Robinson Cook, Plummer, Conegliano take Italian Cup; Gray, Minas win in S. America

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

Italy

Imoco Volley Conegliano won its fifth Italian Cup (Coppa Italia) in a row with a 25-21, 22-25, 25-19, 19-25, 15-11 victory over Allianz Vero Volley Milano before a crowd of 6,700 in the Pala Trieste.

Kelsey Robinson Cook led the American contingent with 14 kills, Kathryn Plummer had 13 and Khalia Lanier was a serving sub as her team clinched the crown on her serve. Swede Isabelle Haak had 21 kills and two blocks.

Milano’s Dana Rettke finished had 12 kills and hit .688. Kara Bajema had a kill and two blocks.

Conegliano swept Chieri in the semifinals. Plummer had eight kills, three blocks and three aces. Robinson Cook had nine kills and a block. Chieri’s Avery Skinner was held to two kills and a block. Madi Kingdon Rushel had two kills.

Milano got to the final by beat Scandicci in five. Rettke had 10 kills (.588), three blocks and an ace for Milano and Bajema did not play.

In the Italian League, Casalmaggiore (7-13) earned its biggest win of the season and fourth in a row by beating Novara (16-4) in four sets. Simone Lee was Casalmaggiore’s second-top scorer with 18 kills and one block and setter Micha Hancock had a kill and an ace.

South America

Minas won the South American Club championship after pulling off against rival Praia Clube. Setter Jenna Gray was named MVP. Minas advanced by Brazilian rival SESI Bauru in four.

In Brazilian league play, SESC RJ (15-1) beat rival Fluminense in four sets as Roni Jones-Perry led with 14 kills, three aces and a block.

Türkiye

VakifBank advanced to the Turkish Cup semifinals by sweeping Cukurova as Jordan Thompson led with 14 kills (.429) and an ace. Ali Frantti added eight kills and two blocks and Chiaka Ogbogu did not play.

Kuzeyboru was eliminated after falling in four sets to THY. Sarah Parsons led Kuzeyboru with 14 kills and an ace.

VakifBank improved to 19-1 in the Turkish League by sweeping PTT (5-16) as Frantti had 10 kills (.533) and a block. Thompson had eight kills in two sets.

Galatasaray (10-11) was swept by Eczacibasi (19-1). Danielle Cuttino led Galatasaray with 16 kills and Logan Eggleston had nine kills, two blocks and two aces.

Kuzeyboru (13-8) bounced back by sweeping Besiktas (7-14). Parsons was the top scorer again with 13 kills, two blocks and two…