Game Preview: San Diego Mojo at Columbus Fury: April 3, 2026
MLV San Diego Mojo

Game Preview: San Diego Mojo at Columbus Fury: April 3, 2026

Published on April 3, 2026 under Major League Volleyball (MLV)
San Diego Mojo News Release


Game 19: San Diego Mojo (8-10) at Columbus Fury (4-14)

Friday, April 3, 2026 | 4:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. ET

Nationwide Arena | Columbus, Ohio

Tune In

The game will broadcast live on YouTube.

Neil Sika (play-by-play) and Audrey Flaigh (analyst) will be on the call.

MATCH NOTES | STATS

MATCHUP STORYLINES

History Favors San Diego: The Mojo hold a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series, including two wins over the Fury this season.

Defense vs. the Block: This matchup features one of the league's top defensive teams against its most dominant blocking unit. San Diego leads MLV with 17.47 digs per set, while Columbus tops the league with 2.74 blocks per set, setting up a battle between back-row consistency and front-row disruption.

Momentum Meets Urgency: The Mojo enter after snapping a three-match skid with a strong home win, while the Fury are pushing through the final stretch of the season with 10 matches remaining and a focus on positioning.

Back Row Battle: Shara Venegas (3rd in digs per set, 3.82) anchors San Diego's defense, while Kamaile Hiapo has emerged for Columbus, averaging 3.94 digs per set in her starts.

Setting the Tone: Marlie Monserez ranks among the league leaders in assists and leads MLV in hitting efficiency, driving San Diego's offense, while rookie Audrey Pak is coming off Player of the Week honors after leading Columbus to a highly efficient offensive performance.

Primary Scorers to Watch: Grace Loberg leads a balanced Mojo attack, while Raina Terry paces the Fury, ranking fourth in the league in both total points and points per set.

Net Presence Could Decide It: Columbus' Regan Pittman-Nelson leads the league in blocks, highlighting the Fury's strength at the net, while Marin Grote provides a steady blocking presence for San Diego.

SAN DIEGO MOJO OUTLOOK

Mojo Building Momentum: The San Diego Mojo enter their next match at 8-10 following a four-set win over Omaha. The victory snapped a three-match skid and continued a strong stretch at Viejas Arena, where San Diego has won five of its last six matches.

Defense Sets the Standard: San Diego leads Major League Volleyball with 17.47 digs per set, more than half a dig ahead of Grand Rapids (16.73), and ranks second in total digs with 1,258 through 72 sets. The Mojo continue to establish themselves as one of the league's most consistent defensive units.

Venegas Anchors the Back Row: Libero Shara Venegas ranks fifth in the league with 271 total digs and third in digs per set (3.82). Her consistency continues to fuel San Diego's league-leading defensive effort.

Monserez Driving Efficiency: Marlie Monserez ranks fourth in the league with 712 total assists and fifth in assists per set (9.89), while also contributing 222 digs (8th) and 3.08 digs per set (10th). She ranks sixth in hitting percentage (44.5%) and leads the league in hitting efficiency (41.8%).

Loberg's All-Around Impact: Grace Loberg ranks ninth in total points (232) and points per set (3.41), while also sitting 10th in total kills (181) and kills per set (2.83). She has added 211 digs (10th; 3.10 per set), continuing to contribute across all phases.

Grote a Force at the Net: Marin Grote ranks tied for 10th in total blocks with 30, providing a steady presence in the middle and helping anchor the Mojo front row.

Balanced Attack Emerging: San Diego placed four players in double figures in kills in its last match, highlighting a balanced offensive approach to complement its defensive identity.

Tabron Provides Spark: Maya Tabron delivered a major boost off the bench in the win over Omaha, finishing with 18 points and a double-double.

COLUMBUS FURY OUTLOOK

Fury Enter Stretch Run: Columbus heads into the final stretch of the regular season with 10 matches remaining, including six at home, as the team looks to build momentum down the stretch.

Mojo Hold Series Edge: This marks the 11th meeting between the two teams, with San Diego holding a 9-1 advantage in the all-time series, including two wins earlier this season.

Terry Leads the Attack: Raina Terry has been one of the league's top scorers, ranking fourth with 304 total points and 4.41 points per set. She has reached double figures in all but three matches and recorded six double-doubles this season.

Block Party at the Net: Columbus leads Major League Volleyball with 2.74 blocks per set and ranks third with 189 total blocks. The Fury have recorded double-digit blocks in 11 matches, including two matches with a franchise record-tying 17 blocks.

Pittman-Nelson Anchors the Middle: Regan Pittman-Nelson leads the league with 47 total blocks and 0.78 blocks per set, while also contributing offensively with double-digit points in eight matches.

Pak Earns Weekly Honors: Rookie setter Audrey Pak was named MLV Player of the Week after leading Columbus to a sweep of defending champion Orlando, dishing out 28 assists (9.33 per set) and guiding the team to a .363 hitting percentage.

Hiapo Stabilizes Defense: Kamaile Hiapo has stepped into the libero role and is averaging 3.94 digs per set in her starts, including a franchise-record 27 digs in a win over Orlando.

All-Star Talent on Display: The Fury were represented by Raina Terry, Abby Walker and Regan Pittman-Nelson at the 2026 MLV All-Star Match, with Terry and Walker earning a win as part of Team Meske.

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Major League Volleyball Stories from April 3, 2026


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