Ana Kudryashova knew exactly who she was up against.
But even with a scout’s eye and insider knowledge of Zhetysu VC, Creamline's Russian reinforcement couldn’t stop the Kazakhstan powerhouse from asserting its dominance.
The Cool Smashers wrapped up their 2025 AVC Women’s Champions League Pool A campaign on a sour note, dropping a four-setter to Zhetysu VC, 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-19, on Monday night at the PhilSports Arena.
Kudryashova, alongside fellow import Anastassiya Kolomoyets, had previously played for VC Kuanysh in the Kazakh Volleyball League, where they regularly faced the reigning champions of the region. That familiarity should have been an advantage—but on this night, it simply wasn’t enough.
“I think, I knew the direction [their] players prefer, which definitely help me on the block. Although they were trying to avoid me,” said Kudryashova. “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. I think I was mentally prepared to like play [against] them.”
Still, knowing who they were playing couldn’t change what Zhetysu brought to the table—a team that runs like a well-oiled machine, armed with height, cohesion, and experience.
“[But] 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,” she added.
Coming off a solid debut with nine points in Creamline’s three-set sweep of Jordan’s Al Naser the day before, Kudryashova was held to just five points against Zhetysu. Kolomoyets managed six markers of her own—five off kills and one off a block—against their well-prepared opponents.
Zhetysu head coach Marko Grši? didn’t mince words when asked about their game plan. Their prior knowledge of the Creamline imports became a critical part of their strategy heading into their AVC debut.
“The foreign players in Creamline, they played in Kazakhstan. We already know the qualities and all the things that they can do. We were very, very prepared for this match,” said Grši?.
And prepared they were. Zhetysu dictated the tempo, controlled the net, and neutralized Creamline’s offense with surgical precision—locking them in as the Pool A favorites.
But the Cool Smashers still have a lifeline.
If Zhetysu takes care of business and defeats Al Naser on Tuesday, Creamline would slide into the quarterfinals with a 1-1 record—an opportunity that Kudryashova believes they must be ready for.
“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,” she shared. “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.”
While the loss stings, Kudryashova sees the silver lining: their cohesion is growing, the chemistry is building, and the team still has another chance to prove itself on the continental stage.
“Since, like me and [Kolomoyets] we just came to the game kinda late, and I think every game is getting better, and better. For the rest of the games, we will come out stronger, and just like supporting and loving each other.”
