Germany - VBL 1. Bundesliga 2016/17

    Time for a new topic for next season...


    Participating teams:
    1. Dresdner SC
    2. Allianz MTV Stuttgart
    3. Schweriner SC
    4. USC Münster
    5. VC Wiesbaden
    6. Rote Raben Vilsbiburg
    7. SC Potsdam
    8. Köpenicker SC Berlin
    9. Ladies in Black Aachen
    10. VfB Suhl (ex-Volleystars Thüringen)
    11. VCO Berlin (Junior team from German federation)
    12. Schwarz-Weiß Erfurt (coming up from 2nd league)

    Coach: Alexander Waibl


    S:
    Mareen Apitz (GER, 1987)
    Lucie Smutna (CZE, 1991)


    OPP:
    Liz McMahon (USA, 1993)
    Amber Rolfzen (USA, 1994)


    OH:
    Eva Hodanova (CZE, 1993) - injured
    Katharina Schwabe (GER, 1993)
    Dominika Strumilo (BEL, 1996)
    Jocelynn Birks (USA, 1993)
    Gina Mancuso (USA, 1991) - until December
    Kadie Rolfzen (USA, 1994)


    MB:
    Jennifer Cross (CAN, 1992)
    Barbora Purchartova (CZE, 1992)
    Erin Johnson (USA, 1990)
    Brittnee Cooper (USA, 1988 )


    L:
    Myrthe Schoot (NED, 1988 )
    Valerie Courtois (BEL, 1990)


    Leaving:
    Laura Dijkema (Novara)
    Mareike Hindriksen (Prostejov)
    Kristina Mikhailenko (Idman Ocagi)
    Louisa Lippmann (Schwerin)
    Michelle Bartsch (Bolzano)
    Lisa Izquierdo (Turkey 2nd league)
    Nneka Onyejekwe (Alba Blaj)
    Katie Slay (inactivity)
    Whitney Little (inactivity)
    Lisa Stock (Erfurt)

    Coach: Guillermo Hernandez (ESP)


    S:
    Valerie Nichol (USA, 1993)
    Karmen Kocar (SLO, 1982)


    OPP:
    Aiyana Whitney (USA, 1993)
    Deborah van Daelen (NED, 1989)


    OH:
    Kim Renkema (NED, 1987)
    Renata Sandor (HUN, 1990)
    Michaela Mlejnkova (CZE, 1996)
    Julia Schaefer (GER, 1996)
    Julia Wenzel (GER, 1998 )


    MB:
    Jennifer Pettke (GER, 1989)
    Nia Grant (USA, 1993)
    Micheli Tomazela (BRA, 1984)


    L:
    Wanna Buakaew (THA, 1981)


    Leaving:
    Femke Stoltenborg (Aachen)
    Kaja Grobelna (Lodz)
    Jelena Wlk (2nd team)
    Mari Aase Hole
    Nichole Lindow (retired)
    Caroline Jarmoc
    Lisa Thomsen (Gladbeck, 2nd league)

    Coach: Felix Koslowski


    S:
    Denise Hanke (GER, 1989)
    Lexi Dannemiller (USA, 1993)


    OPP:
    Louisa Lippmann (GER, 1994)


    OH:
    Maren Brinker (GER, 1986)
    Lousi Souza Ziegler (BRA, 1985)
    Jennifer Geerties (GER, 1994)
    Ariel Gebhardt (Turner) (USA, 1991) - also OPP
    Elisa Lohmann (GER, 1998 ) - also L


    MB:
    Lauren Barfield (USA, 1990)
    Anja Brandt (GER, 1990)
    Marie Schölzel (GER, 1997)
    Sabrina Krause (GER, 1998 )


    L:
    Lenka Dürr (GER, 1990)


    Leaving:
    Michaela Wessely (Erfurt)
    Tanja Joachim (Stralsund 2nd league)
    Tabitha Love (Korea)
    Marie Holstein (Köpenick)
    Veronika Hroncekova (Suhl)
    Janine Völker (retired)
    Stefanie Golla (retired)

    Coach: Andi Vollmer


    S:
    Kaisa Alanko (FIN, 1993)
    Britt Bongaerts (NED, 1996)


    OPP:
    Erica Wilson (USA, 1991)


    OH:
    Bogdana Anisova (UKR, 1992)
    Hanna Orthmann (GER, 1998 )
    Ines Bathen (GER, 1990)
    Sina Fuchs (GER, 1992)


    MB:
    Jennifer Keddy (USA. 1991)
    Leonie Schwertmann (GER, 1994)
    Juliane Langgemach (GER, 1994)


    L:
    Linda Dörendahl (GER, 1984)


    Leaving:
    Amanda Sa (Spain)
    Irina Kemmsies (Wiesbaden)
    Michala Kvapilova (beach volley)
    Sarah Petrausch (retired)
    Alisha Ossowski (retired)
    Julia Schaefer (Stuttgart)
    Ashley Benson (inactivity)
    Andrea Lakovic

