Friday, 6 Dec 2024

Adams, Hancock Lead Saugella Team Monza to CEV Challenge Cup Title

Rachael Adams and Micha Hancock showcased their talent as they led Saugella Team Monza to victory in the CEV Challenge Cup. The U.S. Women’s National Team members shone brightly while playing for their respective pro teams abroad.

Trivia Question: Can you name three members of the 2003 U.S. Women’s A2 Team who went on to become Olympians in 2008?

Adams and Hancock with Team Monza in Italian League: Rachael Adams and Micha Hancock are currently playing for Saugella Team Monza in the Italian Serie A1 and CEV Challenge Cup. In the CEV Challenge Cup, Team Monza secured a remarkable victory over Aydin BBSK, winning with a score of 25-20, 17-25, 25-22, 25-15. Adams displayed her skills by contributing five kills and four blocks, while Hancock served as an excellent setter, achieving a 38% kill percentage. This was Team Monza’s first-ever European competition. In the Italian Serie A1, Team Monza finished the regular season in fourth place and will now face Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio in the quarterfinals.

Hill, Lowe with Conegliano in Italian League: Kim Hill and Karsta Lowe are currently representing Imoco Volley Conegliano in the Italian Serie A1. Conegliano secured a comprehensive victory in their last regular-season game against Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio, with a score of 25-20, 27-25, 25-19. Hill stood out with an impressive performance, contributing 15 points, including 14 kills and an ace. Conegliano has secured the top seed for the playoffs and will face Bosca San Bernardo Cuneo in the quarterfinals.

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Bartsch-Hackley, Carlini with Novara in Italian League: Michelle Bartsch-Hackley and Lauren Carlini are currently playing for Igor Gorgonzola Novara in the Italian Serie A1 and the European Champions League. Novara faced a setback in their last regular-season match against Pomi Casalmaggiore, losing with a score of 25-18, 19-25, 25-19, 25-21. Bartsch-Hackley contributed seven kills, a block, and a 65% positive reception rate, while Carlini’s excellent setting skills helped Novara achieve a 41% kill percentage. Novara finished the regular season in second place and will face Il Bisonte in the quarterfinals.

Courtney and Hannah Tapp with Bergamo in Italian League: Megan Courtney and Hannah Tapp are currently playing for Zanetti Bergamo in the Italian Serie A1. Bergamo concluded its season with a close loss against Saugella Team Monza, with a score of 16-25, 27-25, 25-20, 25-20. Courtney scored 15 points, including 11 kills, three blocks, and an ace. Tapp played in the opening set but did not score any points. Bergamo finished the regular season in ninth place.

Washington with Brescia in Italian League: Haleigh Washington is currently representing Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia in the Italian Serie A1. Brescia faced a tough loss in their final regular-season match against Savino Del Bene Scandicci, with a score of 25-19, 25-7, 25-11. Washington did not play in the match. Brescia finished the regular season in tenth place.

Whitney with Filottrano in Italian League: Aiyana Whitney is currently playing for Lardini Filotrrano in the Italian Serie A1. Filottrano ended its season with a loss against Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri, with a score of 25-18, 25-15, 25-17. Whitney contributed six kills in the match. Filottrano concluded the season in eleventh place.

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Larson and Gibbemeyer with Eczacibasi in Turkish League: Jordan Larson and Lauren Gibbemeyer are currently competing with Eczacibasi in the Turkish League. Eczacibasi started their quarterfinal series with a dominant victory over Kameroglu Beylikduzu, winning with a score of 26-24, 25-15, 25-14. Gibbemeyer performed exceptionally well, contributing eight kills, two aces, and a block. Larson played a vital role with ten kills and a 59% positive reception rate. Eczacibasi advanced to the semifinals and will face Galatasaray.

Robinson with VakifBank in Turkish League: Kelsey Robinson is currently playing for VakifBank in the Turkish League and the European Champions League. VakifBank completed their quarterfinal series against Nilufer with a convincing victory of 25-21, 25-17, 25-12. Robinson showcased her skills, scoring 12 points with 11 kills and a 67% positive reception rate. VakifBank advanced to the semifinals and will face Igor Gorgonzola Novara in a home-and-home series.

Drews and Lee with Beylikduzu in Turkish League: Annie Drews and Simone Lee are competing with Kameroglu Beylikduzu Voleybol Ihtisas alongside fellow American setter Kelly Hunter in the Turkish League. Although Beylikduzu faced defeat against Eczacibasi in the quarterfinals, Drews and Lee put up a strong fight. Drews contributed 21 points, including 18 kills, and Lee scored 14 points with nine kills. Hunter set the team to a 30% kill percentage.

Wilhite Parsons, Paige Tapp, Rivers, and McCage with MTV Stuttgart in German Bundesliga: Sarah Wilhite Parsons, Molly McCage, Paige Tapp, Krystal Rivers, and Madi Bugg are representing Allianz MTV Stuttgart in the German Bundesliga. As the top seed, Stuttgart began their quarterfinal series with a convincing victory over VC Wiesbaden, winning with a score of 25-18, 25-17, 25-17. Rivers stood out with an outstanding performance, scoring 20 points with 16 kills and four blocks. Tapp, Wilhite Parsons, and McCage all contributed eight points. The series will continue on April 3, with a tiebreaker match on April 6 if necessary.

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Benson with Dresdner in German Bundesliga: Amanda Benson is currently playing for Dresdner SC in the German Bundesliga. Dresdner faced a narrow defeat in the first match of their quarterfinal series against Aachen, with a score of 22-25, 25-23, 25-21, 18-25, 15-10. Benson showcased her skills as the team’s libero. The series will continue on April 3, with a potential tiebreaker match on April 6 to determine the semifinalist.

Ogbogu with Chemik Police in Poland: Chiaka Ogbogu is playing for Chemik Police in the Polish League and the European Champions League. Chemik Police secured the top seed and advanced to the semifinals with an impressive record of 19 wins and 3 losses. They will face Grot Budowlani Lodz in the semifinals on April 6.

Akinradewo with Hisamitsu Springs in Japan: Foluke Akinradewo has returned to Hisamitsu Springs in the Japanese V-League. Hisamitsu Springs completed the Final 8 with an unbeaten record of 7-0, and will now face Toray in the next round on April 6.

Lloyd with Praia Clube in Brazil: Carli Lloyd is currently playing for Praia Clube in the Brazilian Superliga. Praia Clube, the third seed in the playoffs, is awaiting their semifinal opponent after breezing through the quarterfinals. They will face Sesi Volei Bauru in a best-of-three series starting on April 1.

Trivia Answer: The three members of the 2003 U.S. Women’s A2 Team who went on to become Olympians in 2008 are Kim Glass, Jennifer Joines Tamas, and Kim Willoughby. They all participated in the 2003 USA Volleyball Open National Championships and achieved silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.