Courtney Schwan showcased her versatility and growing chemistry with the Creamline Cool Smashers after leading the reigning champions to their first win in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
Courtney Schwan is quickly finding her rhythm with the Creamline Cool Smashers in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference.
The reigning champions recovered from their upset loss to Akari with a gritty four-set victory over Petro Gazz, 25-20, 25-21, 17-25, 25-20, on Tuesday, October 14, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Schwan took charge down the stretch, leading the Cool Smashers with 27 points built on 24 attacks and three blocks, to go along with 16 excellent receptions.
Building confidence through trust
For Schwan, who is only two matches into her PVL career, Creamline’s on-court chemistry has made all the difference in how she approaches the game.
“It just makes you way more confident on the court, like, ‘Hey, I trust you to get that ball, or you trust me to get that ball,’” Schwan told One Sports. “It’s just a better camaraderie, a better system, and a better confidence to play with on the court.”
[ALSO READ: Courtney Schwan reflects on PVL Reinforced debut, vows Creamline will bounce back stronger]
More than just power
While imports are usually known for their power hits, Schwan has been taking a rather different approach with her game.
In their win against Petro Gazz, the American spiker has been smart about her attacks, emphasizing that being an effective scorer is also about adapting.
“I put a lot of pride in it because over the years I’ve learned different things work for different times,” she shared. “If one thing’s not working, I need to use a different tool in my toolbox. It’s just good to have everything. Sometimes, being smart is very helpful, like I showed today.”
Falling in love with Creamline fans
The 29-year-old also couldn’t hide her appreciation for Creamline’s passionate fanbase, which she described as one of the best she’s ever encountered.
Creamline fans cheer on the Cool Smashers during their PVL Reinforced Conference match against the Petro Gazz Angels. | Photo: PVL
“It’s one of my favorite things, something I don’t know if I’ve ever experienced to this capacity,” Schwan said. “Oh my goodness, it’s so much fun. The fans are amazing, and I was worried about them being aggressive, but they’re so sweet — the nicest fans ever. It’s been absolutely amazing.”
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Kiko Demigillo’s journey in sports storytelling began with a deep passion for games and athletes, which eventually grew into a full-fledged career.
Now a dedicated sportswriter, Kiko covers a wide range of beats for One Sports, including the PVL, UAAP, PBA, and various international tournaments.