The Orlando Valkyries will take on the San Diego Mojo on Monday, April 29 at 10 p.m. The match will take place at Viejas Arena and will be streamed on YouTube.
This will be the third meeting between Orlando (7-13) and San Diego (8-10). The season series is tied at 1-1, with both matches going to five sets.
Valkyries Players to Watch:
Adora Anae led the Valkyries with 18 total points (15 kills and three blocks) in the team’s last match against the Columbus Fury. Anae leads Orlando in points (17.7) and kills (15.3) per match. The outside hitter clinched the Pro Volleyball Federation's Player of the Week title in week 3 of the 2024 season. Anae is a sixth-year pro, with experiences from various countries, including South Korea, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Ukraine and Greece. Prior to her professional career, Anae excelled at the University of Utah, where she earned recognition as the first-ever player named to the 1st-Team Pac-12 All-Freshman Team. She holds the record for the school's all-time single season kills (501) and was the first player in program history to achieve consecutive AVCA All-American honors, as well as being named to the All-AVCA First Team.
Kaz Brown recorded nine total points (four kills, four blocks and an ace) against the Fury. In 20 matches this season, Brown is averaging 12.2 points, 8.6 kills and 3.1 blocks. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker leads the league in blocks with 62. Brown has five years of professional volleyball experience, which included stops in Germany, France, Ukraine and Greece. Brown attended the University of Kentucky, where she was a standout player and earned three-time All-SEC and three-time AVCA All-Region honors. She ended her collegiate career as the Wildcats’ career record holder for total blocks, solo blocks, and block assists. Because of her standout play, Brown was selected to the US Collegiate National Team in 2016-17.
Mojo Players to Watch:
Ronika Stone is a 6-foot-2 middle blocker, who is averaging 10 points, 7.2 kills and 2.2 blocks per match. In San Diego’s last match against the Vegas Thrill, she had 15 total points (nine kills and six blocks). Stone is a member of the US national team and placed second at Pan Am Final 6. Stone, a three-year pro, had an incredible collegiate career at the University of Oregon. She was a three times All-Pac-12 First Team selection and is one of two players in Oregon history to rank in the top 10 in blocks and points — Stone is first in hitting percentage and block assists.
Temi Thomas-Ailara recorded 14 points (11 kills, two blocks and an ace) against the Trill. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter is averaging 16.6 points and 14.8 kills per match. Her season-high in points is 30 and in kills is 27. Thomas-Ailara is a rookie, who was drafted 13th overall in the second round of the Pro Volleyball Federation Draft by the San Diego Mojo. She played her final season of college volleyball for the University of Wisconsin as a graduate transfer. Prior to Wisconsin, Thomas-Ailara played four seasons at Northwestern University, where she was a 2022 AVCA Second Team All-American.
The two teams will face off one more time in the 2024 season.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is the present and future of professional volleyball in North America. The League began play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players joined by elite standouts from around the world. Seven teams have taken the court in the first season, with 10 teams scheduled for the 2025 campaign. Our focus is on ensuring that the level and quality of play, treatment of players and the entire fan experience is world class and the best offered anywhere. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.
ABOUT ORLANDO VALKYRIES
The Orlando Valkyries, proud member team in the Pro Volleyball Federation — the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. The Valkyries, which began play in January 2024, plays out of Addition Financial Arena, located in the heart of the University of Central Florida campus. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on how to get tickets, contact the Orlando Valkyries sales department at (321)-244-4600 Ext. 113, email Tickets@OrlandoValkyries.com, click on OrlandoValkyries.com, visit the Addition Financial Arena box office or go to the Ticketmaster website: Ticketmaster.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook or via X, Instagram and TikTok — @ORLValkyries or visit OrlandoValkyries.com.
* Orlando Valkyries, Pro Volleyball, DIG IT! *