This is our weekly update on USA women playing professional volleyball around the world. Most of the players are former NCAA standouts:
Japan
The Japanese League started the same way as Annie Drews left it in 2021, with Drews powering JT Marvelous to victory. In the first match Drews had 17 kills (.444), two aces, and a block as JT Marvelous swept Queenseis. Drews followed that with 17 kills (.571), a block and an ace in a sweep against Ageo.
McKenzie Adams made her Japan debut and helped lead Hisamitsu Springs to two victories. In the first match, Adams had 18 kills, two blocks, and an ace in a four-set win over Ageo before more than 7,000 fans. Hisamitsu Springs then swept Queenseis and Adams had 14 kills (.481) and two blocks.
Italy
In the blockbuster match of the week, Milano held off Scandicci 27-25, 25-18, 25-27, 22-25, 16-14 and Dana Rettke was named MVP for having13 kills with no errors, hitting .722. Kara Bajema came off the bench to provide a boost to Milano in the fourth and fifth sets and had six kills (.750) and a block.
Milano plays Conegliano in the Italian Super Cup at 11:30 a.m. Eastern on Saturday and it can be seen on VolleyballWorld.tv (Use promo code VOLLEYBALLMAG for a discount on monthly or annual subscriptions).
Conegliano and Kelsey Cook, who had 14 kills and three aces, beat Chieri in four. Khalia Lanier had 12 kills, while Kathryn Plummer did not play. Avery Skinner was the second-top scorer for Chieri with 14 kills and one block. Madi Kingdon added 12 kills and an ace.
Cuneo lost to Vallefoglia in four. Anna Stevenson-Hall led Cuneo with 11 kills (.500), four blocks, and an ace. Madi Kubik was credited with 67% positive reception as a sub.
Firenze got its first win by sweeping Bergamo. Lauren Stivrins had three kills.
Roma squandered a two-set lead and won the fifth 15-13 against Busto Arsizio. Courtney Schwan had three kills and a block for Roma.
Turkey
In the first matches of the week, VakifBank survived against the newly promoted Besiktas, claiming the fifth set 15-9. Chiaka Ogbogu had nine kills (.500) and three blocks for VakifBank. Ali Frantti had four kills and a block as a sub. Jordan Thompson played briefly and had no stats.
Kuzeyboru upset THY in four sets. Sarah Parsons led with 24 kills (.373) and an ace.
Lauren Carlini was unable to help Aydin beat Cukurova, finishing with a block and an ace in the four-set loss.
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