Pasig city: Defending champion Italy secured a commanding 25-18, 25-21, 25-22 victory over Czechia in the Women's Volleyball Nations League (VNL) Week 2 on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City. Sarah Fahr made her season debut, contributing six points to help Italy recover from their earlier five-set defeat to Brazil in Brasilia, thus enhancing their win-loss record to 4-1.

According to Philippines News Agency, Jordan Thompson led Team USA to a decisive win against the Dominican Republic, with scores of 25-20, 25-19, 25-12, in another match. Thompson, continuing from the USA's Week 1 roster, scored 15 points, which included 13 attack points and two aces. Teammates Logan Eggleston and Dana Rettke added 10 points each, securing the Americans' fourth victory in five matches.

Both Italy and the USA registered two aces each, despite the Dominican Republic holding a statistical edge in reception, 69-46, and in sets, 104-94. Thompson expressed satisfaction with her team's rapid adjustments, stating, "Practicing, training and just trying to gel together as a group, since it was a new roster." She acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the team's resilience, saying, "It wasn't always pretty, but I think what we do really well is finding ways to grit through it, even when it's not exactly how we want it."

USA's skipper and setter Jordyn Poulter delivered a solid performance, contributing to the team's 43 attack points. On the opposing side, veteran outside hitter Yokaira Paola Pe±a Ysabel scored eight points for the Dominican Republic, which marked its fifth consecutive loss, while young opposite hitter Alondra Denis Tapia Cruz added five points from attacks.