International volleyball: Rettke, Bajema, Plummer, Lanier, Robinson Cook in Champions semifinals

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 and Imoco Coneliano continue to play in the semfinals, which means a USA-loaded matches including Dana Rettke, Kara Bajema, Katheryn Plummer, Khalia Lanier and Kelsey Robinson Cook.

Milano swept Fenerbahce in one semifinal series, as Rettke had three kills and a block and Bajema appeared as a blocking substitute.

Imoco Conegliano needed a reverse sweep to overcome Eczacibasi as Plummer was Conegliano’s second-top scorer with 15 kills and an ace. Lanier came off the bench to have 10 kills and an ace and Cook started the first two sets, finishing with two kills.

CEV Cup

Chieri and Avery Skinner are one step closer after sweeping NUC Viteos in the first match of the finals series. Skinner had 10 kills (hitting .426) and three blocks for Chieri. Madi Kingdon Rushel added seven kills. Tia Scambray of NUC Viteos was the top scorer 19 kills (.457). Madeline Haynes had seven kills and two blocks. Tessa Grubbs added six kills, while Jasmine Gross had four kills and a block.

Italy

Conegliano (25-0) is one game away from a perfect regular season after sweeping Pinerolo (11-14). Plummer and Cook were both top scorers for Conegliano had 15 points each. Plummer had 14 kills (.636) and a block and Cook had 12 kills, two blocks and an ace. Lanier added one kill as part of a double sub with setter Madi Bugg.

Firenze’s (10-15) playoff hopes were dashed in a four-set loss to Milano (21-4). Bajema had a match-high five aces, five kills and a block for and Rettke did not play. Kendall Kipp led Firenze with 13 kills, three aces, and two blocks.

Simone Lee helped Casalmaggiore (10-15) keep its playoff hopes alive by upsetting Vallefoglia (11-14) in four sets. Lee had 19 kills (.421) and two blocks. Micha Hancock set for Casalmaggiore, finishing with one kill, a block and an ace.

Trentino (3-21), although already relegated, played spoiler to Busto Arsizio (7-18), beating the Butterflies in four sets as Carly DeHoog had a match-high 19 kills.

Haleigh Washington was named MVP as Scandicci (21-4) swept Roma (11-14). Washington had seven kills (.700), six blocks and two aces. Lindsey Ruddins added 12 kills. Courtney Schwan contributed three kills for Roma.

Chieri (14-11) swept Cuneo (7-18). Kingdon had nine kills but Skinner…