Supernovas Clinch Playoff Spot Behind Record 21 Blocks
MLV Omaha Supernovas

Supernovas Clinch Playoff Spot Behind Record 21 Blocks

Published on April 25, 2026 under Major League Volleyball (MLV)
Omaha Supernovas News Release


Omaha Supernovas on game night
Omaha Supernovas on game night
(Omaha Supernovas)

OMAHA, Neb. - A record-setting block party sent the Omaha Supernovas back to the postseason.

The Supernovas (14-13) rode a franchise-best 21 blocks to a 25-21, 23-25, 25-18, 25-20 victory over the Columbus Fury (5-20) on Friday night on Kiewit Court at the CHI Health Center in front of 11,035 fans, clinching their third straight playoff appearance.

With a third consecutive win, the Novas' blocking total marked a new MLV season high, resulting in Omaha holding the Fury to an opponent season-low .099 hitting percentage.

"I mean, what a relief. To be thrown into this position was a lot of pressure, but we wanted it so bad for the players," interim head coach Thomas Robson said. "Coming to my first presser and then dropping the first match and then the second match, but not for one second did this team question the trajectory we were on. They trusted each other, they trusted the training, and that showed tonight."

Outside hitter Sarah Parsons continued her dominant play against Columbus, posting a season-high 26 points on 21 kills, four blocks, one ace and nine digs while hitting a Supernovas career-best .452.

Brooke Nuneviller added 11 points on nine kills and two blocks. Opposite Emily Londot played a key role in closing out the Fury by producing 10 points in relief, totaling seven kills, three blocks and eight digs after entering for Merritt Beason (five points).

Janice Leao anchored the block with five stuffs to tie for match-high honors, adding four kills and two digs. Off the bench, Toyosi Onabanjo contributed three kills on seven swings and three blocks in two sets. Kiara Reinhardt, who started the match, recorded two kills and one block.

Rookie setter Brooke Mosher dished out 43 assists while adding 10 digs, three kills, two blocks and one ace. Libero Elena Oglivie totaled 20 digs and six assists.

The Supernovas will make their third straight playoff appearance in the MLV semifinals on Thursday, May 7, at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas. The Supernovas cannot finish higher than No. 3, which means Omaha is set to face either the Indy Ignite (20-5) or host Dallas Pulse (19-7).

The Novas will wrap up the regular season at the championship site against the Pulse next Friday, May 1, at 7 p.m. CDT. The match will be streamed live on Victory+ and can also be heard on the Supernovas Radio Network, led by flagship station KCRO 660 AM.

Key Notes

The Supernovas are the lone remaining franchise from the original seven MLV teams to qualify for the playoffs in all three seasons.

Omaha's three postseason appearances are the most in league history.

Libero Allison Holder was the recipient of the inaugural Diane Mendenhall Community & Culture Award, created in honor of Mendenhall's final season as Supernovas Team President.

Voted on by the Supernovas front office and coaching staff, the award is presented to the Supernova who sets the standard for what it means to present the organization through leadership in the locker room, commitment to teammates, and meaningful impact in the community.

Friday's 21 blocks surpassed the previous franchise record of 20, set against the San Diego Mojo in the 2024 MLV semifinals when the Novas completed the first reverse sweep in franchise history.

The Supernovas also set a single-set franchise record with eight blocks in the third set. They previously recorded seven in last weekend's sweep of Atlanta.

In total, the Supernovas have recorded 48 blocks over the last three matches, averaging 4.8 per set.

Omaha's crowd of 11,035 marked the 17th-largest in U.S. pro volleyball history.

Friday marked the franchise's 22nd all-time crowd of 10,000 or more, and the Supernovas now own all of the top 21 U.S. pro volleyball attendance marks.

Sarah Parsons dominated Columbus across all four matches in 2026, totaling 87 points (5.8 per set) on 73 kills (4.87 per set), 41 digs (2.73 per set), 12 blocks, two aces and a .343 hitting percentage.

Elena Oglivie recorded her sixth 20-plus dig performance of the season and her fifth since joining the Supernovas.

The Novas improved to 10-2 all-time against the Fury, which is tied with Grand Rapids for the most wins by Omaha against any MLV opponent.

...

Columbus opened strong in the first set, using a 5-0 run after an early tie to seize momentum. Raina Terry fueled the surge with two kills and an ace, while Megan Lush added a block. Parsons answered for Omaha, scoring four straight points, including two blocks, and Beason added a rejection to help the Novas even the score at 12.

Omaha began to take control late in the set as Mosher mixed in a block and a kill to put the Novas ahead at the media timeout. A Parsons side-out and a Columbus error extended the lead to 18-16, and the Novas held the Fury at arm's length from there. Leao finished the set with a block, giving Omaha a 25-21 win and six blocks in the frame.

The Fury responded in the second, jumping out to a 6-2 lead behind Regan Pittman-Nelson's presence at the net with two blocks and a kill. Omaha chipped away behind Parsons' offense, tying the set at nine, but Columbus regained control with a 3-0 run to build a 15-11 advantage

Beason sparked a response from the service line with an ace, and Nuneviller and Leao followed to give Omaha a 16-15 lead at the media timeout. The teams traded points late, with Abby Walker tying the set at 18 before Columbus surged ahead. Parsons gave Omaha a brief 22-21 edge with an ace, but the Fury closed with three straight points. After Parsons extended the set, a review confirmed a touch on a Pittman-Nelson swing to give Columbus the 25-23 win.

Omaha flipped the script in the third, jumping out to a 6-3 lead behind a pair of Nuneviller kills. Columbus answered with a 4-0 run, but the Novas responded as Leao kept the set level and Londot ignited the block with back-to-back stuffs.

That sequence sparked a decisive run as Londot added another block and a kill, pushing Omaha ahead 16-12 at the media timeout. The Novas continued to apply pressure after the break, using another 4-0 run to pull away. Leao capped the 25-18 win with her second set-ending block of the night.

Columbus again started fast in the fourth, building a 5-1 lead behind Pittman-Nelson and an Ashley Evans block. Omaha answered with a 4-0 run to take a 9-8 lead, then leaned on its block to create separation. Three straight stuffs, including two from Leao, pushed the Novas ahead 14-9.

The Fury battled back and trimmed the deficit to 19-18 on a Lush kill, but Omaha responded immediately. Londot sided out, and Mosher dropped in an ace to extend the lead to 22-19. Parsons and Londot followed with back-to-back kills to reach match point, and after a Columbus point, Parsons delivered her 21st kill to seal the 25-20 set win and 3-1 victory.

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Omaha Supernovas on game night
Omaha Supernovas on game night
   



Major League Volleyball Stories from April 25, 2026


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