Eli Rousseaux Drops 38 in Fiery PVL Debut as Farm Fresh Foxies Overpower Nxled

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by Misha Cruz

Farm Fresh Foxies celebrate after winning a play against Nxled Chameleons in their 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference opener.
Farm Fresh Foxies celebrate after winning a play against Nxled Chameleons in their 2025 PVL Reinforced Conference opener. Photo. PVL Images.

The Farm Fresh Foxies came out swinging. And wow, did they make a statement. 

Behind a jaw-dropping debut from Belgian import Eli Rousseaux, the Foxies clawed past the Nxled Chameleons in four thrilling sets, 22-25, 25-23, 25-19, 25-21, to open their PVL Reinforced Conference campaign with pure fire at the Dasmariñas Arena Thursday night.

For a team that once sat out an entire conference to “prepare,” the message was clear: the Foxies are done waiting, they’re here to win.

And at the center of it all was Rousseaux, who unleashed a 38-point explosion that had fans and volleyball Twitter going crazy. The 6-foot-2 Belgian national team standout turned her PVL debut into a masterclass, hammering 33 attacks, adding three blocks, and even dropping a couple of aces for good measure. It was the kind of performance that instantly announces, “Hello, Philippines, I’ve arrived.”

Farm fresh import Eli Rousseaux (19).
Farm fresh import Eli Rousseaux (19). Photo: PVL Images.

After a rocky first set, Farm Fresh flipped the switch. Rousseaux’s relentless offense set the tone, while Trisha Tubu and Ces Molina added key punches late in the match. Setter Alohi Robins-Hardy orchestrated the offense beautifully, delivering clutch sets and even sneaking in a clever 1-2 play in the fourth that broke Nxled’s momentum.

By the time Rousseaux capped her night with a game-sealing block, the Foxies’ bench was on its feet, and so was the crowd.

“We were nervous at first, but we settled in and started to play our game,” Rousseaux said afterward, flashing a smile that said equal parts relief and pride. “I’m tired, but happy. It’s a great start.”

Her poise and power were contagious. The locals matched her energy, showing improved chemistry and sharper decision-making, proof that the time they spent regrouping wasn’t wasted. Farm Fresh dominated in attacks, 58-40, proving that their offense can hang with the league’s best.

Farm fresh outside hitter Ces Molina (7).
Farm fresh outside hitter Ces Molina (7). Photo: PVL Images.

Nxled’s Chiara Permentilla and Paola Martinez gave solid fights, combining for 33 points, but it wasn’t enough to slow down the Foxies’ second-set comeback and Rousseaux’s unstoppable rhythm.

In just one match, Farm Fresh erased doubts about their readiness. This wasn’t the same tentative team fans saw last season. This was a confident, cohesive squad with serious bite.

If Rousseaux’s 38-point bomb was just the beginning, the PVL might want to brace itself. Because the Foxies are no longer the cute underdogs. They’re the pack everyone should fear.