This is our weekly update on USA women playing professional volleyball around the world. Most of the players are former NCAA standouts. Speaking of which, see our other story that lists where the most recent crop of college players have signed:
Japan
League-leading JT Marvelous (12-2) started the second half with a weekend
sweep of Hisamitsu Springs, winning the first 25-20, 25-22, 24-26, 25-23. Karsta Lowe had 20 kills (.413), one block, and an ace. Her team won the second 25-20, 22-25, 25-18, 25-14) and she had 13 kills (.500).
Hitachi Rivale (6-8) split with Himeji. In the first match, Hitachi swept 25-22, 25-21, 25-20 as Hannah Tapp had six kills, three blocks and two aces. In the second, Himeji won 25-23, 28-26, 9-25, 25-23 and Tapp finished with seven kills, two blocks and an ace..
Toyota Autobody Queenseis (8-6) split with third-place Toray, sweeping the first 25-17, 25-10, 25-15. Danielle Cuttino was the top scorer for Queenseis with 12 kills. Queenseis bounced back 20-25, 25-19, 28-26, 25-21 in the second and Cuttino led all scorers with 25 kills.
Italy
Chieri (10-4) won its third in a row, battling past a short-handed Casalmaggiore 19-25, 25-19, 25-17, 20-25, 15-12 as Brionne Butler came off the bench and contributed a block. Ali Frantti led Casalmaggiore (7-7) with 20 kills, two aces and a block. Lauren Carlini added a block and an ace.
Busto Arsizio swept Firenze 25-20, 25-19, 25-20 Carli Lloyd had two kills and an ace for Busto Arsizio (6-8). Rhamat Alhassan came off the bench to add two blocks as Firenze (4-10) lost its fourth in a row.
Imoco Conegliano (13-1) held off a late challenge to sweep Bergamo 25-21, 25-17, 28-26. Kathryn Plummer had 10 kills (hitting .421) and two blocks. Kelsey Robinson-Cook came off the bench as a receiving specialist and recorded two perfect passes. Khalia Lanier led Bergamo with eight kills, a blockand an ace. Mac May added four kills as Bergamo (6-8) lost its third in a row.
Scandicci (11-3) won its fifth in a row as it began the second half by sweeping Perugia (25-13, 25-17, 25-19). Haleigh Washington did not play. Stephanie Samedy came off the bench to add four kills and an ace for Perugia. Tori Dilfer left the team over the break due to injury.
Dana Rettke made her return to the starting lineup as Milano (12-2) swept Pinerolo 25-22, 25-21, 25-21 and finished with eight kills (.889) and two blocks. Jordan…
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