PVL: Creamline taps Erica Staunton as import for Reinforced tilt

Erica Staunton is Creamline Cool Smashers’ import for the PVL Reinforced Conference. –CREAMLINE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — Creamline is bringing American wing spiker Erica Staunton as its guest foreign player in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference in July.

The Cool Smashers on Thursday welcomed the former US NCAA player to bolster their roster in the import-laden tournament.

“We’re thrilled to announce that Erica Staunton, a dynamic 23-year-old open and opposite spiker from the USA, is joining the Creamline Cool Smashers family,” the team wrote. “Her talent, passion, and energy are sure to bring even more excitement to our team.”

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Staunton played for Northeastern University in Division 1 before she transferred to Georgia University.

We’re thrilled to announce that Erica Staunton, a dynamic 23-year-old open and opposite spiker from the USA, is joining the Creamline Cool Smashers family!🏐✨

Her talent, passion, and energy are sure to bring even more excitement to our team. 💪💗

Welcome to GV-kada, Erica! 🥳 pic.twitter.com/txDgyqcWaG

— Creamline Cool Smashers (@CoolSmashers) June 20, 2024

The 6-foot-1 versatile spiker, who also has pro experience in Finland with the Oriveden Ponnistus, joins the winningest PVL club, which recently completed a historic ’four-peat’ in the All-Filipino Conference.

Staunton is teaming up with Alyssa Valdez, Bernadeth Pons, Michele Gumabao, Pangs Panaga, Bea De Leon, Kyle Negrito, and Denden Lazaro-Revilla.

The availability of Alas Pilipinas players Jia De Guzman, Tots Carlos, and Jema Galanza is still up in the air in the midseason conference as the nationals will play in several tournaments in the FIVB Challenger Cup and SEA V.League.

The Reinforced Conference title has been elusive for Creamline, which last won a championship with an import in 2018. The Cool Smashers lost to the Petro Gazz Angels five years ago and settled for bronze in 2022.

Creamline was the third PVL team to unveil its reinforcement as Chery Tiggo recently welcomed Khat Bell, while PLDT brought back Elena Samoilenko.

The top four teams in the Reinforced Conference will qualify for the Invitational Conference in September with two foreign guest clubs.