In a highly-offensive championship bout against the Creamline Cool Smashers, Petro Gazz needed a consistent force that will unrelentingly produce and prevent the Angels’ offense from stagnating.
And they found that in guest player Janisa Johnson.
The American reinforcement was more than willing to do just that.
Drawing strength from her desire of delivering a title for her teammates, most of whom were inexperienced heading into the title match, she normed 22 points per game in the epic three-game series.
“As I said before I was doing it for the girls because I know what it feels like to win a championship, but the other girls don’t. And so I wanted them to experience what I’ve experienced before,” bared Johnson, who won a championship in France’s Ligue A with Beziers Volley.
In the winner-take-all Game Three, the product of CSU Long Beach had a masterful performance. Johnson even delivered in the clutch, putting her team at championship point before eventually capturing the title with her own hands via a blistering spike.
As the confetti rained down, the 27-year-old spiker finished with a triple-double outing of 23 points built on 19 attacks and three aces laced with 18 excellent receptions and 13 excellent digs.
“I wanted to do everything I could just to, you know, get the team to where we had goals and you know, get us to the championship.”
But aside from hoisting the championship trophy, Johnson was awarded another plum which was a testament to her brilliance and consistency — the Finals Most Valuable Player hardware.
“It’s a great feeling,” she gushed.
“I mean, for me, awards, you know, aren’t what I always try and achieve for but when I win one, I, of course, take it all to heart because, for me, it’s a great accomplishment.”
But she was quick to remind that she couldn’t have done it without her teammates.
Now that the import-flavored tourney is done, Johnson will enjoy some time for herself as she plans to spend her vacation in the country before flying to France next week for another import duty overseas.
But she has one problem in mind.
“I don’t know how it’s gonna fit into my bag, but I’m gonna try and fit it in there.”
