COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 28, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Team season may be over, but the vast majority of players are competing in overseas pro leagues. Find below the latest news on the team members playing abroad.
2019 SEASON RECAP: The U.S. Women’s National Team reached five podiums in 2019 and concluded their 2019 season with a 44-7 record in tournament play. The Americans won gold at the FIVB Volleyball Nations League, Pan American Cup and NORCECA Champions Cup. The U.S. finished with silver medals at the FIVB World Cup and the NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship. Team USA qualified for the 2020 Olympic Games by winning its Tokyo Qualification Tournament pool on home soil.
USA VOLLEYBALL COACHING LEGEND MIKE HEBERT PASSES AWAY: USA Volleyball legendary volleyball coach Mike Hebert passed away on Oct. 21 in San Diego at the age of 75. Coaching volleyball was a labor of love for Hebert, who coached 35 seasons at the collegiate level and four decades lending his expertise to the U.S. Women’s National Team and USA Volleyball’s High Performance pipeline. He was named USA Volleyball’s Donald S. Shondell All-Time Great Coach in 2011. “Mike Hebert was a special man and a special coach, and our volleyball world will miss him dearly,” U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly said. “He served USA Volleyball at so many levels over many years, both players and coaches, and his wisdom, perspective and humor were unique. Any day spent with Mike was a day that made us better, and made us grateful. We’re sending prayers for strength and comfort to all of Mike’s family and friends.”
COURTNEY, HANCKOCK WITH NOVARA IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Libero/outside hitter Megan Courtney (Dayton, Ohio, Instagram) and setter Micha Hancock (Edmond, Oklahoma, Instagram, Twitter) are playing for Igor Gorgonzola Novara in the Italian Serie A1 and European Champions League this winter. Novara won its season-opener 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 25-22 versus Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo on Oct. 13. Hancock set Novara to a 39 kill percent to go with three aces and two kills on two attacks. Novara lost to Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 28-30, 15-13 on Oct. 20. Hancock, starting all but the third set, set Novara to a 37 kill percent and scored two aces and two kills on two attacks. Courtney, who just arrived after competing for Team USA in the NORCECA Championship as a libero, started the second set at outside hitter and was a sub in three sets as she compiled three kills on 14 attacks. Novara edged Il Bisonte Firenze 25-27, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 15-11 on Oct. 23. Hancock set Novara to a 40 kill percent and scored four aces, one kill and one block for six points. Courtney produced 12 kills on 35 swings and an ace for 13 points. She handled 28 receptions with an 86 positive percent. Novara blanked Lardini Filottrano 26-24, 25-18, 25-19 on Oct. 26. Hancock set Novara to a 44 kill percent and added two kills on three swings and an ace for three points. Courtney, starting all three sets at outside hitter, tallied seven kills on 19 swings and a block for eight points. Novara (3-1, 9 points) faces fourth-place Unet E-Works Busto Arsizio (2-1, 7 points) on Oct. 30 followed by a Nov. 3 contest against eighth-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci (2-1, 4 points). Novara is grouped in Pool C of the European Champions League with Poland’s LKS Comercecon, Poland’s Allianz MTV Stuttgart and the winner of VK Up Olomouc and Khimik Yuzhny. Champions League fourth round action begins the week of Nov. 19.
FOECKE WITH FIRENZE IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Outside hitter Mikaela Foecke (West Point, Iowa, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Il Bisonte Firenze in the Italian Serie A1 for the 2019-2020 season. Firenze won its season opener 25-21, 18-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15-11 over Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio on Oct. 13. Foecke tallied seven kills on 21 swings and a block for eight points in starting the first two sets. Firenze defeated Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta 18-25, 27-25, 25-21, 25-22 on Oct. 20. Foecke, who started all but the second set, tallied a team-high 20 points with 17 kills on 28 swings, two aces and a block. She also had a 57 positive reception percent on 30 chances. Firenze nearly upset Igor Gorgonzola Novara on Oct. 23 before falling 25-27, 23-25, 25-16, 25-18, 15-11. Foecke pocketed 10 kills on 35 attacks and two blocks for 12 points. She was credited with a 72 positive reception percent on 36 chances. Firenze improved to 3-1 on the season with a 28-26, 25-23, 25-22 victory over Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia on Oct. 26. Foecke turned in eight kills on 22 attacks, one block and one ace for 10 points. She was credited with a 31 positive reception percent on 16 chances. Firenze (3-1, 9 points), which is in third place, challenges sixth-place Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri (2-1, 6 points) on Oct. 31 followed by a Nov. 3 contest against seventh-place Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia (2-2, 5 points).
