WNT Update: A Türkiye Tale

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 31, 2023) – We are keeping up with our U.S. Women’s National Team athletes who are competing for clubs around the world and in the United States!

TÜRKIYE

Opposite Jordan Thompson, middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu and outside hitter Ali Frantti opened the season in Türkiye by leading their club VakifBank to the Champions Cup on Oct. 11.

In the final, VakifBank beat Fenerbahce Opet, 3-2 (23-25, 25-22, 22-25, 25-23, 15-12). Thompson was named tournament MVP as she led all scorers in the final with 29 points on 23 kills (.500 hitting efficiency), five blocks and one ace. Frantti scored 11 points on 10 kills and one ace. Ogbogu did not play in the final.

VakifBank is undefeated after the first four matches of the regular season. On Oct. 28, VakifBank beat Muratpaşa Bld. Sigorta Shop (2-2) with opposite Stephanie Samedy, 3-1 (26-24, 25-22, 22-25, 25-20).

Thompson played as a substitute and scored eight points on seven kills and one block. Ogbogu played as a substitute and scored five points on three kills and two blocks. Frantti did not play. Samedy led her team with 19 points on 17 kills, one block and one ace.

Outside hitter Sarah Wilhite Parsons and Kuzeyboru improved to 3-1 with a 3-2 (26-28, 21-25, 25-16, 25-20, 17-15) win over setter Lauren Carlini and Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor (0-4) on Nov. 28.

Parsons led all scorers with 37 points on 35 kills and two blocks. Carlini scored five points on three kills and two blocks and set her team to a .294 hitting efficiency. Parsons is now second in the league in scoring and third in points per set.

Galatasaray Daikin (2-2) with opposite Danielle Cuttino, outside hitter Logan Eggleston and middle blocker Heather Gneiting beat PTT on Nov. 28, 3-0 (25-23 25-16 25-20).

Cuttino led all scorers with 19 points on 17 kills and two blocks. Gneiting finished with five points on four kills and an ace. Eggleston did not play. U.S. outside hitter Payton Caffrey scored four points on four kills for PTT.

Outside hitter Simone Lee led all scorers with 23 points on 21 kills, one block and one ace but her team Sarıyer Belediyespor (1-3) fell to Nilüfer Belediyespor, 3-1 (25-23. 25-21, 16-25, 25-18) on Nov. 28.

ITALY

Prosecco Doc Imoco Conegliano improved to 3-0 in the regular season with a 3-1 (25-19, 25-23, 18-25, 27-25) win over Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri ’76 (1-2) on Oct. 21. Outside hitter Kelsey (Robinson) Cook scored 17 points on 14 kills and three aces for Conegliano. Outside hitter Khalia Lanier scored 12 points on 12 kills. Outside hitter Kathryn Plummer did not play and setter Madi Bugg played as a substitute.

For Chieri, outside hitter Avery Skinner scored 15 points on 14 kills and one block. Outside hitter Madi Kingdon Rishel totaled 13 points on 12 kills and one ace.

Allianz Vero Volley Milano with middle blocker Dana Rettke and outside hitter Kara Bajema improved to 3-0 after winning a battle over Savino Del Bene Scandicci and middle blocker Haleigh Washington 3-2 (27-25, 25-18, 25-27, 22-25, 16-14) on Oct. 22.

Rettke scored 13 points on 13 kills and was named match MVP. Bajema subbed in the fourth set and started the fifth, scoring seven points on six kills and one block. Washington did not play.

Washington did play on Oct. 29 when Scandicci (3-1) beat Trasportipesanti Casalmaggiore, 3-1 (25-18, 23-25, 25-14, 25-22). Washington scored seven points on six kills and one block. Setter Micha Hancock played for Casalmaggiore (1-3). She scored five points on three kills, one block and one ace and set her team to a .323 hitting efficiency.

Middle blocker Anna Hall scored six points for Honda Olivero S.Bernardo Cuneo (2-2) on three kills and three blocks in a 3-2 (25-20, 17-25, 19-25, 25-22, 16-14) win over Volley Bergamo 1991 on Oct. 28. U.S. outside hitter Madi Kubik scored twelve points on 10 kills, one block and one ace for Cuneo. U.S. opposite Audriana Fitzmorris scored three points as a substitute for Bergamo.

JAPAN

U.S. opposite Annie Drews and JT Marvelous are 4-0 in Japan. On Oct. 29, JT Marvelous beat the Okayama Seagulls 3-0 (25-21, 25-12, 25-16). Drews scored 19 points on 14 kills, two blocks and three aces.

GERMANY

U.S. libero Justine Wong-Orantes and SC Potsdam are 3-1 after the first four matches in Germany’s top league. On Oct. 28, Potsdam beat VC Neuwied 77, 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-14). Wong-Orantes was credited with eight receptions, 38 percent positive. U.S. middle blocker Breland Morrissette scored nine points on six kills and three blocks. U.S. opposite Danielle Harbin totaled 13 points on 12 kills and one block.

Libero Zoe Fleck and USC Münster took their first league win 3-0 (25-9, 25-19, 25-21) over Achen on Oct. 28. Fleck was credited with 11 receptions, 64 percent positive. Opposite Gloria Mutiri scored 22 points on 21 kills and a block. U.S. setter Jenna Ewert scored five points on three kills and two aces. Opposite Grace Frohling scored nine points on kills for Desdner.

ROMANIA

Setter Ashley Evans and CSM Bucharest are 3-1 in Romania’s top league. On Oct. 28, Bucharest beat CSM Constanta, 3-0 (25-14, 25-13, 25-17). Evans started the first two sets and scored four points on two kills, one block and one ace.

FRANCE

Outside hitter Taylor Mims and Nantes (3-1) suffered their first loss on Oct. 28 to Terville Florange, 3-2 (23-25, 16-25, 25-21, 25-17, 15-13). Mims led all scorers with 27 points on 23 kills and four blocks.

ATHLETES UNLIMITED

Several U.S. Women’s players are competing with Athletes Unlimited, the U.S. volleyball league where athletes earn points by competing with different teams each week in Mesa, Ariz.

After four weeks of play, libero Morgan Hentz is in third place with outside hitter Brooke Nuneviller in fourth. Setter Sydney Hilley is in fifth place. Middle blocker Danielle Hart is in 23^rd place. Libero Kendall White is in 28^th.

To keep up with Athletes Unlimited, visit their website at auprosports.com/volleyball/.

BRAZIL

Brazil’s women’s SuperLeague will begin Nov. 3 with the Super Cup.

Outside hitter Roni Jones Perry will play for SESC. Middle Brionne Butler will be with Osasco. Setter Jenna Gray will play for Minas.

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

As an assistant coach with the University of Nebraska’s women’s volleyball team, Jordan Larson has helped the Cornhuskers to a 21-0 record and the No. 1 ranking in the AVCA NCAA Division I poll.