Creamline Cool Smashers import Erica Staunton has been getting a lot of support from her coaches and teammates ahead of her first professional game in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
American spiker Erica Staunton will be joining the biggest and winningest team in the PVL, the Creamline Cool Smashers, for the upcoming 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
This will be Staunton’s first professional team since completing her collegiate career at the University of Georgia.
Despite the weight of expectations to help the Cool Smashers secure the Reinforced crown, the 23-year-old winger is not alone. Her teammates and coaches have been instrumental in helping her embrace this challenge.
“I think definitely there is some pressure coming into such a winning program, but being surrounded by champions who know what it takes to push themselves every single day has been very inspiring,” Staunton told One Sports during the PVL Media Day on Saturday, July 13.
“One of Creamline’s mottos which the coaches made sure to tell me in like the first couple of days, is that there really is no pressure. Creamline makes it a huge point to take the pressure off of their players and just make sure that the players are focusing on having fun because Creamline, as a team, plays best when they’re having fun,” she explained.
Among those helping Staunton with her adjustments in the league has been none other than team captain Alyssa Valdez herself.
“It’s been incredible, honestly. She is such a great human, such a great volleyball player, and obviously, as a veteran, she’s very familiar with the league and how the volleyball system is run here,” said Staunton.
“She’s been very helpful in giving me tips both offensively and defensively, so it’s really great to be able to have her, especially to go to her and just ask if she’s seeing anything,” she added.
Staunton's arrival couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cool Smashers, as they will be likely missing Jema Galanza in the tournament due to her commitments with Alas Pilipinas.
As she suits up for her very first professional volleyball game, Staunton is ready to experience the Philippine volleyball environment, especially while playing for Creamline.
“I don’t think that there’s anything that really compares to the volleyball environment here in the Philippines, so I’m extremely excited to start my pro career here,” said Staunton.
“It’s super exciting to see the excitement and the energy that comes from all the PVL fans and Creamline fans, so I’m super excited to get to meet all the fans, get to experience the hype of the games, everything like that,” she added.
First up for Staunton and the Cool Smashers will be the PLDT High Speed Hitters on Tuesday, July 16, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.