WASHINGTON, LOWE WITH BUSTO ARSIZIO IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Middle Haleigh Washington (Colorado Springs, Colorado, Instagram, Twitter) and opposite Karsta Lowe (Rancho Santa Fe, California, Instagram) are playing for Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio in the Italian Serie A1 and CEV Cup this winter. Busto Arsizio was without Washington and Lowe to start the season as they were still competing for Team USA in the NORCECA Championship. Busto Arsizio lost the opener 25-21, 18-25, 20-25, 25-15, 15-11 to Il Bisonte Firenze on Oct. 13. Busto Arsizio bounced back to defeat Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 on Oct. 20. Lowe was a sub in the second set before starting the third set, compiling six kills on 13 attacks. Busto Arsizio stopped Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia 28-30, 25-21, 25-18, 25-16 on Oct. 27. Lowe scored a team-high 19 points with 18 kills on 42 swings and a block. Washington, making her 2019-20 debut, totaled 15 points with 13 kills on 22 attacks and two blocks. Busto Arzisio (2-1, 7 points), now in fourth place, faces second-place Igor Gorgonzola Novara (3-1, 9 points) on Oct. 30 followed by a Nov. 3 contest versus 13th-place Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia (0-3, 0 points). Busto Arsizio is in the 16th Finals Round of the CEV Cup where it awaits the loser of VK Up Olomouc and Khimik Yuzhny from the third round of the Champions League.
POULTER WITH CHIERI IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Setter Jordyn Poulter (Aurora, Colorado, Instagram, Twitter) is competing for Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri in the Italian Serie A1 for the 2019-20 pro season along with American Amber Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska) Chieri was without the services of Poulter to start the season as she was still competing for Team USA at the NORCECA Championship. Chieri started the year with a 25-23, 25-19, 22-25, 25-15 victory over Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia on Oct. 13. Rolfzen tallied 13 points with nine kills on 20 attacks and four blocks. Chieri lost to Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio 25-15, 25-19, 25-19 on Oct. 20. Poulter, in her 2019-20 club debut, was a sub in the first and third sets. Rolfzen turned in six kills on 11 errorless attacks and a block for seven points. Chieri downed Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-13 on Oct. 27. Poulter set Chieri to a 49 kill percent and added two kills on three swings and an ace for three points. Rolfzen contributed seven kills on 12 swings, three blocks and an ace for 11 points. Chieri (2-1, 6 points), in sixth place, faces third-place Il Bisonte Firenze (3-1, 9 points) on Oct. 31 followed by a Nov. 3 match versus fifth-place Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo (2-1, 6 points).
JONES-PERRY WITH BRESICA IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry (West Jordan, Utah, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia in the Italian Serie A1 this winter. Brescia won its season-opener 25-21, 26-28, 26-24, 25-17 over Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta on Oct. 13. Jones-Perry collected 11 points with 10 kills on 22 attacks and a block. She was credited with a 50 positive reception percent on 20 chances. Brescia dropped a 25-17, 25-15, 25-14 match to Conegliano on Oct. 16. No individual stats are available for the match. Brescia won its second match of the season with a 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 28-30, 15-13 battle over Igor Gorgonzola Novara on Oct. 20. Jones-Perry scored three kills on seven errorless attacks as a sub in the fourth set. Brescia lost to Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio 28-30, 25-21, 25-18, 25-16 on Oct. 27. Jones-Perry was a sub in the third set. Brescia (2-2, 5 points), now in seventh place, takes on fifth-place Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo (2-1, 6 points) on Oct. 31 before challenging third-place Il Bisonte Firenze (3-1, 9 points) on Nov. 3.
