Women’s pro volleyball: Skinner, Mohler, Lilley, JWO lead Beziers to French title

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

France

Beziers won the team’s first French Cup with a 25-22, 21-25, 25-17, 15-25, 15-10 victory over Cannes. Avery Skinner was named MVP after getting a match-high 23 kills. Blake Molher added 10 kills and an ace. Setter Madison Lilley added an ace and libero Justine Wong-Orantes was credited with 50% positive reception.

Carli Snyder led Cannes with 17 kills, two blocks and two aces. Claire Felix had 12 kills and three blocks. Madeline Gates added six kills and an ace. Setter Jenna Gray had three kills and a block.

Italy

Milano won its fourth in a row by sweeping Firenze 25-11, 25-23, 25-22. Jordan Larson had nine kills (.500), a block and an ace for Milano (19-6). Dana Rettke added five kills (.556), two blocks and an ace. Jordan Thompson did not play. Reserve Rhamat Alhassan had three blocks for Firenze (9-16), which was eliminated from playoff contention.

Novara (18-7) overcame a slow start and beat Vallefoglia 16-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-21. McKenzie Adams had two kills and an ace as a substitute. Annie Drews led Vallefoglia (10-15) with 17 kills and a block. Micha Hancock had four blocks as Vallefoglia was eliminated from playoff contention.

Busto Arsizio snuffed out Cuneo’s playoff hopes with a 25-22, 24-26, 19-25, 25-22, 15-12 win. Carli Lloyd had four blocks and a kill for Busto Arsizio (12-13), currently seventh in the standings. Anna Stevenson-Hall had her best match of the season with 16 kills and three blocks for Cuneo (9-16).

Imoco Conegliano (24-1) continued its dominance by sweeping Macerata 25-15, 25-22, 25-21. Kathryn Plummer led with 12 kills (.526), two blocks and two aces. Stephanie Samedy added four kills. Claire Chausee led Macerata (3-22) with 13 kills. Macerata’s fate of relegation was sealed.

Pinerolo moved out of the relegation zone with a 25-17, 26-28, 25-21, 25-19 win over Casalmaggiore (12-13). Ali Frantti was limited to six kills, a block and an ace for Casalmaggiore and setter Lauren Carlini had two kills and a block.

Second-place Scandicci (20-5) put on a clinic by sweeping Bergamo 25-15, 25-14, 25-15. Haleigh Washington had two kills, a block and an ace. Reserve Khalia Lanier had 12 kills (.400) and an ace for…