smashers are bringing in Erica Staunton to help do that.
The 6-foot-1 winger spent four years with Northeastern University Huskies in the NCAA Division 1 before playing for the University of Georgia Bulldogs.
[Related: PVL: Creamline taps Erica Staunton for 2024 Reinforced Conference]
Staunton then turned pro and suited up for Finnish club Oriveden Ponnistus.
The versatile spiker should serve as added firepower for the Cool Smashers, who are expected to miss Jema Galanza and Tots Carlos due to their committment to the national team, Alas Pilipinas.
Marina Tushova - Capital1 Solar Spikers
On the day the franchise secured the no. 2 pick in the first-ever PVL Draft, the Capital1 Solar Spikers also confirmed their first-ever import in Marina Tushova.
Tushova is coming in from Russia and while youthful, she boasts international club volleyball experience with previous stops in France, Switzerland, and her native Russia.
[Related: Capital1 taps Russian import Marina Tushova for PVL Reinforced Conference]
Capital1 hopes for Tushova to provide a big boost, as the Solar Spikers look to improve upon their maiden PVL conference where they finished with just one win.
Zoi Faki - Choco Mucho Flying Titans
The Choco Mucho Flying Titans are going all out in their title hunt after snapping up Greek outside hitter Zoi Faki as their import for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
[Related: Greek Titan incoming: Choco Mucho to parade spiker Zoi Faki in PVL Reinforced Conference]
In her youth years, Faki played for Greek clubs SFA Foivos Melission, AEK Athens, and GS Panionios.
The 25-year-old then played for Pittsburgh University and San Diego State University in her college days--competing in the US NCAA for five consecutive years and even reached the Elite Eight. She then headed back to Greece, where she suited up for AO Thiras and Apollon Kalamatas.
MJ Perez - Cignal HD Spikers
A familiar face returns to Philippine volleyball as MJ Perez joins the Cignal HD Spikers for the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Perez last played in the local scene for five-time champions F2 Logistics Cargo Movers in the Philippine Super Liga from 2017 to 2019. She steered the Cargo Movers to the title in the 2017 Grand Prix, where she also emerged as MVP.
[Related: Olympian MJ Perez boosts Cignal for 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference]
Since leaving the Philippines, the former Olympian played in other professional leagues in Italy, Egypt, Cyprus, and Vietnam.
Perez last saw action for the Alexandria Sporting Club VC in Egypt before answering the call of Cignal for the new Reinforced Conference.
Asaka Tamaru - ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles
Asaka Tamaru just can't get enough of the Philippines.
The 5-foot-7 opposite hitter first became known to Philippine fans when she steered the Kurashiki Ablaze towards the 2023 Invitational Conference championship.
The Japanese standout then became part of Jerry Yee's coaching staff with the University of the East Lady Red Warriors in the UAAP.
[RELATED: PVL: Asaka Tamaru set to suit up as import for ZUS Coffee]
It seemed Yee was still impressed with her, enough to offer the import spot for new squad ZUS Coffee.
Monique Helena - Galeries Tower Highrisers
The Galeries Tower Highrisers aim to climb higher this conference by picking up Brazilian outside hitter Monique Helena.
She's only 22 years old but the 6-foot outside hitter has already suited up for at least six squads in her home country.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Galeries Tower brings in Brazilian Monique Helena for Reinforced Conference]
This will be her first stint overseas.
Oluoma Okaro - Akari Chargers
With Dindin Santiago-Manabat transferring to the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, the Akari Chargers went ahead and picked up 28-year-old opposite spiker Oluoma Okaro.
The US-born spiker has collegiate experience in both indoor and beach volleyball, before competing in the Greek and Finnish pro leagues.
[ALSO READ: PVL: American Oluoma Okaro to bolster Akari’s charge in Reinforced Conference]
Yeny Murillo - Farm Fresh Foxies
The Farm Fresh Foxies have zeroed in on six-foot-one outside hitter Yeny Murillo of Colombia, emphasizing the need for firepower, reception, and stability inside the court.
Looks like the Foxies are still focused on reception even with newly-minted head coach Shota Sato at the helm.
[ALSO READ: PVL: Farm Fresh continues revamp with Shota Sato as head coach, Colombian spiker Yeny Murillo as import]
Wilma Salas - Petro Gazz Angels
Talk about throwback!
The Petro Gazz Angels are drawing on old reliables, getting back their former import Wilma Salas.
Salas previously steered the Angels to the 2019 Reinforced Conference title, winning the Best Foreign Player award in the process.
Imports summary:
- PLDT High Speed Hitters: Elena Samoilenko
- Chery Tiggo Crossovers: Khat Bell
- Creamline Cool Smashers: Erica Staunton
- Capital1 Solar Spikers: Marina Tushova
- Choco Mucho Flying Titans: Zoi Faki
- Cignal HD Spikers: MJ Perez
- ZUS Coffee Thunderbelles: Asaka Tamaru
- Galeries Tower Highrisers: Monique Helena
- Akari Chargers: Oluoma Okaro
- Farm Fresh Foxies: Yeny Murillo
- Petro Gazz Angels: Wilma Salas
Nxled Chameleons: ?