Marlee Smith reflected on her much-anticipated PVL debut with the Choco Mucho Flying Titans, while adjusting to a new role as an outside hitter.
It wasn’t the debut game that Marlee Smith had hoped for with Choco Mucho in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference
The American spiker delivered 20 points in the Flying Titans’ straight-set loss to the PLDT High Speed Hitters, 21-25, 20-25, 19-25, on Thursday night, October 16, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After the match, Smith admitted that nerves kicked in during her first official PVL match after sitting out their first outing due to a lack of a special working permit.
“It was a little nerve-wracking. I feel like this first game was for me to get the jitters out,” Smith told reporters. “It exposed to me what I need to work on and how to come for the next game. I think I played okay but definitely not my best game.”
[ALSO READ: How Choco Mucho found out about Marlee Smith's unavailability before PVL match vs Cignal]
Plenty of positives
Despite the self-critique, Smith was pleasantly surprised by her scoring output.
The 26-year-old spiker was the lone double-digit scorer for Choco Mucho against a dominant PLDT squad.
“I was thinking higher, but I didn’t know I scored 20 right now. For me to have an off game and say I scored 20, that just made me happy,” she said. “I definitely expected a little more from myself, but I’m satisfied because I get to learn.”
Adjusting to a new role
While Smith has built her career as an opposite hitter, the Flying Titans coaching staff decided to shift her to the outside hitter position.
Marlee Smith tips the ball during Choco Mucho's defeat to PLDT in the 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference. | Photo: PVL
That move came with challenges for Smith, but also opportunities to improve further as a player.
“I don’t think it was much of a challenge,” Smith shared. “Moving from the position that you’ve been playing for years to a different position just shows that my coaches trust me and my teammates trust me.”
“I learned tonight what I need to work on. I take it and I’m running with it. I’m not nervous anymore. After getting the feel tonight, I feel like that helped me. It’s okay,” she added.
With her debut behind her and the initial jitters out of the way, Smith is eager to elevate her game as Choco Mucho looks to get back on track against the Nxled Chameleons on Tuesday, October 21.
“I think next Tuesday will be much better for me,” she vowed.
—
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.