COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Jan. 26, 2020) – Annie Drews sparked JT Marvelous to the Japan V-League championship title and was named most valuable player. Further, several other members of the U.S. Women’s National Team helped their club teams to key wins in their pro seasons.
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. JT Marvelous swept Saitama Ageo Medics 25-16, 25-18, 25-22 on Jan. 25 in the Japan V-League semifinals. Drews contributed 21 kills on 39 swings with just two errors in the match. She added two aces for 23 total points. In the championship match, JT Marvelous rallied to defeat Okayama Seagulls 25-22, 24-26, 23-25, 25-14, 15-7 on Jan. 26. Drews connected for 33 kills on 67 attacks, including eight kills from the back row. She added two blocks and an ace for 36 total points. Drews was named Best Server and headline the Best 6 as the most valuable player.
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 European Champions Cup, Fenerbahce swept Poland’s Budowlani Lodz 25-20, 25-21, 25-22 on Jan. 22. Robinson scored a team-high 15 points with 13 kills on 24 swings and two blocks. She was credited with a 63 positive reception percent on 19 chances. Thompson, playing in her first Champions League match, provided 12 kills on 24 attacks and was 100 percent positive on two receptions. Fenerbahce (3-1, 10 points), in second place in Pool A, resumes Champions League action on Feb. 6 against Turkish rival and pool-leader Eczacibasi (4-0, 11 points). In the Turkish league, Fenerbahce swept Besiktas 25-12, 25-17, 25-8 on Jan. 25 without either Robinson or Thompson playing. Fenerbahce (11-2, 32 points), now in third place, challenges Atlasglobal Yesilyert in its next Turkish League match.
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 CEV Challenge Cup, THY blanked C.S.M. Lugoj 25-20, 25-19, 25-18 in the 8th Finals Round home-and-home opener on Jan. 22. Kingdon Rishel notched four kills and a block for five points in the victory. She was credited with a 50 positive reception percent on 12 chances. THY can advance to the 4th Finals Round on Feb. 4 with a victory. In the Turkish League, THY lost to fifth-place Atlasglobal Yesilyurt 25-22, 25-17, 22-25, 25-23 on Jan. 26. Kingdon Rishel tallied 14 kills on 30 swings and two blocks. She was credited with a 60 positive reception percent on 30 chances. THY (5-8, 18 points), now in seventh places, resumes action on Jan. 31 against second-place VakifBank (11-1, 33 points).
BARTSCH-HACKLEY TRANSFERS TO 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. VakifBank (11-1, 33 points), in second place in the Turkish League, takes on PTT on Jan. 27 in its next league match. In the European Champions League, second-place VakifBank (3-1, 9 points) plays group leader Savino Del Bene Scandicci (4-0, 10 points) on Feb. 5 in the fifth league of Pool B.
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 European Champions League, Conegliano remained undefeated by sweeping C.S.M. Volei Alba Blaj 25-16, 25-16, 25-17 on Jan. 22. Hill scored six kills on 17 attacks and two aces for eight points. She was credited with a 58 positive reception percent on a team-high 19 chances. Ogbogu added four kills on eight attacks, one block and one ace for six points. Conegliano (4-0, 11 points), which leads Pool D, Vasas Obuda Budapest (0-4, 1 point) on Feb. 6 in the fifth leg. In the Italian Serie A1, Conegliano blanked Pomi Casalmaggiore 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 on Jan. 25. Hill scored eight kills on 19 errorless attacks, two blocks and an ace for 11 points. She was credited with a 71 positive reception percent on 14 chances. Conegliano (15-1, 45 points), which sits atop the standings with a six-point lead, returns to Italian Serie A1 action on Feb. 9 against Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta. During the break in the Italian Serie A1 action, Conegliano matches up with Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri in the Italian Cup quarterfinals on Jan. 29 followed by the semifinals and finals on Feb. 1-2 in Busto Arsizio.
