Women’s pro report: Americans lead the way in CEV Champions League, Cup

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

Champions League

The CEV Champions League group stage began as Potsdam swept Budowlani Lodz. Justine Wong-Orantes was credited with 36% positive reception for Potsdam. Danielle Harbin had three kills and a block as a substitute. Mac May had six kills, one block, and an ace for Lodz.

Dana Rettke had four kills and a match-high five blocks as Milano cruised past Stara Pazova of Serbia. Kara Bajema did not play.

VakifBank began its title defense by sweeping Mulhouse as Ali Frantti led with 10 kills and three aces. Jordan Thompson had 10 kills. Chiaka Ogbogu added five kills, two blocks and an ace. Annayka Legros led Mulhouse with 10 kills and an ace. Jaali Winters had nine kills and a block and Carli Snyder had two kills.

Taylor Bannister had 12 kills but Vasas Budapest was swept by Turkish giant Eczacibasi.

Scandicci swept Plovdiv of Bulgaria. Haleigh Washington had six kills (hitting .750) for Scandicci. Ciara DeBell had five kills and a block for Plovdiv.

Conegliano overcame a relatively slow start to sweep Asterix Beveren. Khalia Lanier had nine kills and an ace. Madi Bugg, setting for Conegliano, added two kills and a block. Kathryn Plummer had three kills as a substitute.

Stuttgart fell in a back-and-forth five-set encounter with the Polish team Rzeszow. Krystal Rivers had 22 kills and two blocks for Stuttgart. Kayla Haneline was injured.

CEV Cup

Porto beat Oudegem in four in the round of 32 as Taylor Sandbothe had 13 kills and two blocks. Lauren Matthews had nine kills and five blocks. Lauren Page had six kills, two blocks and two aces. Kyra Holt came off the bench to have three kills and an ace.

Beziers swept Brcko to gain the advantage in the series. Taylor Fricano had nine kills and a block. Serena Gray added seven kills (.778) and a block. Claire Hoffman led Beziers with seven kills, two blocks and two aces. Setter Ella May Powell had a kill, a block and an ace.

Chieri swept Dudingen as Madi Kingdon had seven kills (.700) and two blocks while playing the first two sets. Avery Skinner did not play.

Grace Frohling helped Dresdner past Gran Canaria with 13 kills. Tia Jimerson added five kills and four blocks.

CEV Challenge Cup

Kash Williams led PAOK past Prostejov in their first…