Vicenza's Natalia Lopez goes airborne to push the ball over the net Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
VICENZA, Italy – Isabell Green got a very close look at an Addison Krajicek spike Friday night.
But despite getting hit squarely in the face, the Vicenza sophomore and her team didn’t metaphorically take it on the chin in the opening day of a DODEA-Europe volleyball qualifying tournament.
The Cougars are in good shape entering Saturday’s play. If they win at least two of the three sets they’ll play against Black Forest Academy, they’ll participate in the Division II championships the school is hosting Nov. 7-8.
If the Falcons take two, it would likely create a three-way tie between BFA, Vicenza and Aviano with the difference coming down to a point differential between the three schools. If the Falcons take all three, the Cougars are likely out.
Vicenza coach John Kohut didn’t want to talk math.
“I want to win all three,” he said simply.
His team came close to winning all three of its sets against Aviano, taking the first two sets 25-18 and 25-21 before losing 25-23 in the last one.
Krajicek, Aviano’s 6-foot All-Europe spiker who will likely be playing in college next year, willed her team to win the third set both at the net and at the service line.
“She’s a great hitter,” said Green, who took over setting duties this year after playing limited minutes as a freshman.
The Cougars don’t have anyone to match Krajicek. But they have a lot more options when it comes to scoring.
“I can set the ball to any of my teammates and I know they’ll hit it,” Green said.
She brushed off the spike to the face and was able to smile about it later. Thanks to the help of an ice pack.
The Cougars breezed by their second opponent of the day – Marymount – by winning all three sets: 25-3, 25-8, 25-15. BFA had opened the day by topping the Royals 25-9, 25-20, 25-8.
The matchup between the Saints and Falcons to end the day was the most spirited contest. BFA won the first set 25-23 before Aviano won the last two 25-15, 25-22.
Like the other nine qualifying tournaments around Europe this weekend, the top two teams at each location advance to five championships – three girls and two boys – the following weekend.
Vicenza's Isabell Green sends the ball upward Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Charlee Stoner sends the ball past the block of Vicenza's Isabell Green on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Black Forest Academy setter Eden Miller sends the ball into the air toward a teammate Friday, Oct. 31, 2025 at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Black Forest Academy's Sierra Tweedy bumps the ball while teammate Esther Lee watches Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Marymount's Sophie Colace bumps the ball Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Marymount's Zoe Ziskin grimaces while keeping the ball from hitting the court Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano's Addison Krajicek hits the ball past two Black Forest Academy defenders Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe Division II volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Boys
Micah Guerrero won a title a year ago as a sophomore libero on an Aviano squad loaded with seniors.
He and Toby Canales are the only players back from that squad.
But while expectations were low for the Saints this year, Guerrero said he’s not ready to leave the throne just yet.
“I still think we can win it all if we play at our absolute best,” he said after leading Aviano to win two of the three sets it played against Vicenza.
That was the only boys match played in Vicenza on Friday. BFA plays both the Saints and Cougars on Saturday.
Guerrero, who plays outside hitter in three different Italian leagues with the same organization, changed positions and assumed a leadership role. At 5 feet, 10 inches, he looks a bit taller this year as well.
He said he’s not sure that’s the case.
“I do feel taller,” he said with a smile.
Aviano's Toby Canales gets the ball by Vicenza's Raul Carrillo on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Vicenza’s Edward Funston Treadway goes low to keep the ball in play Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Aviano’s Micah Guerrero watches his spike get past Vicenza’s Philip Cirilio Ramos on Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
Vicenza's Ben Morton gets the ball past Aviano defenders Friday, Oct. 31, 2025, at a DODEA-Europe volleyball qualifying tournament in Vicenza, Italy. (Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes)
