International volleyball: Plummer leads Conegliano; Dani Drews wins in Japan; Mims stays hot for Nantes

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

Champions League

Kathryn Plummer had 12 kills, two blocks and two aces for Imoco Conegliano was named MVP as her team advanced to the semifinals by defeating VakifBank in four sets. 

Kelsey Robinson Cook added nine kills, two blocks and two aces.

Jordan Thompson had nine kills for VakifBank, Ali Frantti added six kills and a block, and Chiaka Ogbogu had six kills and three blocks.

Milano advanced to the semifinals for the first time in club history by sweeping LKS Lodz. Kara Bajema had seven kills, two aces and a block for Milano and Dana Rettke came on as a sub and had three kills on four swings.

Scandicci lost in five to Eczacibasi. Scandicci’s Haleigh Washington had nine kills, five blocks and three aces and Lindsey Ruddins had a block.

Stuttgart’s Cinderella run fell short when eliminated by Fenerbahce in four sets. Krystal Rivers led Stuttgart with 16 kills. Subs Kayla Haneline had three kills and two blocks and Alexis Hart had four kills.

CEV Cup

NUC Viteos became the first team to advance to a European Cup final after they won a golden set, 15-13, against Budowlani Lodz. NUC will play Chieri, which swept Paris AC.

Lodz won the initial match in four sets to force a golden set. NUC’s Madeline Haynes led all scorers with 21 kills and an ace. Tia Scambray added 20 kills and a block, Tessa Grubbs contributed 16 kills and three blocks and  Jasmine Gross had four kills and three blocks. 

Mac May led Lodz with 15 kills and four blocks. Coach Lauren Bertolacci of Australia will be the first female head coach since 2008 in a European final. She is assisted by former USC staffer Haley Brightwell.

Chieri’s Avery Skinner had 10 kills and three aces, Madi Kingdon appeared as a sub and had seven kills. Emily Thater of Paris had three kills, three blocks and an ace.

CEV Challenge Cup

Taylor Mims had 18 kills, a block and an ace, but Nantes lost to Novara in the final. Jaelyn Keene, named Best Server, had five kills and an ace.

Japan

Dani Drews had 22 kills as the NEC Red Rockets claimed the Japanese league title by upsetting previously undefeated JT Marvelous in four sets. Annie Drews of JT Marvelous led all players with 26 kills, a block and an ace for JT Marvelous. Annie Drews was named best opposite and best server of the league.

Italy

Conegliano (22-0) overcame…