Akari announced on Wednesday that Annie Mitchem will serve as their import for the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference, making her the final reinforcement to be named among all 10 teams.
“Akari Fam, welcome our newest Charger, Annie Mitchem,” the team said in a Facebook post.
The 31-year-old American outside hitter comes off a stint with Jakarta Livin Mandiri in Indonesia.
Mitchem has also played professionally in Italy, Turkey, and Brazil following her collegiate career at the University of Hawaii, where she played as a middle blocker.
“An Outside Hitter with championship runs in Brazil, Italy, and Turkey! With her championship experience and serious firepower, she’s ready to charge with us this conference,” the team added.
Mitchem’s international experience is expected to be a key asset for the Chargers, now led by new head coach Tina Salak, who took over from Japanese tactician Taka Minowa at the start of the PVL On Tour earlier this year.
During last year’s 2024 Reinforced Conference, Akari tapped Oly Okaro, who led the Chargers to a silver finish.
With Okaro’s success as the benchmark, Mitchem now has big shoes to fill as the Chargers aim for a finals return.
She is expected to form a potent wing rotation alongside Ivy Lacsina, Grethcel Soltones, Eli Soyud, and Faith Nisperos, as Akari sets its sights on returning to the Reinforced Conference finals after finishing second to Creamline last year.
