COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 18, 2019) – Kim Hill and Chiaka Ogbogu added another title this season as their pro club Imoco Volley Conegliano won the Italian Super Cup. Now they will prepare for the prestigious European Champions League main phase that begins this week, just a couple weeks prior to compete in the FIVB Women’s Club World Championship the first week of December in China.
EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE MAIN PHASE BEGINS THIS WEEK: Eight members of the U.S. Women’s National Team, while representing their pro teams, begin competition in the European Champions League main phase this week. All matches are scheduled to stream on FloVolleyball.tv.
- Nov. 19: Fenerbahce (Kelsey Robinson) vs. Eczacibasi
- Nov. 19: Allianz MTV Stuttgart (Kyrstal Rivers, Jenna Rosenthal) vs. LKS Commercecon
- Nov. 21: Igor Gorgonzola Novara (Megan Courtney, Micha Hancock) vs. Khimik Yuzhny
- Nov. 21: Dinamo Moscow (Lauren Carlini) vs. Uralochka-NTMK Ekaterinburg
- Nov. 22: Imoco Volley Conegliano (Kim Hill, Chiaka Ogbogu) vs. CSM Volei Alba Blaj
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. Conegliano claimed the Italian Super Cup title by defeating Igor Gorgonzola Novara 25-20, 25-17, 25-21 on Nov. 16. Hill scored five kills and two aces in the victory. She was credited with a 63 positive reception percent on eight chances. Ogbogu did not play in the match. Conegliano swept Bosca Sao Bernardo Cuneo 25-23, 25-14, 25-20 on Nov. 12 in an Italian Serie A1 regular season match. Ogbogu scored 12 points with six kills on 12 errorless attacks, five blocks and an ace. Hill added 11 kills and 60 positive reception percent on 10 chances. Conegliano (8-0, 23 points), which sits atop the Italian Serie A league as the lone undefeated team, returns to action on Nov. 24 against sixth-place Savino Del Bene Scandicci (5-2, 12 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. Conegliano is also competing the eight-team FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Dec. 3-8 in Shaoxing, China. They are placed in Group A with Turkey’s Eczacibasi, China’s Guandong Evergrande and Brazil’s Itamba Minas.
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. Fenerbahce blanked Aydin B.Sehir Bld. 25-20, 25-16, 25-23 on Nov. 13. Robinson pocketed nine kills on 20 attacks with a 50 positive reception percent on 14 chances. Fenerbahce won its second match of the week with a 25-16, 25-22, 25-21 win over Nilufer on Nov. 16. Robinson tallied nine kills on 27 attacks, three aces and three blocks for 15 points. She handled eight receptions with a 50 positive percent. Fenerbahce (7-2, 21 points), now in fourth place, returns to the court on Nov. 24 against eighth-place PTT (3-6, 10 points). 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 nearly upset Galatasaray 25-17, 24-26, 25-17, 21-25, 15-12 on Nov. 12 to start its week. Kingdon Rishel accounted for 16 kills on 35 swings and handled 39 of the team’s 99 receptions with a 41 positive percent. THY fell to league-leader Eczacibasi 26-24, 25-19, 25-18 on Nov. 15. Kingdon Rishel scored 12 kills on 21 attacks and a block for 13 points while handling 42 of the team’s 66 receptions. On the opposite side of the net, 2016 U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Carli Lloyd set Eczacibasi to a 48 kill percent while having three individual kills on fur swings and an ace. THY (3-6, 12 points), now in seventh place, returns to action on Nov. 23 against fifth-place Aydin B.Sehir Bld (5-4, 14 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. JT Marvelous swept Kurobe Aqua Fairies 25-14, 25-17, 26-24 on Nov. 16. Drews provided JT eight kills on 18 swings and a block for nine points. JT Marvelous (8-2), in first place behind Star Conference, resumes action on Nov. 23 against Premier Division third-place NEC (5-3) followed by a Nov. 24 contest versus Premier Division leader Denso (8-0).
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. Kurobe lost to JT Marvelous 25-14, 25-17, 26-24 on Nov. 16. Lee was credited with 20 kills on 40 attacks, six from the backrow, plus one block for 21 points. Kurobe (1-9), in fifth place in the Star Conference, faces Premier Division leader Denso (8-0) on Nov. 23 and Premier Division third-place NEC (5-3) on Nov. 24.
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 lost to league-leader Denso 25-23, 25-20, 25-20 on Nov. 16. Tapp hammered eight kills on 19 swings with a block for nine points in the loss. Hitachi lost to Okayama 19-25, 25-21, 25-15, 23-25, 15-13 on Nov. 17. Tapp tallied 12 kills on 29 attacks, three blocks and two aces for 17 points. Hitachi (3-7), in fifth place in the Premier Conference, faces Star Division fourth-place Ageo Medics (4-5) on Nov. 23 followed by Star Division second-place Toyota (8-2) on Nov. 24.
