Women’s pro report: VakifBank loses Club Worlds, but 31 kills for Jordan Thompson

This is our weekly update on USA women playing professional volleyball around the world. Most of the players are former NCAA standouts. We’ll have a report next week, but Japan and Türkiye are taking a break for the holidays:

Club World Championship

VakifBank lost a five-set final to Eczacibasi in the Club World Championship despite 31 kills from Jordan Thompson, who hit .452 and had a block and an ace. Teammate Chiaka Ogbogu was the best blocker in the match with six blocks, to go along with 10 kills. Frantti added three kills and a block.

VakifBank swept Tianjin (China) in the semifinals as Thompson had 11 kills, two blocks and an ace. Ali Frantti had 10 kills, two blocks and an ace and Ogbogu had three kills and a block.

Minas went 0-2 in pool play. Jenna Gray missed after injuring her ankle the day before the competition began. Annie Mitchem had five kills across the two matches against Eczacibasi and Tianjin.

Italy

Scandicci (10-2) won its seventh match in a row, holding off Roma after winning the first two sets and then the fifth 15-7. Haleigh Washington was Scandicci’s second leading scorer with eight kills (.500), five blocks and two aces. Lindsey Ruddins had seven kills. Courtney Schwan had eight kills, a block and an ace for Roma (6-6).

Casalmaggiore’s (2-10) struggles continued when it was swept by Vallefoglia. Simone Lee had 11 kills in her first start for Casalmaggiore. Setter Micha Hancock added five kills, two aces and a block.

Milano (11-1) swept Firenze (5-7) as Kaja Bajema had one of her best matches this season with 12 kills (.500). Dana Rettke added a kill and an ace. Lauren Stivrins made a brief substitute appearance for Firenze.

Conegliano (12-0) was pushed to a fifth set for the first time this season, but beat Pinerolo as Khalia Lanier had 16 kills, two blocks and an ace. Kelsey Robinson Cook had one kill as a brief substitute. Kathryn Plummer did not play.

Chieri (7-5) overcame a sloppy third set to beat Cuneo (4-8) in four sets. Avery Skinner had 10 kills, two blocks and an ace and Madi Kingdon followed with 10 kills and a block. Madi Kubik had 10 kills and an ace for Cuneo. Anna Stevenson-Hall added five kills and two blocks.

Busto Arsizio (4-8) swept Trentino (1-11). T’Ara Ceasar appeared as a…