OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Supernovas, Nebraska’s professional volleyball team and first Pro Volleyball Champions, are excited to announce the signing of former Pittsburgh Panther and rookie outside hitter Valeria Vazquez Gomez.
The Manati, Puerto Rico native enjoyed a historic six-year career at Pitt, lifting the Panthers to new heights with four consecutive NCAA National Semifinal appearances, including the latest in 2024. Vazquez Gomez played a vital part in all four of those deep runs, highlighted by her AVCA Second Team All-American honor in 2022. She was a three-time All-ACC honoree, being named to the first team in 2022 and the second team in both 2023 and 2024.
She posted 2.05 kills and 1.93 digs per set with 31 blocks and a career-high 41 aces in her final season. Her career totals stand at 1,311 points (2.57 P/S), 1,097 kills (2.11 K/S), 1,031 digs (1.99 D/S), 154 blocks and 131 aces.
Vazquez Gomez becomes the final rookie to sign with Omaha, completing the Supernovas’ draft class. She joins an elite group of first-year professionals who will compete in the team’s Training Camp for a spot on the active roster. The Supernovas will kick off the 2025 season with their home opener on Friday, Jan. 10, against the rival Atlanta Vibe, led by former Nebraska opposite and PVF Draft No. 1 overall pick Merritt Beason. The Vibe’s head coach, Kayla Banworth, is also a former Nebraska player and coach who became an Olympian in the Huskers’ storied pipeline, earning a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
The complete draft class features some of the nation’s top collegiate volleyball players, including connections to programs within Nebraska. Former Nebraska standouts Lindsay Krause and Ally Batenhorst—who played her final season at USC—join AVCA First-Team All-American setter Kendra Wait from Creighton as part of the class.
Kansas middle blocker Toyosi Onabanjo, the Supernovas’ first-round pick, enters the professional ranks after averaging 2.58 kills per set on a .409 hitting percentage and totaling 123 blocks during her final collegiate season. Opposite Emily Londot, selected in the second round, had a prolific career at Ohio State, amassing 2,606.5 career points and earning three All-American honors.
Rounding out the class is middle blocker Phoebe Awoleye, who joined the Supernovas as an undrafted free agent. The former Minnesota standout was recognized as one of the nation’s top defensive middles, tallying 644 career blocks over five seasons, including a career-best 173 with the Golden Gophers in 2024.
For more information on each draft pick, visit the Supernovas Draft Tracker.
With another star-loaded roster full of local talent and more opportunities to see the Supernovas, fans can buy the world’s hottest ticket in professional volleyball. Buy your 2025 season tickets today by clicking this link or purchase single-match tickets here.
New for 2025 is a totally customizable, half-season ticket package. Choose any seven of the team’s 14 home matches and even select different seats for each game, with prices starting as low as $14 per match. Customize your Supernovas experience today by visiting this link.
Check out the Supernovas full 2025 schedule.
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To celebrate being the inaugural PVF champions, fans will be able to see the Supernovas and championship trophy as part of the official Championship Trophy Tour. Please click this link to see where the Supernovas are this fall!
ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS
The Omaha Supernovas are the premier home of professional volleyball, boasting the No. 1 Pro Volleyball average attendance in the world. The Supernovas 2025 season will begin in January. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneur Danny White, Co-Founder of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is the leading professional volleyball league in the United States. PVF sets the standard for the sport, offering the largest number of franchises, unmatched attendance, extensive broadcast coverage and substantial championship prize money. It combines top-tier talent, including NCAA stars and international athletes, with cutting-edge production and technology to provide fans with an unmatched viewing experience. As a vital link between collegiate volleyball and the professional stage, PVF is dedicated to shaping the future of the sport and increasing visibility for its athletes. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.