COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Feb. 16, 2020) – The U.S. Women’s National Team pro leagues results last week were highlighted by Kadie Rolfzen leading Dresdner to the German Cup title to offset Krystal Rivers’ 37 points to Stuttgart in a losing effort, while Haleigh Washington hit .739 in two Italian league matches and Sarah Wilhite Parsons converted 51.9 percent of her 52 attacks into points in two Brazilian Super League victories.
AKINRADEWO MODELS ON PROJECT RUNWAY: Foluke Akinradewo, a two-time Olympic medalist with the U.S. Women’s National Team, will be one of six Olympians/Paralympians models in a special Team USA episode airing of the popular show Project Runway on Feb. 20 on Bravo. Designers are tasked with creating customized outfits for each athlete to wear as a victory dress to celebrate their accomplishments at the Games. Check your local TV listings for air time and set your watch party. For a teaser of the show, click here.
KARSTA LOWE FEATURED ON NBC 7 SAN DIEGO: Karsta Lowe was recently featured on San Diego’s NBC affiliate newscast highlighting her path to the podium from a “B” team player in school to making the 2016 Olympic Games. The segment also discusses Lowe coming back to the U.S. Women’s National Team after taking a hiatus following the 2016 Olympics. To watch the news segment, click here.
RACHAEL ADAMS STARTS BLOG ON HER JOURNEYSTRENGTH WEBSITE: Rachael Adams has created a new blog feature on her personal website, journeystrength.com. She blogged frequently during her first pro season abroad to keep connected to family and friends back home. However, the blog made its way outside her close, inner circle and she “felt exposed” and “so vulnerable.” Learn why she felt it was valuable to return to “share again…be vulnerable” in her blog.
OLYMPIC GAMES VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE: The FIVB has set the competition schedule for indoor volleyball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and fans in the USA will have plenty of prime time viewing to watch Team USA. The U.S. Women open the Olympics on July 26 against Argentina, followed by China on July 28, Turkey on July 30, Russia on Aug. 1 and Italy on Aug. 3. Except for its match versus Turkey, Team USA’s matches will be 10:05 p.m. ET starts the previous day (considering the international timeline). The USA-Turkey match will be played at 8:45 a.m. ET. The women’s quarterfinals will take place Aug. 5 with same the formula used in the men’s competition. The semifinals are set for Aug. 7 with the medal-round matches on Aug. 9. All indoor volleyball matches will be held at the newly constructed Ariake Arena. For the complete schedule, click here.
U.S. WOMEN HOSTING JAPAN IN MARCH PLUS SCRIMMAGE: Several college athletes will have the unique experience to train with the U.S. Women’s National Team in a joint Spring Training Camp session with the Japan national team March 14-21 in Anaheim, California. As part of the training week, the two countries will engage in an exhibition match on March 20 at Santiago Canyon College in Orange, California. Admission is $10 for general admission, while youth 10-and-under, seniors 60-and-over and military with identification can purchase tickets for $7. Youth 3-and-under will be admitted free. Tickets will go on sale at the door one hour prior to the 7 p.m. PT first serve.
U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM OPEN TRYOUT: The U.S. Women’s National Team Open Tryout is set for Feb. 21-23 at the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with 214 athletes vying for spots into the elite high performance pipeline. The tryout will evaluate athletes from 95 colleges from across the country for spots on the U.S. Women’s National Team and the U.S. Collegiate National Team (CNT) program. Plus, four athletes will also be trying out for the 2020 U.S. Women’s Junior National Team. The breakdown for the tryout includes 67 outside hitters, 48 liberos, 37 middles, 37 setters and 25 opposites.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MAIN PHASE HEADS TO FIFTH LEG: The European Champions League has 11 members of the U.S. Women’s National Team competing on six pro teams in this year prestigious event. The Champions League moves into the final leg on Feb. 18 with key matches on tap. Imoco Volley Conegliano (5-0, 15 points), with Kim Hill and Chiaka Ogbogu, has already clinched Pool D regardless of its outcome with second-place Nantes (3-2, 9 points). VakifBank (4-1, 12 points), with Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, is in first place in Pool B and faces third-place Lokomotiv Kalingrad (2-3, 8 points). Igor Gorgonzola Novara (4-1, 11 points), with Micha Hancock and Megan Courtney, leads Pool C and challenges third-place LKS Commercecon Lodz (3-2, 8 points). Allianz MTV Stuttgart, with Krystal Rivers, Simone Lee and Jenna Rosenthal, is in second place in Pool C and challenges fourth-place Khimik Yuzhny (0-5, 1 point). Fenerbahce (3-2, 11 points), with Kelsey Robinson and Jordan Thompson, takes its second-place ranking in Pool A against LP Salo (0-5, 0 points). Dinamo Moscow (3-2, 9 points), with Lauren Carlini, is in second place in Pool E and concludes group play against RC Cannes (3-2, 9 points) and the winner will win the pool. All matches are scheduled to stream on FloVolleyball.tv.
