Europeans Abroad: Atanasijević and Kubiak lift the trophy in China
News
European volleyball players are spread all over the world during the 2023-2024 club season, playing big roles in their teams. Many of them are currently away from the continent, competing in some of the top leagues on the planet, and we’ll help you follow their journeys by providing periodic updates on how they’re doing.
China
Serbian opposite Aleksandar Atanasijević and Polish outside hitter Michał Kubiak pushed Shanghai Bright to the title of the Chinese Men’s League in their first season with the team, securing the title of the tournament on Sunday.
In the Finals, the two and their Shanghai teammates faced defending champions Beijing BAIC Motor, who also had Europeans in their squad in Ukrainian setter Yurii Synytsia and Belarusian middle blocker Maksim Shkredau, and prevailed with three consecutive victories.
Two of their three victories in the best-of-five series that determined the champions were obtained this week. On Thursday, Shanghai won 3-0, with 22 points scored by Atanasijević and 15 added by Kubiak.
On Sunday, they produced another sweep, with the Serbian registering a match-high 20 points while the Polish contributed nine.
Brazil
Russian outside hitter Sofya Kuznetsova will play in the Finals of the Brazilian Women’s Superliga in her first season playing in the country as her team, defending champions Dentil Praia Clube, advanced from the semifinal round this week.
Praia faced regular season winners SESC Flamengo and won the best-of-three semifinal series by two victories to zero, triumphing 3-2 at home on Monday and 3-1 on the road on Friday. The top scorer of the Superliga, Kuznetsova contributed 18 points on the first encounter and 17 on the second. Bulgarian outside hitter Dobriana Rabadzhieva is also part of Praia’s roster.
In the Finals, Praia will face in-state rivals Gerdau Minas in a single match, on April 21.
USA
The leaders of the American Women’s Pro Volleyball Federation League, the Atlanta Vibe had a perfect week of play, securing three wins in the span of six days to improve their record to 15 wins and four losses and remain clear at the top of the standings.
On Monday, the Vibe were on the road against the Las Vegas Thrill and counted on 12 points from Czech middle blocker Magdalena Jehlárová and six from Russian opposite Anna Lazareva to get a sweep. Two days later, they played as visitors again and overcame the San Diego Mojo also in straight sets, with Lazareva tallying 14 points and Jehlárová adding 13.
Atlanta returned home on Saturday to face the second-placed Omaha Supernovas and triumphed again, prevailing again 3-1 to extend their winning streak to six matches. Jehlárová and Lazareva combined for 25 points, with the Czech tallying 14 and the Russian adding 11.