OGBGOBU, HILL WITH CONEGLIANO IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Middle Chiaka Ogbogu (Coppell, Texas, Instagram, Twitter) and outside hitter Kim Hill (Portland, Oregon, Instagram) are playing in the Italian Serie A1 and European Champions League for Imoco Volleyball Conegliano this winter. Conegliano opened the season without the services of Ogbogu and Hill, who were still competing for Team USA at the NORCECA Championship. Conegliano won its season opener 25-19, 25-23, 25-20 against Saugella Monza. Conegliano blanked Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia 25-17, 25-15, 25-14 on Oct. 16. Conegliano captured its third victory with a 25-11, 25-23, 25-23 win over Lardini Filottrano on Oct. 20. Conegliano improved to 3-0 with a 25-21, 25-16, 25-18 victory over Pomi Casalmaggiore on Oct. 27. Hill was a sub in the opening set. Conegliano (4-0, 12 points), which sits atop the Italian Serie A league as the lone undefeated team, returns to action on Oct. 31 against 12th-place Golden Tulip Volalto Caserta (0-3, 0 points) followed by a Nov. 4 contest versus ninth-place Zanetti Bergamo (1-2, 4 points). Conegliano is in Pool D of the European Champions League with Nantes, C.S.M. Volei Alba Blaj and the winner of Vasas Obuda Budapest and Partizani Tirana. Champions League fourth round action begins the week of Nov. 19.
ALHASSAN WITH CASERTA IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Middle Rhamat Alhassan (Glenarden, Maryland, Instagram, Twitter) is competing for Golden Tulip Volato 2.0 Caserta in the Italian Serie A1 this winter. Caserta lost its season-opener 25-21, 26-28, 26-24, 25-17 to Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia on Oct. 13. Alhassan tallied 11 kills on 20 attacks and a block for 12 points. Caserta dropped an 18-25, 27-25, 25-21, 25-22 match to Il Bisonte Firenze on Oct. 20. Alhassan contributed 14 points with 10 kills on 21 attacks and four blocks. Caserta lost to Reale Mutua Fenera Caserta 25-23, 22-25, 25-21, 25-13 on Oct. 27. Alhassan did her part by scoring 12 kills on 15 errorless attacks with two blocks for 14 points. Caserta (0-3, 0 points), which is in 12th place, takes on first-place Imoco Volley Conegliano (4-0, 12 points) on Oct. 31 followed by a Nov. 3 contest against 11th-place Saugella Monza (1-2, 3 points).
CUTTINO WITH CASALMAGGIORE IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Opposite Danielle Cuttino (Indianapolis, Indiana, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Epiu Pomi Casalmaggiore in the Italian Serie A1 during the 2019-2020 pro season. Casalmaggiore was edged 26-24, 22-25, 21-25, 32-30, 15-12 by Savino Del Bene Scandicci its season-opener on Oct. 13. Cuttino scored 19 kills on 57 attacks and a block for 20 points. Casalmaggiore bounced back to defeat Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia 25-22, 22-25, 25-21, 25-17 on Oct. 20. Cuttino scored a match-high 24 points with 21 kills on 42 attacks and three blocks. Casalmaggiore lost to league-leader Imoco Volley Conegliano 25-21, 25-16, 25-18 on Oct. 27. Cuttino scored six kills in the loss. Casalmaggiore (1-2, 4 points), in 10th place), returns to action on Oct. 31 against ninth-place Zanetti Bergamo (1-2, 4 points) followed by a Nov. 3 contest versus 14th-place Lardini Filottrano (0-3, 0 points).
DREWS WITH JT MARVELOUS IN JAPAN V-LEAGUE: Opposite Annie Drews (Elkhart, Indiana, Instagram, Twitter) is playing in the Japan V-League this winter with JT Marvelous. With Drews still competing for the U.S. in the NORCECA Championship, JT Marvelous lost its V-League opener to Toyota 25-20, 25-23, 25-19 on Oct. 12. JT Marvelous rebounded with a 23-25, 25-19, 25-23, 21-25, 15-6 victory over Saitama Ageo Medics on Oct. 19. Drews collected 29 kills on 57 errorless attacks. She added two blocks and an ace for 32 total points. JT Marvelous won its second consecutive five-set match in as many days in edging Toray 17-25, 25-19, 25-22, 19-25, 15-7 on Oct. 20. Drews piled up 23 kills on 55 attacks, four blocks and two aces for 29 points. JT Marvelous eased by PFU Blue Cats 25-20, 25-22, 25-18 on Oct. 26. Drews hammered 15 kills on 34 attacks to go with a block and ace for 17 points. JT Marvelous returns to action on Nov. 2 against Toray followed by a Nov. 3 contest against PFU Blue Cats.
