Ana Kudryashova and the Creamline Cool Smashers take a beating from Kazakhstan’s Zhetsyu in the AVC Champions League.-MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines — Ana Kudryashova’s familiarity with Zhetysu hardly mattered as Creamline was no match for the Kazakhs in the Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) Champions League Monday night.
Russian spiker Kudryashova and Kazakh middle blocker Nastia Kolomoyets play for VC Kuanysh in Kazakhstan and had already faced Zhetysu for several games.
Still, Zhetysu rolled to a 25-16, 25-17, 25-17, victory and dealt Creamline its first loss in the tournament.
READ: AVC Champions League: Kazakhs too much for Creamline
“I think I knew the direction [their] players prefer, which definitely helps me on the block. Although they were trying to avoid me. But, I think overall… It’s just feeling the tempo of the team, it’s kind of easier to know that these girls hit over [the hand] because they are so tall. And they also trying to hit too deep,” said Kudryashova, who had five points.
Not a single player from the Cool Smashers scored in double figures as American Spiker Erica Staunton was limited to just nine points. Kolomoyets had six points.
The Russian import knew that Zhetysu would play like a well-oiled machine but she was still proud of Creamline’s gallant stand.
“I think, I was mentally prepared to like play [against] them, it’s just hard really to play because honestly they work like a clock, they train really hard, very talented, and very tall people. That’s really hard to play with honestly, because they are really good. But overall it was not a surprise they played [like] this today and scored. I think we showed a really good game,” said Kudryashova.
READ: AVC: Creamline imports connect right away in opening win
Creamline’s fate whether it makes the quarterfinals or not depends on the result of the last Pool A match between Zhetysu and Jordan’s Al Naser. Regardless, Kudryashova is determined to come out stronger and continue to learn Creamline’s system.
“I think we should keep the mindset that we have this game even though we lost. Throughout the game we did not give up, even though it’s hard to keep going. I think we are just going to play the same game, try to better in every aspect, and try to keep the game aspect better,” she said.
“Since me and Nastia, we just came to the game kinda late, and I think every game is getting better and better. We will come out stronger, and just like supporting and loving each other.”
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