VOLLEYBALL: U.S. women win two of three in Nations League in Lincoln; stand third after three weeks

The FIVB Women’s Nations League passed the halfway mark during last weekend’s play, including the U.S. hosting a pool in Lincoln, Nebraska and winning two of three to stand third with two weeks to go. The current leaders:

1. 24 points Turkey (8-1)
2. 22 points Italy (7-2)
3. 21 points United States (7-2)
4. 20 points China (7-2)
5. 20 points Poland (7-2)
6. 19 points Brazil (6-3)
7. 15 points Japan (5-4)
8. 15 points Serbia (5-4)

At Lincoln, the U.S. defeated South Korea (3-1) and Germany (3-0), but lost to Brazil, 3-1. This week, the American squad will head to Jiangmen (CHN) for matches with league-leading Turkey (11 June), Poland (12 June) and China (13 June). The U.S. will finish in Yekaterinburg (RUS) against Russia, the Netherlands and Thailand. The top five teams (plus host China) will advance to the final round.

Poland’s Malwina Smarzek continues as the top scorer in the tournament with 247 total points. The best hitters include Ebrar Karakurt (TUR) with 88 kills in 172 tries for a 51.1% kill ratio, followed by Brayelin Martinez (DOM) at 49.4% (178/360) and Andrea Drews of the U.S. at 46.1% (83/180).

The men’s Nations League has completed two weeks, with Brazil the only undefeated team at 6-0. The current standings:

1. 15 points Brazil (6-0) ~ no. 1 as still undefeated
2. 16 points Iran (5-1)
3. 16 points France (5-1)
4. 14 points Russia (5-1)
5. 12 points Italy (4-2)
6. 12 points Canada (4-2)
7. 11 points Poland (4-2)
8. 10 points Argentina (2-4)

The U.S. is ninth with nine points (2-4) will qualifies automatically for the final as the host country (in Chicago).

The American team went 1-2 in the first round in Poland, then 1-2 again in Ufa (RUS) last week, losing to Italy (3-1) and Russia (3-0) and defeating Portugal (3-1). This week, the U.S. will be Cannes (FRA), facing Argentina (14 June), Germany (15 June) and France (16 June).

Look for complete results and schedules here.