LEE WITH KUROBE IN JAPAN V-LEAGUE: Outside hitter Simone Lee (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Kurobe Aqua Fairies in the Japan V-League this winter. The Aqua Fairies lost its season opener to PFU Blue Cats 25-22, 25-18, 23-25, 25-15 on Oct. 12. Lee scored 23 kills on 54 swings and two blocks for 25 points. Kurobe lost to JT Marvelous 25-20, 23-25, 25-22, 12-25, 17-15 on Oct. 13 in the second match of the season. Lee scored 18 kills on 50 attacks, two blocks and an ace for 21 points. The Aqua Fairies dropped a 25-22, 25-22, 20-25, 25-14 match to Toyota on Oct. 19. Lee tallied 26 kills on 67 attacks and an ace for 27 points. Kurobe lost to Saitama Ageo Medics 25-21, 25-19, 26-24 on Oct. 26. Lee notched 16 kills on 34 attacks and a block for 17 points. Kurobe lost to Toray 27-25, 21-25, 25-21, 28-26 on Oct. 27. Lee hammered 30 kills on 67 attacks with one block for 31 points. The Aqua Fairies return to action on Nov. 2 against PFU and Nov. 3 against Toray.
HANNAH TAPP WITH HITACHI IN JAPAN V-LEAGUE: Middle Hannah Tapp (Stewartville, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) is playing with Hitachi Rivale in the Japan V-League this winter. Hitachi defeated Himeji 16-25, 25-22, 25-14, 25-20 on Oct. 12. Hitachi lost to Hisamitsu Springs 25-21, 25-23, 25-22 on Oct. 19. Hitachi defeated Okayama Seagulls 25-21, 25-19, 25-20 on Oct. 20. Hitachi lost to NEC Red Rockets 25-19, 26-24, 25-23 on Oct. 26. Hitachi lost to Denso 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 25-15 on Oct. 27. Tapp was not available for each of the matches. Hitachi returns to action on Nov. 2 against Hisamitsu Springs followed by a Nov. 3 contest against Himeji.
RIVERS, ROSENTHAL WITH STUTTGART IN GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Opposite Krystal Rivers (Birmingham, Alabama, Instagram, Twitter) and middle Jenna Rosenthal (Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin, Instagram, Twitter) are playing for Allianz MTV Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga and the European Champions League. Stuttgart opened the season with a 13-25, 25-17, 25-20, 25-19 comeback victory over USC Munster on Oct. 5. Rivers scorched the scoresheet for 29 points with 27 kills on 50 attacks and two blocks. Rosenthal added a block in the victory. Stuttgart claimed a 25-23, 25-22, 25-14 victory over Dresdner on Oct. 12. Rivers piled up 21 kills on 45 swings and a block for 22 points. Stuttgart swept NawaRo Straubing 25-21, 25-22, 25-19 on Oct. 23. Rivers contributed 18 points with 16 kills on 29 attacks and a block. Rosenthal scored a kill as a sub in all three sets. Stuttgart topped VC Wiesbaden 25-20, 23-25, 25-20, 25-15 on Oct. 26. Rivers, who was a sub in sets two and three before starting set four, amassed six kills on 14 swings in her limited action. Rosenthal was a sub in the final set, record two blocks and a kill for three points. Stuttgart (4-0, 12 points), which leads the Bundesliga returns to action on Nov. 9 against Potsdam. In the Bundesliga hiatus, Stuttgart plays Straubing on Nov. 2 in the German Cup Round of 16. Stuttgart has been drawn into the European Champions League Pool C with Italy’s Igor Gorgonzala Novara, Poland’s LKS Commercecon and the winner of VK Up Olomouc and Khimik Yuzhny.