    Coach: Dirk Groß


    S:
    Irina Kemmsies (GER, 1996)
    Lia-Tabea Mertens (GER, 1994)


    OPP:
    Delainey Aigner-Swesey (USA, 1992)
    Annalena Mach (LUX, 1995)


    OH:
    Karolina Bednarova (CZE, 1986)
    Tanja Großer (GER, 1993)
    Dora Grozer (GER, 1995)
    Eliza Hynes (AUS, 1992)


    MB:
    Simona Kosova (SVK, 1992)
    Molly McCage (USA, 1994)
    Eszter Nagy (HUN, 1991)


    L:
    Alyssa Longo (USA, 1991)


    Leaving:
    Kaisa Alanko (Münster)
    Iveta Halbichova
    Liz Hintemann
    Esther van Berkel (beach volley)
    Elena Steinemann (beach volley)
    Jennifer Pettke (Stuttgart)
    Celin Stöhr (Köpenick)
    Rebecca Schäperklaus (illness)

    Coach: Jonas Kronseder


    S:
    Naoko Hashimoto (JPN, 1984)
    Lauren Plum (USA, 1992)
    Mona Elwassimy (GER, 1990)


    OPP:
    Liana Mesa (CUB, 1977)


    OH:
    Keao Burdine (USA, 1983)
    Srna Markovic (AUT, 1996)
    Lena Stigrot (GER, 1994) - also OPP
    Courtney Felinski (USA, 1992)


    MB:
    Kerley Becker (BRA, 1986)
    Barbara Wezorke (GER, 1993)
    Marlies Wagendorp (NED, 1993)


    L:
    Saana Koljonen (FIN, 1988 )
    Isabelle Liebchen (GER, 1996)


    Leaving:
    Tess von Piekartz (Pfeffingen)
    Matea Magdic
    Roslandy Acosta (Potsdam)
    Quirine Oosterveld (beach volley)
    Nikol Sajdova (Olomouc)
    Lucy Charuk (CSM Bucarest)
    Emani Sims
    Kirsten Knip (Aachen)

    Coach: Davide Carli (ITA)


    S:
    Denise Imoudu (GER, 1995)
    Ann-Marie Knauf (GER, 1992)


    OPP:
    Marta Drpa (SRB, 1989)
    Kimberly Drewniok (GER, 1997)


    OH:
    Roslandy Acosta (VEN, 1992)
    Ljubica Kecman (SRB, 1993)
    Annegret Hölzig (GER, 1997)


    MB:
    Ivona Svobodnikova (CZE, 1991)
    Wiebke Silge (GER, 1996)
    Lisa Gründing (GER, 1991)


    L:
    Lisa Rühl (GER, 1989)
    Sophie Dreblow (GER, 1998 )


    Leaving:
    Alberto Salomoni (Budapest)
    Marina Katic
    Luisa Sydlik (USA)
    Saskia Hippe (Olympiakos)
    Nadja Schaus (Köniz)
    Regina Mapeli Burchardt (retired)
    Manuela Roani
    Diana Arrechea
    Ivonne Montano

    Coach: Manuel Rieke


    S:
    Sarah Wickstrom (USA, 1993)
    Luise Klein (GER, 1999)


    OPP:
    Nele Iwohn (GER, 1997)
    Marie Holstein (GER, 1997)


    OH:
    Dominice Steffen (GER, 1987)
    Pia Riedel (GER, 1990)
    Nicole Walch (USA, 1993)
    Annalena Grätz (GER, 1997)


    MB:
    Nuria Lopes da Silva (POR, 1991)
    Celin Stöhr (GER, 1993)
    Julia Hero (GER, 1992)


    L:
    Anna Pogany (GER, 1994)
    Jessica Göpner (GER, 1990)


    Leaving:
    Björn Matthes (Potsdam 2nd team)
    Ann-Marie Knauf (Potsdam)
    Kaleigh Nelson (retired?)
    Janisa Johnson (Finland)
    Lauren Barfield (Schwerin)
    Eva Rutarova (Lugano)

    Coach: Saskia van Hintum (NED)


    S:
    Femke Stoltenborg (NED, 1991)
    Kimmy Whitson (USA, 1993)
    Lindsay Dowd (USA, 1991)


    OPP:
    Ioana Baciu (ROM, 1990)
    Frauke Neuhaus (GER, 1993)


    OH:
    Nika Daalderop (NED, 1998 )
    Nicole Oude Luttikhuis (NED, 1997)
    McKenzie Adams (USA, 1992)


    MB:
    Anna Kalinovskaya (BLR, 1985)
    Tessa Polder (NED, 1997)
    Jeanine Stoeten (NED, 1991)


    L:
    Kirsten Knip (NED, 1992)


