Women’s pro volleyball: Drews leads Vallefoglia; Ruddins, Schwerin win in Germany

This is our weekly update on USA women playing professional volleyball around the world. The Turkish league is on hold until March:

CEV Cup

Olympiacos lost 25-19, 23-25, 18-25, 25-17, 15-9 to Targoviste of Romania in the first leg of their quarterfinal matchup. Jaali Winters had seven kills and an ace for Olympiacos while starting the first two sets.

Scandicci won its first quarterfinal match by sweeping Potsdam 29-27, 26-24, 25-19 as Haleigh Washington had six kills and a block.

Madi Kingdon had eight kills as THY finished the first round of quarterfinal matches by sweeping Mulhouse 25-18, 25-15, 25-16.

Challenge Cup

Chieri is one step away from the final after sweeping Suhl 25-17, 25-17, 25-17. Brionne Butler did not play for Chieri, but Julia Brown led Suhl with eight kills, two blocks, and two aces and Danielle Harbin added five kills.

Italy

Annie Drews powered Vallefoglia past Firenze 25-21, 25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 25-13. Drews was the top scorer and MVP with 27 kills and a block. Micha Hancock added four kills and a block while setting for Vallefoglia (8-12). Firenze (9-11) saw its five-match win streak snapped. Rhamat Alhassan did not play.

Scandicci (16-4) won its fourth match in a row, beating Milano 25-22, 26-28, 25-22, 21-25, 15-7 despite 27 kills by Jordan Thompson. Washington had six kills, a block and an ace. Thompson hit .453 and had a block for Milano (15-5). Jordan Larson was limited to three kills while Dana Rettke added one in a substitute appearance.

Chieri earned a hard fought win over Busto Arsizio i20-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-22. Butler came off the bench for Chieri (14-6) to add four kills and a block. Carli Lloyd had four kills and two blocks while setting for Busto Arsizio (9-11).

Cuneo finally earned its first win of 2023 by sweeping Macerata 25-21, 25-17, 25-20. Anna Stevenson-Hall had seven kills and an ace for Cuneo (7-13). Dani Drews appeared as a serving substitute. Symone Abbot had six kills for Macerata (2-18). Claire Chaussee had two kills in a substitute appearance.

Bergamo (10-10) earned its fourth win in five matches by sweeping Perugia 25-21, 25-15, 25-21as Khalia Lanier was the top scorer with 17 kills (.556) and a block.

Conegliano (19-1) survived a five-setter with Pinerolo as Kathryn Plummer was named MVP in the match after having 20 kills (.432), a block, and an ace in the (22-25, 25-22,…