WONG-ORANTES WITH SCHWERIN IN GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Libero Justine Wong-Orantes (Cypress, California, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for SSC Palmberg Schwerin in the German Bundesliga this winter. Prior to Wong-Orantes’ arrival due to her commitments to Team USA, Schwerin lost to Aachen 27-25, 25-21, 20-25, 17-25, 19-17 on Oct. 3 and defeated VfBS Suhl LOTTO Thuringen 22-25, 25-18, 25-21, 25-17. Schwerin defeated Schwarz-Weiss Erfurt 25-17, 24-26, 25-22, 25-19 on Oct. 23 as Wong-Orantes compiled a 44 positive reception percent on 18 chances. Schwerin (2-1, 7 points), which ranks fourth in the Bundesliga, returns to action Oct. 30 against Vilsbiburg. Prior to resume Bundesliga action, Schwerin takes on Wiesbaden in the German Cup Round of 16 on Nov. 2. Schwerin is in the CEV Cup 16th Finals Round in which it plays home-and-home matches against Sliedrecht Sport on Dec. 4 and Dec. 17.
KADIE ROLFZEN WITH DRESDNER IN GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Outside hitter Kadie Rolfzen (Papillion, Nebraska, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Dresdner in the German Bundesliga and the CEV Challenge Cup. Rolfzen scored four kills in Dresdner’s season-opening 25-23, 25-22, 20-25, 25-22 loss to SC Potsdam on Oct. 5. Dresdner lost is second match of the season with a 25-23, 25-22, 25-14 setback to reigning league champion Allianz MTV Stuttgart on Oct. 12. Roflzen notched nine kills on 26 attack with a block for 10 points. She added a 55 positive reception percent on a team-high 22 chances. Dresdner was edged 16-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12 to Aachen in the third match of the season on Oct. 23. Rolfzen turned in 12 kills on 28 attack and a block for 13 points. She handled 34 receptions with a 44 positive percent. Dresdner defeated VfB Suhl Lotto Thuringen 25-21, 23-25, 28-26, 25-17 on Oct. 26. Rolfzen tallied six kills, two blocks and an ace for nine points. She also handled 34 of the team’s 73 receptions with a 35 positive percent. Dresdner (1-3, 4 points), in seventh place, returns to action Nov. 9 against Erfurt. In the German Bundesliga break, Dresdner faces Stuttgart II on Nov. 3 in the German Cup Round of 16. Dresdner is in the 16th Finals Round of the CEV Challenge Cup where it will face LLC Kamienskie in a home-and-home series starting Nov. 5.
SELIGER-SWENSON WITH BEZIERS IN FRENCH LEAGUE: Setter Samantha Seliger-Swenson (Minnetonka, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Beziers in the French League and the CEV Challenge Cup along with American teammate Alexa Smith (Colorado Springs, Colorado). Beziers won its French league opener 25-21, 25-21, 22-25, 25-13 versus Le Cannet on Oct. 5. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 49 kill percent as a team and added an ace. Beziers captured a 25-21, 25-15, 25-19 victory over Saint Raphael on Oct. 8. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 53 kill percent and added three kills on five errorless attacks and a block for four points. Beziers captured its third straight win to open the season with a 25-15, 25-19, 25-10 victory over France Avenir 2024. Smith, in her first action of the season, pocketed nine kills on 15 attacks and a block for 10 points. Beziers remained undefeated with a 20-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-20 rally against Pays D’Aix Venelles on Oct. 18. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 48 kill percent and added a block and ace for two points. Beziers claimed a 25-18, 25-20, 25-14 victory over Chamalieres on Oct. 26. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 46 kill percent and turned in two aces, a kill and block for four points. Smith was a sub in the third set, registering a block and kill on her only attack for two points. Beziers (5-0, 15 points), one of two undefeated teams in the French league, returns to action on Nov. 1 against ninth-place Marcq-en-Baroeul (2-3, 6 points). Beziers begins its CEV Challenge Cup 16th Finals Round the week of Nov. 11 against RSR Walferdange.
ROBINSON WITH FENERBAHCE IN TURKISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson (Manhattan Beach, California, Instagram, Twitter), YouTube) is playing for Fenerbahce in the Turkish League and European Champions League this winter. After missing the first three matches of the season – all Fenerbahce wins, Robinson made her debut in Fenerbahce’s 11-25, 25-18, 25-18, 25-18 loss to Galatasaray on Oct. 25. Robinson scored five kills on 15 attacks and an ace for six points in the loss. She handled 10 reception with an 80 positive reception percent. Fenerbahce (3-1) returns to the court on Oct. 29 against Turkish rival VakifBank (4-0), who Robinson played for last season, followed by a Nov. 2 contest against Eczacibasi (4-0). Fenerbahce is part the European Champions League main phase and in Pool A along with Turkish rival Eczacibasi, Poland’s Budowlani Lodz and LP Salo. Champions League fourth round action begins the week of Nov. 19.
