Women’s pro volleyball: Cook, Plummer, Imoco Conegliano win FIVB Club; 24 kills for Mims in France

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

FIVB Club World Championship

In the championship match, Imoco Conegliano claimed its second Club World Championship title by beating VakifBank 25-18, 23-25, 25-21, 25-21.

Kelsey Cook was named Best Outside Hitter after having seven kills, two blocks and an ace. Kathryn Plummer had 10 kills, a block and an ace. Chiaka Ogbogu of VakifBank was named Best Middle Blocker and had four kills and a block. Kara Bajema came off the bench and had two kills for VakifBank.

In the semifinals, Imoco Conegliano defeated Brazil’s Gerdau Minas 25-12, 25-17, 25-21 as Cook had seven kills, hit .700 and made no errors. Plummer did not play.

Vakifbank swept Eczacibasi 25-21, 25-19, 25-23 as Ogbogu had eight kills (.583) and three blocks for Vakifbank, including the match winner. Bajema did not play.

France

Beziers recovered from a slow start to beat Saint Raphael 22-25, 25-16, 25-10, 25-17. Avery Skinner had 12 kills, a block and an ace. Blake Mohler added four kills and two blocks. Justine Wong-Orantes was credited with 60% positive reception. Madison Lilley contributed a match-high two aces, two kills and a block as Beziers (7-5) won its third match in a row.

TFOC fell to Mulhouse 25-27, 25-23, 21-25, 25-14, 18-16. Taylor Fricano led TFOC (8-4) with 17 kills, two blocks and an ace. Shannon Scully added 16 kills and two blocks. Kendall White was credited with 75% positive reception.

Nantes stayed atop the standings by beating Cannes (25-18, 25-22, 22-25, 25-15). Taylor Mims was named MVP as she had 24 kills (.407). Jaelyn Keene added seven kills, two aces, and a block for Nantes (11-1). Claire Felix had nine kills and a block for Cannes. Carli Synder added nine kills while Madeleine Gates had six kills, a block and an ace. Jenna Gray had two aces and a kill as Cannes (7-5) lost its second match in a row.

🚨 J12 – LAF 🏐
NEPTUNES 3⃣-1⃣ RC CANNES
(25-18, 25-22, 22-25, 25-15)

➡️ Nantes déroule le tapis rouge !
👉 https://t.co/nGEaYuH3j5@LNVofficiel @FFvolley @CEVolleyball @neptunes_volley @rccannes pic.twitter.com/IRWmvYb7hw

— Les Neptunes de Nantes Volley-Ball (@neptunes_volley) December 17, 2022

Paris SC set aside Venelles 25-14, 25-18, 24-26, 27-25. Emily Thater was the second top scorer for Paris SC (10-2) with 10 kills (.500), a match-high…