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. Shanghai blanked Hebei 25-14, 25-18, 25-12 on Nov. 16 to remain undefeated in the four-team Group C. Larson notched nine points with six kills on 14 swings, two blocks and an ace. She was credited with a 50 positive reception percent on 10 chances. Shanghai (4-0) moves into the fifth round of Pool C on Nov. 19 versus Xitang followed by the first-round finale against Shandong on Nov. 23.
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. Beijing Auto was idle this past week in the three-team Group A. Beijing Auto (2-0) resumes action on Nov. 19 against Fujian followed by a Nov. 23 match versus Nanchang to close out the three-team double round-robin Pool A.
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 lost to Imoco Volley Conegliano 25-20, 25-17, 25-21 on Nov. 16 in the Italian Super Cup finals. Hancock scored three kills on four errorless attacks, two aces and a block for six points while setting her squad to a 31 kill percent. Courtney did not play in the contest. Earlier in the week Novara held off Golden Tulip Volalto 2.0 Caserta 25-21, 20-25, 25-22, 25-22 on Nov. 12 in the Italian Serie A1 regular season. Hancock set Novara to a 44 kill percent and added four kills, one block and one ace for six points. Courtney scored five kills and had a 65 positive reception percent on 20 chances. Novara (6-2, 17 points) plays ninth-place Saugella Monza (3-4, 9 points) on Nov. 24 in its next Italian Serie A1 match. Novara is grouped in Pool C of the European Champions League with Poland’s LKS Commercecon, 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. Novara is also competing the eight-team FIVB Women’s Club World Championship Dec. 3-8 in Shaoxing, China. They are grouped in Pool B with Brazil’s Dentil Praia Clube, China’s Tianjin Bohai Bank and Turkey’s VakifBank.
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 rallied to defeat Zanetti Bergamo 21-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-18 on Nov. 17. Lowe carded seven points, all on kills. Washington, who started the first two sets, chipped in a kill, ace and block for three points. Busto Arzisio (5-2, 16 points), now in third place, faces 11th-place Bosca Sao Bernanardo Cuneo (2-6, 6 points) on Nov. 23 in its next league match. Busto Arsizio is in the 16th Finals Round of the CEV Cup and will face VK Up Olomouc on Dec. 4 and Dec. 19.
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 lost to Lardini Filottrano 25-21, 25-22, 23-25, 25-23 on Nov. 17. Poulter set Chieri to a 39 kill percent in the loss. Roflzen scored four blocks and a kill for five points in the first three sets. Chieri (3-4, 10 points), in eighth place, takes on fifth-place Pomi Casalmaggiore (4-3, 13 points) on Nov. 20.
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 to second-place Igor Gorgonzola Novara 21-25, 25-20, 25-22, 25-21 on Nov. 12. Alhassan provided Caserta with nine kills on 18 swings in the loss. Caserta (1-6, 4 points), which is in 14th place, faces 13th-place Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia (1-6, 5 points) on Nov. 24 in its next league match.
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 Savino Del Bene Scandicci 25-18, 25-17, 25-20 on Nov. 17. Foecke was a sub in in the first and third sets providing three kills on eight attacks. Firenze (4-3, 12 points), which falls to fourth place, meets 10th-place Zanetti Bergamo (2-5, 7 points) on Nov. 24 for 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 lost a heart-breaking 28-26, 20-25, 25-22, 25-27, 15-10 match to Saugella Monza on Nov. 17. Cuttino scored four kills, one block and an ace for six points while starting only the first set. Casalmaggiore (4-3, 13 points), which is in fifth place, returns to action on Nov. 20 against eighth-place Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri (3-4, 10 points).
JONES-PERRY WITH BRESCIA 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 lost to Bartoccini Fortinfissi Perugia 25-22, 25-22, 25-23 on Nov. 16. Jones-Perry totaled two points in the loss with 13 receptions. Brescia (4-4, 11 points), now in seventh place, faces 12th-place Lardini Filottrano (2-5, 5 points) on Nov. 24.
THOMPSON CONTINUES LEADING CINCINNATI: Jordan Thompson (Edina, Minnesota, Instagram, Twitter) had a breakout season with the U.S. Women’s National Team during its gold-medal run in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League and qualification for the 2020 Olympic Games before heading back for her senior season at University of Cincinnati. Thompson led Cincinnati to back-to-back sweeps over East Carolina University on Nov. 15 and University of Tulsa on Nov. 17 last week. In the Bearcats win over ECU, Thompson scored 18 kills with a .412 hitting efficiency along with a block. She again had 18 kills in the victory over Tulsa. Cincinnati heads into the American Athletic Conference postseason tournament as the top seed.