- Feb. 18: Igor Gorgonzola Novara (Megan Courtney, Micha Hancock) vs. LKS Commercecon Lodz
- Feb. 18: VakifBank (Michelle Bartsch-Hackley) vs. Lokomotiv Kalingrand
- Feb. 18: Allianz MTV Stuttgart (Kyrstal Rivers, Jenna Rosenthal, Simone Lee) vs. Khimik Yuzhny
- Feb. 18: Fenerbahce (Kelsey Robinson, Jordan Thompson) vs. LP Salo
- Feb. 18: Imoco Volley Conegliano (Kim Hill, Chiaka Ogbogu) vs. Nantes VB
- Feb. 18: Dinamo Moscow (Lauren Carlini) vs. RC Cannes
OGBOGU, 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. In the Italian Serie A1 regular season, Conegliano eased past Zanetti Bergamo 25-21, 25-21, 25-23 on Feb. 12. Hill scored nine kills on 18 swings and produced a 64 positive reception percent on 11 chances. Ogbogu did not play in the match. On the opposite side of the net, American Annie Mitchem scored 15 points for Bergamo. Conegliano swept third-place Igor Gorgonzola Novara 25-19, 25-17, 25-18 on Feb. 16. Hill tallied 11 kills on 19 swings, one block and one ace for 13 points. She was credited with a 70 positive reception percent on 20 chances. Ogbogu did not play in the match. Conegliano (18-1, 54 points), which is in first place with a six-point lead, returns to action on Feb. 23 against 10th-place Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo (8-11, 23 points). In European Champions League, Conegliano (5-0, 14 points) has clinched the top seed from Pool D before concluding the group stage against second-place Nantes (3-2, 9 points) on Feb. 18 in the final leg.
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. In the Italian Serie A1 regular season, Busto Arsizio downed 13th-plae Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia 25-18, 25-18, 22-25, 25-17 on Feb. 12. Washington was stellar in the match with 12 kills on 15 swings, five blocks and an ace for 18 points. Lowe, who started all but the third set, tallied seven kills and an ace for eight points. Busto Arsizio blanked last-place Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta 25-17, 25-9, 25-13 on Feb. 16. Washington provided seven kills on eight swings and two aces in the victory. For the week, Washington held a .739 hitting efficiency (19-2-23). Lowe, who started just the first set, score two kills in the win. Busto Arsizio (16-3, 48 points), which remains in second place, faces eighth-place Zanetti Bergamo (8-11, 24 points) on Feb. 23 in its next Italian league match. In the CEV Cup, Busto Arsizio faces Dinamo Kazan in the home-and-home 4th Finals Round with matches on Feb. 20 and March 4.
