Dropping five of their last six matches, the Valkyries will return home for a two-match homestand, starting with facing the Grand Rapids Rise on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. ET. The last time these two teams met was on February 15, when Orlando won in three sets at home. On the year, the season series is tied at 1-1.
Key to the Match for Orlando:
Limit the Blocks: Over the past six matches, Orlando has been out blocked 52 to 69, a big reason why the offensive numbers haven’t been there as of late. Finding and exploiting open areas will be a key point of emphasis against a Grand Rapids team that leads the league with 252 blocks and 3.07 blocks per set.
Valkyries Players to Watch:
Kaz Brown (Middle Blocker): Going up against a dynamic blocking team in Grand Rapids, look for Brown to bring the energy throughout the entire match. In six career matches against the Rise, Brown has recorded 20 blocks.
Brittany Abercrombie (Opposite Hitter): Abercrombie has recorded 17 kills in back-to-back matches to improve her lead with 352 kills this season. With her ability to provide such a presence offensively, and pass the ball at a high rate, look for Abercrombie to continue building on her impressive season against the Rise on Thursday night.
By the numbers: Orlando has a 1-4 record in five set matches this season.
Rise Players to Watch:
Paige Briggs-Romine (Outside Hitter): Briggs-Romine has recorded double digit kills in nine of the 20 matches on the year, including the last four where she’s averaging a double-double.
Ali Bastianelli (Middle Blocker): The leader of the best blocking unit in the PVF has been Ali Bastianelli, who currently ranks second with 59 blocks. Known to be an outstanding blocker, Bastianelli was the first player in Pro Volleyball Federation to record 100 career blocks. She’ll be tasked in helping slow down an Orlando offense that ranks first with a .248 efficiency.
By the numbers: Grand Rapids has a 7-7 record when they tally more than 10 blocks in a match
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.
ABOUT ORLANDO VALKYRIES
The Orlando Valkyries are a 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, enter their second season in the league and will once again play out of Addition Financial Arena, located in the heart of the University of Central Florida campus. Season Tickets are on sale now. For more information on how to get all tickets, 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! *