Kelly Cheng going through three different partners in three seasons and somehow landing in the strongest position of her career is impressive as hell
Hughes in 2024. Shaw in 2025. Now Kraft in 2026 — and Kraft led all women in aces per set last season on top of ranking second in digs. Two of the best servers and defenders on the women's side, on the same team.
Three straight seasons of partnership changes should probably slow a player down. Instead Cheng keeps finding ways to qualify and compete. Straight sets over Rodriguez/Shaw in the Qualifier 2 women's final, 18-16 15-7. That second set wasn't even close.
The women's side of the 2026 League feels genuinely open in a way it hasn't in a while. Humana-Paredes/Wilkerson are back, Denaburg/Donlin are defending League champions, and now Cheng/Kraft are coming in with this kind of early form. Should be a fun summer.
u/Classic_Exit_5951 — 20 hours ago