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Omaha Supernovas

Supernovas Battle Mojo in Pro Volleyball Federation Semifinal

May 14, 2024 - Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF)
Omaha Supernovas News Release


OMAHA, NEB. - The Omaha Supernovas (16-8) return home to face off against the streaking San Diego Mojo (13-11) in the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation Championship at the CHI Health Center. First serve is set for 8:30 p.m. CDT.

The Supernovas will make their fourth appearance on CBS Sports Network with Paul Sunderland and Holly McPeak on the call.

The match will also be broadcast live on the Supernovas Radio Network, featuring its flagship station 93.7 The Ticket. The broadcast will also be live on 95.7 The Boss (Omaha), KRVN (Lexington), KOLT (Scottsbluff), and KTIC (West Point). Award-winning broadcaster Derrick Pearson and AVCA High School Coach of the Year Renee Saunders will provide commentary.

Prior to the Supernovas match, the No. 1 seed Atlanta Vibe will take on the No. 4 seed Grand Rapids Rise at 6 p.m. CDT at the CHI Health Center. CBS Sports Network will also televise the match.

Omaha enters the Wednesday semifinal playing some of its best volleyball of the season having won four of its last five matches but ended the regular season with a five-set loss to Grand Rapids on May 12. That includes a franchise-record four-match winning streak with two wins over Columbus and victories against the Vegas Thrill and Grand Rapids Rise.

The Supernovas are the only team in the PVF to not have lost consecutive matches and put that streak on the line against San Diego.

The Mojo are also playing in fine form, winning five of their last six matches to end the regular season including a season-high three-match winning streak. That streak includes two wins over the Fury and a five-set thriller over the Orlando Valkyries.

Wednesday's contest will be the rubber match between the two franchises as they split the season series 2-2 with each team winning both of its home matches. Omaha swept the Mojo for its first win in franchise history on Feb. 3. San Diego returned the favor on April 2, defeating the Supernovas 3-1 at home. Omaha responded with a five-set win on April 20 before losing a five-set thriller to the Mojo in San Diego on April 23.

The Supernovas continue to be the best serving team in the Pro Volleyball Federation. Omaha leads the league with 4.08 aces per match posting 98 aces in 24 contests. That includes outside hitter Bethania de la Cruz who led the league with 32 aces. San Diego enters Wednesday fifth in the PVF with three aces per match as the season total for the Mojo stands at 72 aces in 24 contests. Middle blocker Ronika Stone leads the Mojo with 13 aces on the season which is tied for eighth in the league.

Omaha middle blockers Hristina Vuchkova and Tori Dixon are one of the most lethal middle combos in the league. Vuchkova has a league-high 70 blocks which equates to a PVF leading 3.33 blocks per match average. Dixon isn't too far behind with 62 blocks, but both middle blockers co-own the franchise record with six blocks. That includes Vuchkova who reached that mark twice during the season with both instances coming against San Diego.

De la Cruz will be a major factor for the Supernovas. The Dominican Republic native has found her groove against the Mojo, recording 74 kills on a .323 clip to go with 54 digs, five blocks and four aces in the four regular season matches against San Diego. That also involves a franchise-record 26-kill performance on April 23 in San Diego.

The Mojo counter with the duo of Temi Thomas-Ailara and former Supernova Lindsay Vander Weide. Thomas-Ailara finished fifth in the PVF with 330 total kills and was sixth in kills per set (3.67). The former Northwestern and Wisconsin attacker has done well against Omaha in the past, totaling at least 20 kills in three of the fourth matches against the Supernovas this season. Vander Weide is coming off her best week of the season finishing with 51 kills on a .490 clip, 23 digs, one block and one ace in three contests. She broke the PVF record for most kills in a single match with 30 against Orlando in five sets.

Thailand native Nootsara Tomkom can be credited for some of that success as the Mojo setter finished tied for third in the PVF with 10.59 assists per set. She was also third in total assists with 932 on the season.

The winner will take part in the PVF Championship on Saturday, May 18 at 3:30 p.m. with CBS Sports Network providing television coverage.

Fans can listen to all the action live on the Supernovas Radio Network, featuring its flagship station 93.7 The Ticket. The broadcast will also be live on 95.7 The Boss (Omaha), KRVN (Lexington), KOLT (Scottsbluff), and KTIC (West Point). Award-winning broadcaster Derrick Pearson and AVCA High School Coach of the Year Renee Saunders will provide commentary.

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