    Leaving:
    Manuel Hartmann (Schwerin)
    Brit Bongaerts (Münster)
    Silvia Baradel
    Tatiana Crkonova (Neuwied 2nd league)
    Lene Scheuschner (Stralsund 2nd league)
    Miroslava Kuciakova (Stella Calais)
    Dora Grozer (Wiesbaden)
    Ivona Svobodnikova (Potsdam)
    Simona Kosova (Wiesbaden)
    Juliane Langgemach (Münster)
    Dominika Valachova (Nancy)

    Coach: Han Abbing (NED)


    S:
    Laurianne Delabarre (FRA, 1987)
    Anna Maria Bajde (AUT, 1994)


    OPP:
    Juliana Valongo de Castro "Lia" (BRA, 1985)
    Tereza Patockova (CZE, 1994)


    OH:
    Claudia Steger (GER, 1990)
    Marrit Jasper (NED, 1996)
    Katharina Holzer (AUT, 1998 )


    MB:
    Veronika Hroncekova (SVK, 1990)
    Beth Carey (AUS, 1990)


    L:
    Michelle Petter (GER, 1997)
    Miloslava Lauerova (CZE, 1978 )


    Leaving:
    Martina Jelinkova (4th league)
    Lia-Tabea Mertens (Wiesbaden)
    Jordanne Scott (Thailand?)
    Erika Salanciova (Brno)
    Dominika Drobnakova (France)
    Veronika Trnkova (Prostejov)
    Madi Mahaffey
    Christina Speer

    Coach: Jan Lindenmair


    S:
    Pia Kästner (GER, 1998 )
    Lisa Senger (GER, 1998 )


    OPP:
    Lena Große-Scharmann (GER, 1998 )


    OH:
    Vanessa Agbortabi (GER, 1998 )
    Aisha Skinner (GER, 1999)
    Gina Köppen (GER, 1998 )
    Sindy Lenz (GER, 1998 )


    MB:
    Sabrina Krause (GER, 1998 )
    Merle Weidt (GER, 1999)
    Maike Herzog (GER, 1999)
    Catharina Wiesner (GER, 1998 )


    L:
    Paula Morgenroth (GER, 1999)


    Leaving:
    Kimberly Drewniok (Potsdam)
    Josephine Suhr (Köpenick 2nd team)
    Pauline Kunkler
    Sophie Dreblow (Potsdam)

    Coach: Manuel Müller


    S:
    Alison Skayhan (USA, 1992)
    Michaela Wessely (GER, 1995)


    OPP:
    Macy Ubben (USA, 1991)
    Madleen Piest (GER, 1995)


    OH:
    Antonia Stautz (GER, 1993)
    Natascha Niemczyk (GER, 1990)
    Luise Wolf (GER, 1997)


    MB:
    Katlin Winters (USA, 1992)
    Liis Kullerkann (EST, 1991)
    Selma Hetmann (GER, 1995)


    L:
    Lisa Stock (GER, 1994)


    I have no knowledge, that Mari Hole will leave the team: where this information comes from?

    Quote from Matthias

    She was deleted from Stuttgart's roster on VBL site also for current season and there was no mention of her at all in any article from Stuttgart, so I assumed she wouldn't return next season...


    I think, this is a misunderstanding: when it became clear, that Mari couldn't play in season 15/16 anymore due to her shoulder injury, and after finishing the European Cups with their bigger demand of number of players, she was no longer listed as available consequently, for example to recycle her number for another player (Alexandra Bura from the second team). But the option for season 16/17 of Allianz MTV Stutgart still exists, she accompanied the team until the very last game on 2. May 2016 in Dresden and the negotiations about player contracts are largely not finished. So it is open IMHO currently, if the option is taken or another outside hitter is engaged for the last open position (three are already fixed).


    By the way, I'm not sure even with Köpenick, if they manage to survive economically. The silence from there is rather suspicious and in the last years they had often a hard time to get the money required to stay in the first league. Although they succeeded since 2005 every year with it, this means nothing due to the increased prerequisites by the VBL.

    Dresdner SC will play Champions League.
    Allianz MTV Stuttgart and Rote Raben Vilsbiburg will play CEV Cup.
    Schweriner SC will play Challenge Cup.


    It doesn't make sense that Schwerin as 3rd plays Challenge Cup and Vilsbiburg as 6th plays CEV Cup :what:

    Today was announced, what we already knew partly:


    Dresdner SC goes directly into CL group phase
    Allianz MTV Stuttgart goes directly to CEV Cup knockout phase, skipping the CL qualification trial they could have participated in too


    Rote Raben Vilsbiburg takes one of the open berths, after VC Wiesbaden and USC Münster didn't announce participation: the surprise is, that they go also directly into CEV Cup, not into Challenge Cup like last year, when situation was similar for them.


    And the last surprise is: Schweriner SC went down, takes part into Challenge Cup instead of CEV Cup: calculate they better chances in this lower grade competition?