Women’s pro volleyball: Wilhite-Parsons, NEC win in Japan; Lee leads Stuttgart; Skinner, Beziers advance

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

Japan

Sarah Wilhite-Parsons and NEC Red Rockets claimed the Japanese league title by beating Toray 25-23, 25-14, 20-25, 22-25, 16-14. Wilhite-Parsons was the joint-top scorer with 20 kills and four blocks as NEC claimed its first title since 2017 with the victory.

Germany

Defending-champion Stuttgart started the best-of-three semifinals with a 25-23, 26-24, 25-21 sweep over Dresden. Simone Lee was named MVP after getting 13 kills (.545) and a block. Krystal Rivers also contributed 13 kills and a block.

Lindsey Ruddins had 33 kills and hit .413, but Schwerin could not convert one of eight match points and lost to Potsdam 25-19, 23-25, 21-25, 35-33, 15-11 in the first semifinal match.

Suhl could not complete the upset in the quarterfinals and lost to Potsdam 17-25, 25-11, 23-25, 25-14, 15-12. Danielle Harbin led Suhl with 19 kills and four blocks. Julia Brown added eight kills and an ace. Setter Jenna Ewert had three kills and an ace.

Italy

Imoco Conegliano advanced to the semifinals by dispatching Busto Arsizio 25-15, 25-19, 26-24. Kathryn Plummer had three kills and two blocks and Kelsey Cook did not play. Carli Lloyd had three kills and three blocks for Busto Arsizio.

Casalmaggiore kept its playoff hopes alive by upsetting Milano 30-28, 25-18, 20-25, 23-25, 15-12 as Ali Frantti had 17 kills. Reserve Courtney Buzzerio and had two aces in a key run. Setter Lauren Carlini added three kills. Jordan Thompson came off the bench to have 18 kills and two blocks for Milano. Dana Rettke contributed three kills.

Novara advanced to the semis by sweeping Chieri 25-20, 25-22, 25-15 as McKenzie Adams had eight kills and two aces. Brionne Butler did not play in the match for Chieri.

Scandicci earned its place in the semifinals by sweeping Bergamo 25-18, 25-14, 25-14 as Haleigh Washington had five kills, three blocks and an ace. Khalia Lanier led Bergamo with six kills, while Mac May had three as a substitute.

Thompson ended Casalmaggiore’s playoff run as Milano won the final game of the series 25-21, 25-22, 22-25, 25-21. Thompson was named MVP after getting 28 kills (.511) and three blocks. Larson returned from her injury absence and had nine kills, two blocks and two aces for Milano. Rettke had three kills in a substitute appearance….