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. In the Italian Serie A1 regular season, Novara handled fourth-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci 25-20, 25-16, 26-28, 25-13 on Feb. 12. Courtney notched 11 points in the victory, on all kills via 22 attacks. She was credited with a 55 positive reception percent on 20 chances. Hancock set Novara to a 52 kill percent and chipped in two aces, two blocks and one kill for five points. Novara lost to league-leader Imoco Volley Conegliano 25-19, 25-17, 25-18 on Feb. 16. Courtney scored four kills and a block in the loss while handling 16 receptions with a 69 positive percent. Hancock set Novara to a 33 kill percent and scored one ace and one kill. Novara (13-6, 38 points), now in third place, plays last-place Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta (2-17, 8 points) on Feb. 23 in its next Italian league match. In European Champions League, Novara (4-1, 11 points), now in first place in Pool C, closes out group play on Feb. 18 against Poland’s LKS Commercecon Lodz (3-2, 8 points).
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 opened its week with a 22-25, 25-21, 25-23, 25-19 victory over Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo on Feb. 12. Poulter set Chieri to a 42 kill percent in the victory. Roflzen scored five blocks as part of a six-point performance. Chieri lost to fourth-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci 25-19, 25-22, 23-25, 25-20 on Feb. 16. Poulter set Chieri to a 43 kill percent and added two individual kills. Rolfzen provided five kills and two aces for seven points. Chieri (8-11, 27 points), now in seventh place, takes on 12th-place Lardini Filottrano (6-13, 17 points) on Feb. 23 in its next league match.
PLUMMER WITH MONZA IN ITALIAN LEAGUE: Kathryn Plummer (Aliso Viejo, California, Instagram, Twitter) has signed her first professional contract to play for Saugella Monza in the Italian Serie A1. In the Italian Serie A1, Monza swept Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta. Plummer totaled 11 kills on 19 errorless attacks, three aces and two blocks for a match-high 16 points. She was credited with a 62 positive reception percent on 13 chances from her outside hitter position. Monza blanked Lardini Filottano 25-17, 25-20, 26-24 on Feb. 16. Plummer scored a team-high 13 points with 11 kills on 26 attacks, one block and one ace. She also handled 15 receptions in the victory. Monza (11-8, 34 points), which is in fifth place, returns to action on Feb. 22 against sixth-place Pomi Casalmaggiore (11-8, 33 points).
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 lost to Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia 25-16, 17-25, 26-24, 25-21 on Feb. 12. Foecke came off the bench to start the final three sets and turned in 16 kills on 38 swings while handling 19 receptions with an 84 positive percent. Firenze lost to Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo 25-16, 25-18, 25-20 on Feb. 16. Foecke registered 13 points with 12 kills on 31 swings and a block. She was credited with a 41 positive reception percent on 17 chances. Firenze (8-11, 24 points), now in ninth place, plays fourth-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci (12-7, 36 points) on Feb. 23 in its next league match.
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 rallied to defeat Lardini Filottrano 23-25, 25-14, 19-25, 25-12, 15-11 on Feb. 12. Cuttino scored eight kills on 20 attacks and a block for nine points in starting the first three sets. Casalmaggiore downed Banca Valsabbinia Millenium Brescia 25-22, 20-25, 25-16, 25-18 on Feb. 16. Cuttino registered 14 kills on 25 attacks and one block for 15 points in the win. Casalmaggiore (11-8, 33 points), now in sixth place, returns to action on Feb. 22 against fifth-place Saugella Monza (11-8, 34 points).
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. Bauru edged C.R. Flamengo 25-19, 16-25, 25-11, 18-25, 19-17 in a hard-fought five-set win. Wilhite Parsons scored 14 points with 13 kills on 28 swings and an ace. She was credited with a 54 positive reception percent on 28 chances. Bauru blanked then-fourth-place Osasco 25-21, 25-18, 26-24 on Feb. 15. Wilhite Parsons continued her solid run of matches with 14 kills on 24 attacks, two blocks and an ace for 17 points. She also handled 22 receptions with a 73 positive percent. Sesi Bauru (11-7, 36 points), currently in fourth place, returns to action on Feb. 28 against second-place Itambe Minas (16-2, 48 points).
