OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Supernovas, Nebraska’s professional volleyball team in the newly-established Professional Volleyball Federation, has announced the hiring of Thomas Robson to the Supernovas’ coaching staff as Technical Coordinator while Becca Himes joins the franchise as its new certified Athletic Trainer on the Human Performance Team.
Robinson and Himes join the coaching staff in advance of Training Camp, which officially kicks off this week, leading up to the first match on January 24, 2024, at the CHI Health Center.
Robson comes to Omaha after a long tenure with the Viterbo University women’s volleyball team. Robson was a student assistant coach for the V-Hawks in 2019 before moving up to an assistant coach role for the next two seasons. Viterbo recorded an 89-18 record over those three seasons, advancing to one NAIA national semifinal and two quarterfinal appearances. That also included two North Star Athletic Association regular-season championships and three tournament titles. Additionally, he helped develop nine All-Americans and three regional players of the year.
“I am extremely excited to be joining the Supernovas staff for the inaugural Pro Volleyball Federation season,” Robson said. “The support that the state of Nebraska has for women’s volleyball is incredible, and I am very grateful to be a part of something special.”
Robson joined the University of Wisconsin volleyball team in 2022 as its volunteer assistant aiding the Badgers to a 28-4 record and their fourth-straight Big Ten title. Wisconsin reached the regional final in the NCAA Tournament that season, losing to Pittsburgh in five sets.
Robson rejoined the V-Hawks coaching staff prior to the 2023 season as he helped Viterbo reach another NAIA national semifinal appearance where they would lose to eventual national runner-up Northwestern University (Iowa) in four sets.
Robson was also a student during his time coaching at Viterbo attending the university from 2018-2021 while also playing on the men’s volleyball team. The Middleton, Wisconsin native was a two-time conference Libero of the Year for Viterbo.
Becca Himes joins the Supernovas after a five-year stint at Texas A&M serving as the Athletic Trainer for the Aggies volleyball program. Himes is remarkably familiar with some of the coaching staff for Omaha as most of her time in College Station overlapped with the tenure of Supernovas assistant coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn who was the head coach for Texas A&M from 2018 through 2022.
A native of Ijamsville, Maryland, Himes received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Salisbury University in 2015. Her career began in Texas where she served as an intern athletic trainer with Rice University’s baseball team. Following that season, Himes completed her sports medicine residency with Houston Methodist from 2015-2016 while also providing outreach services to Tomball High School.
Himes later earned her Master’s of Science from Texas A&M in 2018 and was the athletic trainer for the Aggies’ tennis program. She was soon hired by James Madison University as she moved to Virginia to become the athletic trainer for the Dukes’ volleyball program. After one season, Himes returned to Texas A&M.
Himes has additional certifications that include movement analysis and joint mobilization techniques, dry needling and blood flow restriction.
“To be associated with the launch of this league and organization is truly special and exciting,” Himes said. “Nebraska is home to the most passionate and electric volleyball fans in the country, and it is an honor to be involved with these athletes who are inspiring so many young girls and boys.”
REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL competition will officially begin in the United States with the Omaha Supernovas hosting the Atlanta Vibe in the first match in league history at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha on January 24, at 7:00 p.m. CT. Nebraska supports volleyball better than anyone, as evidenced by the more than 92,000 fans that turned out this season for a collegiate match at the Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in August, setting a new world record for the highest-attended women’s sporting event.
The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas, Atlanta Vibe, Orlando Valkyries, Columbus Fury, Grand Rapids Rise, San Diego Mojo, and Vegas Thrill. Three expansion teams, Dallas Pro Volleyball, Kansas City Pro Volleyball and Indianapolis Pro Volleyball have been announced for 2025. The Supernovas will have 12 home and 12 away matches as part of a 24-match schedule across a 16-week regular season.
After the regular season concludes, the Supernovas are aiming to be one of the top four squads in the standings that will compete for the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship in May. The location of the championship will be determined and announced at a later date.
ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS
The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world-class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world-class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.