KINGDON-RISHEL WITH THY IN TURKISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel (Phoenix, Arizona, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Turk Hava Yollari (THY) in the Turkish League this winter. THY narrowly lost to Fenerbahce 25-18, 25-15, 22-25, 18-25, 15-9in the league opener on Oct. 12. Kingdon Rishel started the opening set and was a sub in the final four sets, compiling five kills on 11 errorless attacks and a block for six points. THY lost its second consecutive match in five sets after falling to Atlasglobal Yesilyurt 25-21, 25-23, 19-25, 25-14, 15-6 on Oct. 15. Kindgon Rishel, who started the first two sets and the tiebreaker, notched five kills on 14 swings in the loss and was 48 positive on 23 receptions. THY lost to undefeated VakifBank 29-27, 25-23, 25-23 in three close sets on Oct. 20. Kingdon Rishel contributed 10 kills on 23 attacks and an ace for 11 points. She was 74 percent positive on 19 receptions. THY swept Beylikduzu Voleybol Ihtisas 25-11, 25-17, 25-14 on Oct. 26. Kingdon Rishel turned in seven kills on 16 attacks and a block for eight points. THY (1-3, 5 points), in seventh place,returns to action on Oct. 29 against 11th-place Nilufer (0-4, 0 points) followed by a Nov. 2 contest versus 10th-place Karayollari (0-4, 1 point).
BENSON WITH NUC IN SWISS LEAGUE: Libero Amanda Benson (Litchfield Park, Arizona, Instagram) is playing for Viteos NUC in the Swiss League and CEV Cup this winter along with American teammates Tia Scambray (Dana Point, California) and Kyra Holt (Hercules, California). In the Swiss opener, NUC defeated VC Kanti Shaffhausen 22-25, 25-20, 25-20, 25-23 on Oct. 13. Benson was 50 percent positive on 14 reception chances. Scambray had a match-high 26 points with 22 kills on 53 swings, three blocks and an ace. Holt added 16 kills on 38 swings, two aces and a block for 19 points. NUC swept Geneve Volley 25-13, 25-13, 25-20 on Oct. 18. Benson again was 50 percent positive on 12 receptions. Holt turned in 14 points with 13 kills on 25 attacks and a block. NUC defeated VBC Cheseaux 25-16, 19-25, 25-7, 25-18 on Oct. 20. Benson handled 13 receptions with a 38 positive percent. Holt pocketed 19 points again with 15 kills on 30 attacks and four aces. NUC lost to undefeated TS Volley Dudingen 26-24, 25-19, 25-13 on Oct. 26. Benson handled 16 receptions at a 75 percent positive clip. Holt scored eight points with six kills, one block and one ace. NUC (3-1, 9 points), which is in third place), returns to the Swiss League courts on Nov. 3 against fifth-place Zesar-VFM (2-2, 6 points). NUC faces Minchanka Minsk in the CEV Cup 16th Finals Round that begins the week of Dec. 3.
CARLINI WITH DINAMO MOSCOW IN RUSSIA LEAGUE: Setter Lauren Carlini (Aurora, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Dinamo Moscow in the Russia Super League and the European Champions League. Dinamo Moscow has been drawn into Pool E of the European Champions League main phase along with Russian rival Uralochka-NTMK Ekaterinburg, France’s RC Cannes and Martiza Plovdiv. Champions League fourth round action begins the week of Nov. 19.
LARSON WITH SHANGHAI IN CHINESE LEAGUE: Outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Nebraska, Instagram, Twitter) is playing for Shanghai in the Chinese Super League this winter.
BARTSCH-HACKLEY, DIXON WITH BEIJING AUTO IN CHINESE LEAGUE: Outside hitter Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (Champaign, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter) and middle Tori Dixon (Burnsville, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) are playing for Beijing Auto in the Chinese Super League this winter.
WILHITE PARSONS WITH SESI BAURU IN BRAZILIAN SUPERLIGA: Outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons (Eden Prairie, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) is competing for Sesi Bauru in the Brazilian Superliga this winter. The team begins regular season action on Nov. 12 against Esporte Clube Pinheiros.