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 CEV Cup, Busto Arsizio topped Poland’s Developres SkyRes Rzeszow 25-22, 25-17, 25-22 on Jan. 23 to open their 8th Finals Round home-and-home series. Lowe tallied 12 kills on 36 attacks, four blocks and two aces for a match-high 18 points. Washington added one kill, one block and one ace for three points. Busto Arsizio can win the series and advance to the 4th Finals Round with a second win over Developres SkyRes Rzeszow on Feb. 5. In the Italian Serie A1, Busto Arsizio swept Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia 25-19, 25-19, 25-20 on Jan. 26. Washington pounded down nine kills on 12 errorless attacks and five blocks for 14 points. Lowe totaled 12 kills on 32 swings and an ace for 13 points. Busto Arzisio (13-3, 39 points), now in second place, faces third-place Igor Gorgonzola Novara (12-4, 35 points) on Feb. 9 in its next Italian League match. Busto Arsizio meets Il Bisonte Firenze on Jan. 29 in the Italian Cup quarterfinals.
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 European Champions League, Novara blanked Germany’s Allianz MTV Stuttgart 25-11, 25-22, 25-19 on Jan. 23. Hancock set Novara to a 51 kill percent and scored three kills on four attacks and an ace for four points. Courtney contributed five kills and two aces for seven points while being credited with a 54 positive reception percent on 13 chances. Novara (3-1, 8 points), now in a tie for first place in Pool C, returns to action on Feb. 5 against Khimik Yuzhny (0-4, 1 point). In the Italian Serie A1, Novara blanked Lardini Filottrano 25-21, 25-17, 25-13 on Jan. 26. Courtney tallied three kills and two aces for five points in the victory. Hancock set Novara to a 33 percent and scored one kill and one block for two points. Novara (12-4, 35 points), now in third place, plays second-place Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio (13-3, 39 points) on Feb. 9 in its next league match. Novara will face Saugella Monza in the Italian Cup quarterfinals on Jan. 29.
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 topped Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta 25-16, 25-17, 25-10 on Jan. 26. Poulter set Chieri to a 49 kill percent in the victory. Rolfzen added seven kills on 10 swings and two blocks for nine points. Chieri (6-10, 20 points), in eighth-place, takes on seventh-place Il Bisonte Firenze (8-8, 24 points) on Feb. 8 in its next league match. Later this month Chieri challenges Imoco Volley Conegliano on Jan. 29 in the Italian Cup quarterfinals.
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 CEV Cup, Monza lost to Russia’s Dinamo Kazan 25-23, 25-13, 25-19 to open their 8th Finals Round home-and-home series in Russia. Plummer was not available for the match. Monza will now need to win the return match on Feb. 5 and possibly the golden set to advance to the 4th Finals Round (quarterfinals). In the Italian Serie A1, Monza lost to a tough 28-26, 25-22, 19-25, 21-25, 15-11 match to Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo on Jan. 26. Plummer, who was a sub in the first two sets before starting the final three, contributed 15 kills on 33 swings, one block and one ace for 17 points in helping Monza get in a position to rally from the two-set deficit. Monza (8-8, 26 points), now is sixth place, returns to Italian League action on Feb. 9 against fourth-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci (11-5, 32 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 battled past Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia 19-25, 25-19, 25-23, 25-17 on Jan. 26. Foecke slammed 13 kills on 32 swings with just one error to go with two blocks for 15 points. She was credited with a 79 positive reception percent on 19 chances. Firenze (8-8, 24 points), which is in seventh place, plays eighth-place Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri (6-10, 21 points) on Feb. 8 in its next league match. Firenze challenges Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio on Jan. 29 in the Italian Cup quarterfinals.
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 lost to league-leader Imoco Volley Conegliano 25-18, 25-23, 25-20 on Jan. 25. Cuttino scored 10 kills on 21 attacks in the loss. Casalmaggiore (9-7, 28 points), which is in fifth place, returns to action on Feb. 9 against Zanetti Bergamo. Casalmaggiore travels to Savino Del Bene Scandicci on Jan. 29 for an Italian Cup quarterfinal match with the semifinals and finals on Feb. 1-2 in Busto Arsizio.
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 European Champions League, Stuttgart lost to Igor Gorgonzola Novara 25-11, 25-22, 25-19 on Jan. 23. Lee, playing in her first match for Stuttgart, tallied 10 kills on 21 attacks and a block while starting the final set after being a sub the first two. Rivers did not play in the match and Rosenthal was a sub in the first two sets without registering a point. Havili set Stuttgart to a 37 kill percent and scored a kill and block. Hamson turned in three kills and two blocks in the first two sets. Stuttgart (2-2, 7 points), which dropped from first to third with the loss, returns to action on Feb. 5 against Poland’s LKS Commercecon Lodz (3-1, 8 points). In the German Bundesliga, second-place Stuttgart (9-3, 29 points) returns to action on Jan. 29 against ninth-place Wiesbaden (3-8, 7 points) followed by third-place Potsdam (9-3, 28 points) on Feb. 1.