BARTSCH-HACKLEY WITH VAKIFBANK IN TURKISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Michelle Bartsch-Hackley (Champaign, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter) has transferred to VakifBank in the Turkish League and the European Champions League after finishing the Chinese League season with a third-place finish. In the Turkish League, VakifBank defeated third-place Fenerbahce 24-26, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21 on Feb. 12. Bartsch-Hackley notched 10 kills on 36 swings and three blocks for 13 points. She was credited with a 54 positive reception percent on 24 chances. VakifBank swept Beylikduzu Voleybol Ihtisas 25-10, 25016, 25-18 on Feb. 15. Bartsch-Hackley did not play against the last-place team. VakifBank (16-1, 48 points), in first place in the Turkish League, takes on ninth-place Nilufer (5-11, 14 points) on Feb. 23. In the European Champions League, VakifBank (4-1, 12 points), now in the lead of Pool B, plays third-place Lokomotiv Kalingrad (2-3, 8 points) on Feb. 18 to wrap up the group phase.
ROBINSON, THOMPSON WITH FENERBAHCE IN TURKISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Kelsey Robinson (Manhattan Beach, California, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Website) and Jordan Thompson (Edina, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) are playing for Fenerbahce in the Turkish League and European Champions League this winter. In the Turkish league, faced the top two teams in the league last week and fell in two heartbreaking matches. Fenerbahce lost to VakifBank 24-26, 25-17, 25-18, 25-21 on Feb. 12. Thompson collected 19 kills on 52 swings and was 43 percent positive on seven chances while playing outside hitter. Robinson added seven kills and a block with eight reception chances. In its second Turkish League match of the week, Fenerbahce was edged by Eczasibasi 25-17, 23-25, 25-10, 19-25, 15-10 on Feb. 15. Thompson scored 14 points with nine kills, three blocks and two aces. Robinson accounted for 10 points through eight kills and two aces. She also provided 16 receptions without and error. Fenerbahce (13-4, 39 points), now in third place, plays last-place Beylikduzu Voleybol Ihtisas (0-17, 0 points) on Feb. 22 in its next league match. In the European Champions Cup, Fenebahce (3-2, 11 points), now in second place in Pool A, concludes the group round on Feb. 18 against LP Salo (0-5, 0 points).
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. In the Turkish League, THY defeated ninth-place Nilufer 25-21, 25-19, 21-25, 25-14 on Feb. 12. Kingdon Rishel scored a match-high 29 points with 27 kills via 49 swings and two aces. She added 19 receptions with a 53 positive percent. THY won its second match of the week with a 25-15, 25-16, 23-25, 25-17 victory over Karayollari on Feb. 15. Kingdon Rishel scored eight kills, two aces and a block for 11 points. She was 50 percent positive on 18 chances. THY (8-9, 27 points), now in fifth places, resumes action on Feb. 23 against 11th-place Besiktas (3-14, 8 points). In the CEV Challenge Cup, THY will now face Asko Linz-Steg in a home-and-home 4th Finals Round series on Feb. 20 and March 4.
RIVERS, LEE, ROSENTHAL WITH STUTTGART IN GERMAN BUNDESLIGA: Opposite Krystal Rivers (Birmingham, Alabama, Instagram, Twitter), opposite Simone Lee (Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, 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. Further, Americans Ainise Havili and Jennifer Hamson are playing for Stuttgart. In the German Cup, Stuttgart lost to Dresdner 25-19, 20-25, 21-25, 28-16, 17-15 in a back-and-forth title match in front of 10,689 fans. Rivers did her part with 35 kills on 68 attacks and two blocks for a match-high 37 points. Havili, who started the final four sets, helped Stuttgart to a 42 kill percent for the match. In the German Bundesliga, Stuttgart defeated Straubing 27-25, 25-17, 25-21 on Feb. 12. Rivers, who had missed the last few matches, returned to the lineup to score four kills, one block and one ace in starting the first two sets. Lee, a sub in the first and third sets, scored two kills. Rosenthal pocketed two kills on three swings as a sub in the second set. Hamson turned in seven kills on 16 attacks while starting the third set after being a sub the first two sets. Havili started the final set. Stuttgart (12-3, 37 points), now in second place, returns to action on Feb. 22 against fifth-place Aachen (8-8, 25 points). In European Champions League, Stuttgart (3-2, 10 points) is in second place in Pool C and returns to action on Feb. 18 against Khimik Yuzhny (0-5, 0 points).