RETTKE LEADING WISCONSIN: Middle Dana Rettke (Riverside, Illinois, Instagram, Twitter), who was part of the U.S. Women’s FIVB Volleyball Nations League gold-medal team along with the 2020 Olympic qualification tournament, has helped University of Wisconsin to a 19-5 record and 15-1 mark in the Big Ten as a junior this season. In the Badgers 25-22, 23-25, 30-28, 29-27 victory over University of Minnesota, Rettke collected 21 kills on 49 swings and five block assists. Rettke totaled 10 kills and four block assists in Wisconsin’s 25-23, 25-19, 25-22 victory over Michigan State University on Nov. 16. The Badgers return to Big Ten action on Nov. 22 against University of Iowa followed by a key showdown with University of Nebraska at home on Nov. 24.
LAKE DIGGING RECORDS FOR BYU: Mary Lake (Palm Springs, California, Instagram, Twitter), who played for the U.S. Women during their gold-medal FIVB Volleyball Nations League season and helped Team USA qualify for the 2020 Olympics, is playing her final collegiate season with BYU this fall. Lake was credited with 19 digs in a five-set loss to University of San Diego on Nov. 15. BYU, 22-5, this year, will face University of Portland on Nov. 21 and Gonzaga University on Nov. 23 next week.
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 lost to Lokomotiv 25-22, 26-24, 25-22 on Nov. 16. Carlini set Dinamo Moscow to a 32 kill percent while scoring two blocks and a kill. Dinamo Moscow (1-4, 5 points), resumes Russia Super League action against Leningradka on Nov. 24. 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. Dinamo will face Uralochka in the Russia Cup semifinals on Dec. 25.
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 lost its first Bundesliga match of the season after falling to Aachen 25-18, 25-16, 17-25, 18-25, 25-23 in a thrilling tiebreaker in a match of undefeated teams. Rivers, who did not start the first two sets, came on to score a match-high 27 points with 24 kills on 49 swings, two blocks and an ace. Rosenthal tallied a kill and block for two points in the opening set. Stuttgart (5-1, 16 points), which remains in first place based on standings points, returns to Bundesliga action on Nov. 30 against 11th-place Suhl (0-6, 1 point). Prior to that contest, Stuttgart challenges Erfurt in the German Cup on Nov. 23. 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. American Lauren Barfield is also a member of the team. Schwerin swept USC Munster 25-21, 25-17, 25-18 on Nov. 13. Wong-Orantes was credited with a 55 positive reception percent on 20 chances and helped her squad to a 51 kill percent for the match. Barfield scored four kills on eight errorless attacks and three blocks for seven points. Schwerin (4-1, 12 points), which ranks third in the Bundesliga regular season, returns to action on Nov. 20 against seventh-place Dresdner (3-3, 9 points). Schwerin plays Potsdam on Nov. 24 in the German Cup quarterfinals. 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. Dresdner edged Rote Raben Vilsbiburg 25-19, 21-25, 25-22, 22-25, 15-8 on Nov. 13. Rolfzen collected eight kills and an ace for nine points while handling 42 of the team’s 83 reception for a 48 positive percent. Dresdner (3-3, 9 points), in seventh place, returns to action Nov. 20 versus third-place Schwerin (4-1, 12 points). Dresdner faces Aachen on Nov. 23 in the German Cup quarterfinals. Dresdner is in the 16th Finals Round of the CEV Challenge Cup where it will face LLC Kamienskie in a home-and-home series on Dec. 12 and Dec. 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). Beziers lost to Cannes 25-21, 28-26, 22-25, 25-20 on Nov. 16. Seliger Swenson, who started the final three sets, helped Beziers to a 37 kill percent as a team while scoring three individual kills on three swing and an ace. Smith tallied a block and two receptions as a sub in the first three sets. Beziers (6-2, 19 points), which falls to third place in the French league, returns to action on Nov. 23 against second-place Nantes (7-1, 19 points). Beziers opens its CEV Challenge Cup 16th Finals Round with a home-and-home series Dec. 4 and Dec. 12 against RSR Walferdange.
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. Sesi Bauru lost its regular season opener 25-22, 26-24, 23-25, 17-25, 15-10 on Nov. 12 to Esporte Clube Pinheiros. Wilhite Parsons scored an ace on two serves as a sub in the final set. Bauru bounced back to defeat Curitiba Volei 25-16, 25-15, 25-19 on Nov. 15. Wilhite Parsons did not suit for the match. Bauru returns to action on Nov. 17 against Fluminense F.C. followed by a Nov. 23 contest versus Sao Paulo FC/Barueri.
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). NUC swept Volley Toggenburg 25-15, 25-13, 25-21 on Nov. 17. Benson did not play in the match. Scambray led NUC’s offense with 18 kills on 28 swings, two aces and a block for 21 points. Holt added 13 kills, one block and one ace for 15 points. NUC (6-1), now in third place, challenges eighth-place Group E. Valtra (2-5) on Nov. 23 in its next Swiss match. NUC faces Minchanka Minsk in the CEV Cup 16th Finals Round that begins the week of Dec. 3.