Anyse Smith’s journey with Choco Mucho in the 2025 Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference was anything but smooth.
The American reinforcement missed the team’s supposed opening match due to ITC delays and also sat out the second game as paperwork had yet to be completed, further pushing back her integration into the squad.
These early setbacks kept her from contributing on the court during the opening stretch of the conference.
And when she finally suited up, Smith found herself moving in and out of the rotation as the team searched for consistency in the import-laced tournament — until suddenly, her stint with the Flying Titans had already come to an end.
“It is sad to walk away,” said Smith, a well-loved figure among Choco Mucho fans despite her limited time on the floor.
(C) PVL Images
It’s fair to say her run with the PVL fan-favorites did not unfold the way she — or the team — had envisioned.
Yet despite everything, the 26-year-old opposite hitter holds nothing but affection for the team, which she believes is brimming with potential and fully capable of accomplishing great things ahead.
“However, I still believe that they can do good things with or without me,” said Smith after the squad snapped a four-game losing streak at the expense of Akari to close the conference.
In her brief stay with the team, Smith said she picked up valuable life lessons that went beyond volleyball.
She reflected on the friendships she formed and the personal growth she experienced, emphasizing the importance of allowing herself to make mistakes — and learning how to bounce back from them.
“What stuck with me the most, and the most important thing, is developing actual, real friendships and growing as a woman. Letting myself make mistakes, as long as I can come back from them — that’s something I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”
And for that, she remains deeply grateful.
“So I’m excited to see where they head next, but most of all, I just want to say thank you to everyone who believed in me and supported me through everything,” the former Nakhon Ratchasima import said.
“It’s been a long journey, but like I said, I’m just excited to see where things take them from here.”