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. American Lauren Barfield is also a member of the team. In the German Bundesliga, Schwerin (13-1, 38 points), which leads the league, returns to action on Feb. 22 against fourth-place Dresdner (9-6, 27 points). In the CEV Cup, Schwerin has advanced to the CEV Cup 4th Finals Round where it will face Asterix Avo Beveren in a home-and-home series with matches on Feb. 20 and March 3.
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. In a break from the German Bundesliga, Dresdner captured the German Cup by rallying to a 25-19, 20-25, 21-25, 28-26, 17-15 victory. In the fourth set, Dresdner rallied from a 21-16 deficit to win 28-26. In the tiebreaking set, Dresdner overcame a 10-8 deficit to win 17-15. Rolfzen pocketed 23 kills on 49 swings in the victory. She also handled 38 of 100 receptions with a 45 positive percent. In the German Bundesliga, Dresdner lost to Vilsibiburg 12-25, 26-24, 25-23, 21-25, 15-12 on Feb. 12. Rolfzen contributed 21 points with 14 kills on 27 attacks, four aces and three blocks. She added 28 receptions in the match. Dresdner (9-7, 27 points), in fourth place, returns to German Bundesliga action on Feb. 22 against league-leader Schwerin (13-1, 38 points). In the CEV Challenge Cup, Dresdner has advanced to face Ao Thiras Santorini in the CEV Challenge Cup 4th Finals Round home-and-home series on Feb. 19 and March 4.
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. In the Russia Super League, Dinamo Moscow lost to Dinamo Krasnodar 25-21, 15-25, 19-25, 25-20, 16-14 on Feb. 14. Carlini was a sub in the fourth set and had two serves. Moscow (9-6, 29 points), now in fifth place, resumes action on Feb. 22 against ninth-place Minchanka (5-9, 12 points). In the European Champions League, Dinamo Moscow (3-2, 9 points), in second place in Pool E, concludes the group phase against leader RC Cannes (3-2, 9 points) on Feb. 18.
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). In the French League, Beziers topped Terville Florange 20-25, 25-17, 25-22, 25-19 after a slow start. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 45 kill percent for the match and added one individual kill and an ace for two points. Beziers (16-5, 48 points), which is in fourth place, resumes French League action on Feb. 22 against 14th-place France Avenir 2024 (0-21, 2 points). In the CEV Challenge Cup, Beziers will face Germany’s Aachen in the CEV Challenge Cup 4th Finals Round home-and-home series with matches on Feb. 19 and March 4.
JONES-PERRY WITH E.LECLERC RADOMKA IN POLISH LEAGUE: Outside hitter Roni Jones-Perry (West Jordan, Utah, Instagram, Twitter) has transferred to Poland’s E.Leclerc Radomka in the Polish League after playing with Brescia earlier this year in the Italian Serie A1. Radomka (5-13, 14 points), now in 10th place, returns to action on Feb. 17 against ninth-place Bank Pocztowy Palace Bydgoszcz (5-11, 19 points) followed by 12th-place Wisla Warszawa (0-18, 2 points) on Feb. 22.
BENSON WITH NUC IN SWISS LEAGUE: Libero Amanda Benson (Litchfield Park, Arizona) is playing for Viteos Neuchatel UC in the Swiss League and CEV Cup this winter along with American teammates Tia Scambray (Dana Point, California) and Kyra Holt (Hercules, California). Neuchatel defeated Volley Lugano 25-22, 25-18, 25-11 on Feb. 15 in the Playoff 4th Group C. Benson was 60 percent positive on 10 receptions and helped Neuchatel to a 40 kill percent as a team. Scambray scored 13 kills on 32 swings and two blocks for 15 points. She was 73 percent positive on 15 chances. Holt added six kills, one block and one ace for eight points. She was 56 percent positive on 18 receptions. The teams meet against on Feb. 22i in the second of the best-of-five series.