Erica Staunton is slowly embracing the pressure as Creamline’s import while overcoming her first-game jitters after two games in the 2024 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Staunton credited the Cool Smashers’ efforts to ensure that as the youngest import in the Reinforced Conference, she could handle the pressure of playing professionally in unfamiliar territory in the Philippines.
“There definitely were some pre-game jitters, but also, some process to kind of settle that and kind of change the jitters from nervousness to maybe more excitement and just embracing the process,” said the 23-year-old American, who poured in 26 points on 23 attacks and three blocks.
She also had 14 excellent receptions to lead Creamline over Farm Fresh for its first win, 24-26, 25-23, 25-21, 25-16.
When overwhelmed with pressure, the University of Georgia alumna now remembers the enjoyment and excitement of not only playing for Creamline, but also playing in a volleyball-loving nation like the Philippines.
She emphasized the importance of enjoying the process of settling into the PVL’s competition and the nature of Philippine volleyball, as the Cool Smashers ended the opening week of the Reinforced Conference with a 1-1 record.
(C) PVL Images
“Creamline does a great job of making sure that we, as players, focus on having fun. If we’re not having fun, then we’re not playing to the best of our ability,” the former Oriveden Ponnistus spiker added.
Creamline’s championship pedigree, along with the other great hitters on the team’s roster, has helped Staunton take the pressure off herself as the Cool Smashers’ reinforcement.
Staunton highlighted the importance of team effort in overcoming the pressure of being Creamline’s import, which was evident in the four-set win against the Foxies.
Her 26-point performance was complemented by Michele Gumabao’s 21 points and Pangs Panaga’s 12 markers.
“Just really being able to look to them for composure, they’re a championship team, they’re not unfamiliar with pressure, so it’s easy to look to them to take some pressure off me,” the 6-foot spiker said.
“I think there’s a lot of pressure on the imports, but one person can’t win a game, so it’s definitely a team effort.”