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 CEV Cup 8th Finals Round, Schwerin defeated Hameenlinna 25-19, 23-25, 25-20, 25-16 on Jan. 22 to open the home-and-home series in Finland. Wong-Orantes was a sub in the second and third sets registering eight receptions for a 50 positive percent. Schwerin can win the series on Feb. 6 with a victory at home. In the German Bundesliga, Schwerin posted a 25-19, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Erfurt on Jan. 25. Wong-Orantes had nine receptions with a 67 positive reception percent helping Schwerin to a 50 kill percent as a team. Schwerin (11-1, 32 points), which leads the league, returns to action on Jan. 29 against fourth-place Vilsbiburg (7-5, 22 points).
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 the CEV Challenge Cup, Dresdner defeated Stiinta Bacau 25-18, 25-11, 25-19 to open the 8th Finals Round home-and-home series on Jan. 22 at home. Rolfzen connected for eight kills on 14 swings and a block for nine points. She handled 17 receptions with a 71 positive reception percent. Dresdner can advance to the 4th Finals Round with a win the series finale on Feb. 5. In the German Bundesliga, Dresdner edged Aachen 22-25, 28-26, 25-23, 23-25, 15-8 on Jan. 25. Rolfzen amassed 16 kills on 31 swings, two blocks and an ace for 19 points. She also handled 23 receptions with a 52 positive percent. Dresdner (7-6, 20 points), in sixth place, returns to German Bundesliga action on Jan. 29 against 11th-place Suhl (1-11, 4 points) followed by a Feb. 1 match against 10th-place Erfurt (1-11, 4 points).
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 CEV Challenge Cup, Beziers opened its 8th Finals Round home-and-home series with a 28-26, 25-14, 25-17 home victory over Polkky Kuusamo on Jan. 22. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 45 kill percent while having a block and individual kill. Beziers can advance to the 4th Finals Round with a win in the return match on Feb. 5. In the French League, Beziers swept Marcq-en-Baroeul 25-23, 25-16, 26-24 on Jan. 25. Seliger-Swenson set Beziers to a 51 kill percent and added three kills on five swings and an ace for four points. Beziers (12-5, 37 points), which is in fourth place, resumes French League action on Jan. 28 against 13th-place Mougins (1-15, 4 points) followed by 12th-place Paris Saint Cloud (4-13, 10 points) on Feb. 1.
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 defeated Curitiba Volei 25-18, 25-21, 25-18 on Jan. 23. Wilhite Parsons notched seven kills on 17 attacks, two aces and a block for 10 points. She was also credited with a 57 positive reception percent on 21 chances. Sesi Bauru (7-6, 29 points), currently in fifth place, returns to action on Jan. 28 against sixth-place Fluminese F.C. (7-6, 19 points).
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 European Champions League, Dinamo Moscow lost to Maritza Plovdiv 25-23, 18-25, 25-23, 25-17 on Jan. 23. Carlini set Dinamo to a 38 kill percent and charted one individual kill. Dinamo Moscow (2-2, 6 points), now in second place in Pool E, will play Russian rival Uralochka-NTMK Ekaterinburg (2-2, 5 points) on Feb. 6 in its next Champions League match. In the Russia Super League, sixth-place Dinamo Moscow (6-5, 20 points) resumes action on Jan. 27 against eighth-place Zarechye-Odintsovo (5-6, 13 points) followed by Yenisei on Feb. 1.
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 edged third-place Grot Budowlani Lodz 25-23, 25-23, 29-31, 21-25, 15-11 on Jan. 25. Jones-Perry scored 27 kills on 60 attacks, one block and three aces for 31 points. Radomka (4-11, 11 points), now in 10th place, returns to action on Jan. 29 against Enea PTPS Saw followed by a Feb. 1 match against DPD Legionovia.
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 NUC Volley Toggenburg 25-15, 25-20, 25-19 on Jan. 26. Benson did not register a reception in the victory. Scambray totaled 20 kills on 35 swings, two blocks and two aces for 24 points. Neuchatel UC (13-3, 40 points), now in second place, challenges eighth-place Groupe E Valtra 4-12, 13 points) on Jan. 29 in its next league match.