OMAHA, Neb. – The inaugural season for the San Diego Mojo came to a close in the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship semifinals, falling in five sets to the Omaha Supernovas, 20-25, 16-25, 25-18, 25-8, 15-11, at the CHI Health Center on Thursday.
San Diego opened the season with a 1-5 record and at the bottom of the league standings, then won 12 of their last 18 matches overall to climb to third place and earn a spot in the PVF Championship.
Temi Thomas-Ailara led the scoring effort for the Mojo, collecting 15 points on 11 kills, three blocks and one service ace. Lindsey Vander Weide posted a double-double with 11 kills and 14 digs, while Nootsara Tomkom registered a double-double as well, dishing out 39 assists with 18 digs.
Omaha picked up the first point of the match, but San Diego quickly responded with four-straight points to take the early three-point lead. The Novas collected the next two points before the Mojo answered with back-to-back kills from Ali Bastianelli and Ronika Stone then Vander Weide made it a 7-3 match with a kill along the back line. Omaha slowly chipped away the San Diego lead, scoring eight of the next 15 points to move ahead, 13-12. After trading points, the Mojo put together a four-point run to regain the three-point advantage, 17-14. Omaha tallied the next two scores to pull within one point before the Mojo once again responded, collecting the next four points to go ahead 21-16. The sides traded the next nine points as the Mojo closed out the first frame with another Vander Weide kill along the back line to win it, 25-20.
The Mojo kept rolling in set two, opening with a smash from Bastianelli then back-to-back kills by Vander Weide and another slam by Bastianelli. A service ace from Thomas-Ailara put San Diego up 5-0 and forced an Omaha time out. A Nova attacking error pushed the Mojo lead to six before Omaha earned their first point of the set to make it 6-1. After trading the next three points, the Novas tallied back-to-back kills to cut the lead to 8-4. Swings by Stone and Thomas-Ailara had the Mojo back up by six, 10-4. Omaha rallied to cut the deficit to three, 14-11, but were not able to pull any closer. San Diego took control of the set from there, collecting nine of the next 10 points to open a commanding 23-12 lead. A four-point run for Omaha drew the Novas back to within single digits before a Morgan Lewis kill put San Diego at set point and a Bastianelli swing gave the Mojo the set, 25-16.
Omaha started set three on fire, opening the frame with a 4-1 lead. San Diego scored back-to-back points to cut the deficit to 4-3, but the Novas reeled off four-straight points to move ahead 8-3, leading to a Mojo time out. Willow Johnson scored to end the Nova run and kick off a three-point swing for San Diego. Omaha responded with a 7-3 run to open a 15-9 lead. The Mojo scored the next two points to move within four of the Novas, but would get no closer, as Omaha cruised the rest of the way, winning the set, 25-18.
The Supernovas dominated set four, picking up where they left off in the previous frame to take an early 6-1 lead and cruising to a 25-8 win to force a fifth and deciding set.
Valeria Papa got the scoring started for San Diego in set five, then the Mojo picked up a point on a Nova attacking error before a three-point run for Omaha put the Novas ahead, 3-2. After trading the next two points, Papa and Vander Weide scored to put San Diego back in front, 5-4. Omaha scored four of the next five to regain the lead, 8-6, and the Mojo bounced back to tie the set, 9-9. Three-straight points by Omaha put the Novas in front 12-9 before closing out the match scoring three of the final five to win, 15-11.
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 SAN DIEGO MOJO
The San Diego Mojo are a women’s professional volleyball team in San Diego, Calif. and is an inaugural member of Pro Volleyball Federation, the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. The Mojo play their home matches at Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University.