Leagues are back up and running... but so is covid
January 3-9 Recap
Chinese LeagueJordan Larson finished her season in China by claiming 3rd place with Shanghai. Jordan did not play in either match (best of 3 series) for Shanghai (foreigner limits)
Italian LeagueThe Coppa Italia finished this week.
In the semi-finals Imoco defeated Busto Arsizio
3-1 to advance to the final. Kathryn Plummer had 12 kills for Imoco, hitting .258. She also contributed an ace while passing 45% positive on 20 receptions. Megan Courtney made a brief substitute appearance in the backcourt and recorded 3 receptions. Jordyn Poulter had 1 kill for Busto Arsizio. She set Busto to a .157 hitting percentage.
HighlightsIn the other semi-final, Chieri had to withdraw due to positive covid cases which advanced Novara to the final.
In the final Imoco defeated Novara
3-2 in an instant classic. This was Imoco's third straight Coppa Italia win. Kathryn Plummer had 16 kills (.469) while also adding a block. She had 25 receptions as well, passing 56% positive. Megan Courtney came off of the bench to add 7 kills (.467) while receiving 12 serves and passing 58% positive. Micha Hancock had 2 aces and 2 kills for Novara in the defeat. She helped Novara hit .347 for the match. Haleigh Washington made her return from injury, adding 1 kill (.333) in her brief appearance.
Full Match Replay HighlightsIn league play, every match but Busto Arsizio-Monza was postponed due to covid.
Monza swept Busto Arsizio
3-0 in their best match of the season. Jordyn Poulter had 1 kill and a block as Busto hit .155 for the match and could not overcome Magdalena Stysiak's 22 points.
HighlightsTurkish LeagueThe Turkish League resumed from their winter break with league play.
Vakifbank easily swept by Yesilyurt
3-0. Neither Chiaka Ogbogu or Michelle Barstch-Hackley made an appearance for Vakifbank.
Full Match Replay THY held off Aydin to win
3-0. Madison Kingdon had 17 kills (.294) along with a block and an ace for THY. Lauren Carlini had 1 kill as THY hit .197 for the match. Anna Stevenson made her professional debut for Aydin. She came off of the bench to add 1 kill and 2 blocks.
Full Match ReplayJapanese LeagueThe Japanese League resumed with one set of matches this weekend. JT Marvelous continued to lead the league with a pair of wins over Hitachi Rivale this weekend.
In match 1, JT easily won
3-0. Annie Drews had 8 kills (.286) and a block for JT Marvelous. Hannah Tapp did not play for Hitachi.
Full Match Replay HighlightsThe second match was much closer, as JT Marvelous squeaked out a
3-2 win. Annie Drews bounced back with a 20 kill (.429) performance. Tapp did not play in the rematch either.
HighlightsGerman LeagueIt was a double game week in Germany this week.
Wiesbaden scored the upset of the week by beating Dresden
3-2. Justine Wong-Orantes had 21 receptions, passing 48% positive for Wiesbaden. For Dresden, Madeleine Gates had 9 kills (.190) and 4 blocks. Jenna Gray added 1 kill as Dresden hit .243 for the match.
Full Match ReplayStuttgart started their week by beating Erfurt
3-1. Simone Lee had an MVP performance by contributing 25 kills (.351) and a block. Krystal Rivers added 13 kills (.108) for the league leaders.
In a highly anticipated match, Schwerin easily overcame Potsdam
3-0. Lindsay Ruddins had 14 kills (.375) and a block for Schwerin. Stephanie Samedy made her professional debut, coming in for a double sub and getting her first professional kill. Madison Lilley did not record any stats for Potsdam, as they hit (.011) with very poor passing.
Stuttgart continued their unbeaten league run by defeating Vilsbiburg
3-1. Simone Lee had 12 kills (.250) along with 3 aces and a block. Krystal Rivers added 13 kills (.258), 2 blocks, and 1 ace. T'Ara Caesar made her professional debut for Stuttgart, contributing 1 kill (.333). Tiffany Clark had 27 receptions for Vilsbiburg, recording 44% positive passing.
Schwerin kept their hot streak going as they beat second placed Suhl
3-0. Lindsay Ruddins contributed 13 kills (.267) while passing 40% positive on 15 receptions for Schwerin. Stephanie Samedy made another brief appearance, adding 2 kills (.500).
Wiesbaden ended the week defeating Erfurt
3-2. Justine Wong-Orantes continues to be the best libero in Germany, passing 57% positive on her 7 receptions.
Polish LeagueThe American clash did not go as planned as Rzeszow overcame LKS Lodz
3-0. Kara Bajema left the match during set 1 for the league leaders Rzeszow, after hitting -.400. Veronica Jones-Perry did face the same fate, but only added 3 kills (-.170) and a block for LKS Lodz.
Brazilian LeagueAll matches involving American athletes were postponed, only Maringa-Brasilia taking place this week.