Women’s pro report: Rettke leads Milano in Champions and Italian leagues

This is our weekly update on USA women playing professional volleyball around the world. Most of the players are former NCAA standouts:

Champions League

Milano claimed control of Pool A by easily sweeping VakifBank (25-17, 25-17, 25-16) as Dana Rettke had 10 kills, hit .833, and had two blocks. Jordan Thompson led VakifBank with 13 kills and one block. Ali Frantti had a kill and Chiaka Ogbogu did not score.

Mulhouse was upset by Stara Pazova in five sets in Pool A  as Annayka Legros had 10 kills, four blocks and an ace. Carli Snyder had 11 kills, one block and an ace and Jaali Winters had seven kills.

Scandicci is atop Pool B after beating Eczacibasi in a thrilling four-set match. Haleigh Washington had a kill and a block.

Plovdiv of Bulgaria upset Vasas to complete Pool B action as Ciara DeBell had 14 kills, a block and an ace. Taylor Bannister led Vasas and all scorers with 26 kills and an ace.

Potsdam overcame an adversary when traveling to Slovenia and beat Kamnik in five sets. Danielle Harbin came off the bench to be top scorer with 19 kills and two blocks. Breland Morrissette had one kill as a substitute. Justine Wong-Orantes was credited with 47% positive reception.

Conegliano leads Pool D after beating Rzeszow in four sets. Khalia Lanier had 15 kills, two aces and a block, Kelsey Robinson Cook followed with 11 kills and setter Madi Bugg added two kills and an ace.

Krystal Rivers powered Stuttgart past Beveren with 22 kills (.571), three aces and two blocks. Kayla Haneline had six kills (.750) and two blocks.

CEV Cup

Porto claimed an important five-set win over Beziers in the first round-of-16 match. Kyra Holt led with 23 kills, three blocks and two aces. Lauren Matthews had 13 kills and a block. Taylor Sandbothe finished with eight kills and three aces while middle partner Lauren Page had seven kills and two blocks. Serena Gray had 12 kills (.706) and four blocks…