Women’s pro volleyball: MVP performance for Rivers, big weeks for Grubbs, Scully

This is our weekly update on USA women playing professional volleyball around the world. Most of the players are former NCAA standouts. Many teams and leagues are on break for the holidays:

Champions League

Milano bounced back from a slow start to beat Alba Blaj of Romania 20-25, 25-16, 25-21, 25-21. Dana Rettke came off the bench to have three kills (hitting .750) and a block in set four. Jordan Larson was used as a serving substitute, but Jordan Thompson did not play.

VakifBank held off the challenge from Potsdam (Germany) 25-22, 35-33, 20-25, 25-21. Chiaka Ogbogu had 10 kills (.471) and a block and Kara Bajema added 13 kills for VakifBank.

Stuttgart pulled off the upset of the season by beating the Turkish giant Fenerbahce 25-22, 25-23, 18-25, 22-25, 15-10. Krystal Rivers was named MVP after having 23 kills, a block and an ace. Simone Lee came off the bench to contribute eight kills (.467).

CEV Cup

THY advanced to the round of 16 by sweeping Switzerland’s NUC Viteos 25-20, 25-20, 25-14. Madi Kingdon had four kills and two blocks for THY. Tessa Grubbs led NUC with 11 kills, three aces and a block. Madeline Haynes added 11 kills and a block while Kayla Lund also had 11 kills.

TFOC also advanced to the next round by sweeping Olomouc (Czech Republic) 28-26, 26-24, 28-26. Shannon Scully had the best match of her professional career so far as she had 20 kills (.436), three blocks, and an ace. Taylor Fricano had 11 kills, two blocks and an ace. Kendall White was credited with 60% positive reception.

Challenge Cup

Panathinaikos eliminated Nantes to advance to the round of 16 after winning 25-16, 25-18, 23-25, 25-19. Adora Anae led Panathinaikos with 14 kills and added a block. Taylor Mims was the top scorer for Nantes with 13 kills, two blocks, and two aces. Alli Stumler came off the bench to contribute 11 kills. Jaelyn Keene had seven kills and two blocks,

Haifa VC dispatched UVC Holding Graz to advance to the round of 16 as well (25-14, 25-19, 23-25, 25-18). Briana Holman led all scorers with nine blocks and added nine kills (.750) for the Israeli club.

Italy

Casalmaggiore moved into sixth place by sweeping Bergamo 25-22, 25-19, 25-23. Ali Frantti had eight kills and three blocks for Casalmaggiore (7-6). Lauren Carlini added two aces, a block, and a kill. Khalia Lanier led Bergamo (6-7) with 10 kills and a block. Mac May added three…