Kyla Atienza lauded the Creamline Cool Smashers’ deep libero rotation, which allowed her to fully recover from a left elbow injury before making her return in the 2026 Premier Volleyball League All-Filipino Conference.

After sitting out the first four games due to a ligament tear that did not require surgery, Atienza came back with 11 digs out of 21 attempts in Creamline’s 25-14, 17-25, 25-18, 25-23 win over the Galeries Tower Highrisers on Tuesday at the FilOil Centre in San Juan.

 

 

Photo: PVL

“At first, I was a bit nervous and still finding my rhythm, but thanks to my coaches and teammates who were always supportive, I was able to get back on track,” Atienza said. 

 

“We just trusted the coaches’ system. No matter what happened on the court, we knew we had each other.”

She shared floor duties with Jennifer Nierva, who posted 12 excellent receptions out of 18 attempts. Creamline also boasts veteran Denden Lazaro-Revilla, Aleiah Torres, and Ella De Jesus in its defensive unit.

 

 

Photo: PVL

“It really meant a lot to me that I didn’t rush my recovery. I gave my body time to heal, and I’m so thankful for my teammates who supported me throughout,” Atienza said.

The 28-year-old libero hopes to continue regaining her peak form as Creamline guns for its fifth straight win against Nxled Chameleons, a squad featuring former Petro Gazz standouts led by Brooke Van Sickle.