OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Supernovas, Nebraska’s professional volleyball team and reigning champions, kicked off their 2025 title defense with a thrilling five-set victory over the Atlanta Vibe (22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13) Friday at CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha.
Record-Breaking Attendance
The Supernovas broke their own U.S. Pro Volleyball attendance record Friday night, with 13,486 fans packing into CHI Health Center, surpassing their previous record of 12,090 set last season. In less than two years, the Supernovas franchise holds the top-eight U.S. Pro Volleyball attendance records, with six of those events drawing at least 11,000 fans.
Standout Performances
The Supernovas’ victory was fueled by 2024 PVF All-League First Team pick Brooke Nuneviller, who led the charge as Player of the Game with an impressive 22 kills and 17 digs, showcasing her dominance on both offense and defense. Middle blocker and former Husker Kaitlyn Hord made Supernovas history by breaking the franchise’s single-match blocking record with seven stuffs. Hord added 10 kills and recorded a .555 hitting percentage.
Libero Camila Gómez, who joined the Supernovas over the offseason from Grand Rapids, added another franchise record in her Omaha debut, tallying a single-match record 31 digs. Puerto Rico Olympian Natalia Valentín-Anderson dished out 48 assists and 17 digs with three kills to start her second season with the Supernovas. Reagan Cooper (8), Kelsie Payne (6), and Ally Batenhorst (6) also contributed offensively in a night where Omaha hit .187 as a team, while limiting the Vibe to a .155 hitting percentage.
Atlanta Vibe Highlights
Former Nebraska first team All-American Merritt Beason led Atlanta with 17 kills and a .347 hitting percentage in her professional debut. Middle blocker and Stanford product McKenna Vicini posted 11 kills on a .435 hitting percentage. Pia Timmer and reigning PVF MVP Leah Edmond each notched 11 kills.
Set-by-Set Recap
Set 1:
Beason made an immediate impact for the Vibe, securing three of the team’s first five points, helping Atlanta to a 5-3 lead. Despite errors from both teams, Atlanta maintained a four-point lead at 18-14. The Supernovas attempted a comeback, but Fanning closed the door, giving Atlanta a 25-22 set win.
Set 2:
The Supernovas started strong, taking an early 5-2 lead. After a tight back-and-forth, Nuneviller’s back-to-back kills shifted momentum, leading to a 25-19 victory for Omaha.
Set 3:
Tied at 10, Atlanta mounted a rally with blocks from Vicini and kills by Edmond, taking a 15-11 advantage. Despite a Supernovas comeback, Vicini’s blocks secured a 25-22 win for Atlanta.
Set 4:
Omaha made a key adjustment, bringing in Batenhorst, leading to a 7-1 start. The Supernovas maintained their momentum to secure a 25-22 win, forcing a decisive fifth set.
Set 5:
Atlanta led early in the fifth set, but Nuneviller’s six kills secured a 15-13 victory for Omaha, sealing a 1-0 start to the season.
Looking Ahead
The Supernovas will take their 2025 season on the road for the first time on Sunday, January 12, to face the Grand Rapids Rise at 5:00 PM CST at Van Andel Arena. This match will be the first-ever Pro Volleyball Federation showdown on FS1, with Paul Sunderland and Holly McPeak on the call.
Catch every match this season on the Supernovas Radio Network, led by its flagship station KCRO 660 AM and supported by its affiliates across five states, including KXCB Bluffs Country 106.5 FM, Boomer Radio 106.7 FM, ESPN Tri Cities, KNCY in Nebraska City, KGMT in Fairbury, and KSID-AM in Sidney.