Inside The Numbers: A Look at the VNL Women’s Preliminary Rounds
After 120 matches, 15 per team and several standout performances in women’s VNL play, there was no question about who was the standout performer of the preliminary round: Poland’s Malwina Smarzek
Todor Skrimov Going Back to Italy
Todor Skrimov will be continuing his career in Italy with Callipo Vibo Valentia. Skrimov was sidelined this past weekend with a calf injury against France in the Volleyball Nations League.
Women’s Silver #EuroLeague: Sweden Downs Austria for Gold; Albania Nabs Bronze
Sweden earned promotion to the 2019 Golden League with their win in the Silver League of the 2018 European Volleyball League.
France, USA Lead #VNL Standings After Week 4
The battle for the Final Six is very much alive with only four teams mathematically eliminated: Iran (4-7), Argentina (2-10), China (2-10) and South Korea (1-11).
Anderson Paces USA to Sweep of Iran, Perfect Home Record
Six starters scored, led by Matt Anderson’s 18 points, as the United States finished off a perfect 3-0 week at home in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
Atanasijevic, Serbia Excel Offensively, Sweep Past Poland
Offense was key for Serbia as the team’s 44-37 edge in kills was the difference in a sweep of Poland decided by just six points.
France Edges Canada in 5, Brazil Falls in Five Sets in Varna
Canada opted not to play many of its starters and came up just short in a five-setter against first place France, which won its sixth straight VNL match. Thirty-three errors proved to be too much to overcome as Brazil fought valiantly before falling to Bulgaria in five sets for the team’s third-straight loss in Varna.
Japan Rallies in 5-Setter vs. Argentina, Russia Sweeps Germany
In a match that featured three deuce sets, 15 blocks were not enough to lift Argentina past Japan, which won its second five-set affair of the week. Romanas Shkulyavichus and Dmitriy Muserskiy scored in double digits to lead Russia past Germany in a sweep.
Korea Breaks Into Win Column; Australia Upsets Italy in 4 Sets
Even with Chuan Jing back in the lineup and scoring 17 points, China was no match for South Korea on Sunday as the Koreans earned their first VNL win with a home sweep. In a tight match, it was a handful of Italian errors that spelled the difference in a 3-1 Australian victory.
2018 Women’s Silver #EuroLeague: Sweden & Austria to Meet for Gold
Final Four host Sweden will take on Austria after the two won their semifinal matches at the 2018 European Volleyball Silver League.