OMAHA, Neb. — The Omaha Supernovas, the world's leading professional volleyball franchise, will face their toughest tests in the early stages of the 2026 season, hosting a weekend doubleheader against rival Atlanta Vibe on Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. CST, before welcoming the reigning MLV Champion Orlando Valkyries on Sunday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. CST. Sunday’s match will also feature a 5,000 Truckers Hat giveaway.
Both matches will be played on Kiewit Court at the CHI Health Center. News Channel Nebraska will provide statewide television coverage for Friday’s contest, along with a stream on the MLV YouTube channel for out-of-state viewers. Sunday’s match will mark the Supernovas’ first national television appearance of the season, airing exclusively on CBS Sports Network.
Both matches can also be heard on the Supernovas Radio Network, headline by flagship station KCRO 660 AM.
Friday's match sponsor is Hurrdat.
Sunday's match sponsor is the Nebraska Corn Board.
Match Details vs. Atlanta
Matchup: Omaha Supernovas (2-0) vs. Atlanta Vibe (1-1)
When: Friday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m. CST
Where: Kiewit Court at CHI Health Center, Omaha, Neb.
Watch: News Channel Nebraska / MLV YouTube Channel
Listen: Supernovas Radio Network / Supernovas App
Season Series: First of our meetings, one of two at CHI Health Center
All-Time Series: Tied 4-4 (May 4, 2025, last matchup, 3-1 OMA)
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Match Details vs. Orlando
Matchup: Omaha Supernovas (2-0) vs. Orlando Valkyries (2-0)
When: Sunday, Jan. 18, at 3 p.m. CST
Where: Kiewit Court at CHI Health Center, Omaha, Neb.
Watch: CBS Sports Network
Listen: Supernovas Radio Network / Supernovas App
Season Series: First of our meetings, one of two at CHI Health Center
All-Time Series: Omaha leads 6-2 (April 5, 2025, last matchup, 3-1 OMA)
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The Supernovas (2-0) are off to a stellar start to the 2026 season. Collectively, the team is hitting .225 and ended the opening weekend holding opponents to a .169 efficiency, which ranked first in the league. Omaha opened the season with a sweep at home over the San Diego Mojo, followed by a 3-1 road win against the Columbus Fury. In the home opener, the Supernovas held San Diego to a .179 hitting percentage as the defense, led by Team USA libero Morgan Hentz, limited the Mojo to just 35 kills. Against the Fury, Omaha hit .202 while posting 79 total digs and nine blocks, including the match-ending stuff block by Norah (Sis) TeBrake to seal the victory.
Outside hitter Sarah Parsons was recently named the first Player of the Week for the 2026 MLV season. She stood out in both matches, leading the league with 45 points after setting a franchise three-set record with 21 against San Diego and adding a match-high 24 on the road at Columbus. Parsons finished second in MLV in kills with 36 and ranked third in blocks with seven.
The Atlanta Vibe sit at 1-1 after a four-set loss to the Columbus Fury on opening night, but bounced back with a three-set win over the Grand Rapids Rise on Sunday, Jan. 11, at home. The Vibe are led by second-year head coach Kayla Banwarth, 2024 league MVP Leah Edmond and outside hitter Pia Timmer. In the season-opening loss, Edmond led the team with 16 kills. In the sweep of the Rise, she totaled 20 kills, eight digs and two aces. She is also hitting .362 on the season. Timmer re-signed with Atlanta in the offseason and remains an all-around weapon. She recorded nine kills and 11 digs in the opener, then followed with 12 kills and 14 digs while hitting .550 against Grand Rapids.
The Orlando Valkyries are tied with Omaha atop the MLV standings at 2-0. They opened the season with a five-set comeback win over the Rise on Banner Night and most recently defeated San Diego in four sets last Sunday. Orlando is led by head coach Amy Pauly, who has been with the franchise since its inaugural season and owns the third-most wins by a head coach in league history with 30. The Valkyries feature a balanced offense highlighted by 2025 MVP opposite Brittany Abercrombie and 2024 Middle Blocker of the Year Kaz Brown. Against the Mojo, Brown totaled 10 kills and two digs while hitting .430. Offseason acquisition Charitie Luper, formerly of the Vegas Thrill, delivered a breakout performance to open her second professional season. The Louisville product recorded 22 kills on 58 attempts for a .290 hitting efficiency, while also adding 25 digs and an ace.
NUNEVILLER ON PATROL
- A former libero, Brooke Nuneviller's two-way ability as an outside hitter sets her apart from the rest, which was on full display in Omaha's 2-0 opening weekend.
- The reigning Outside Hitter of the was slow offensively in the season-opening sweep of San Diego, totaling only six kills on a .190 hitting percentage, but was passing on rails with a match-high 78% positive pass rate and collecting 16 digs.
- In the next outing at Columbus, Nuneviller opened up offensively, hammering her way to a match-leading 19 kills (.231) and 18 digs in helping the Supernovas to a 3-1 road win
- That left the Oregon product ranked first in digs per set (4.86) and third in total digs (34) after the opening weekend.
MEETING THE MOMENT
- Thrust into a pressure-packed fourth set with Columbus surging, rookie middle blocker Kiara Reinhardt dominated in her professional volleyball debut to help Omaha starve off the Fury.
- Drafted No. 8 overall in the first round of the 2025 MLV Draft, the Creighton graduate went 5-for-7 in her attacks, finishing with a .714 hitting percentage while also adding her first career ace.
NEBRASKA SYD HITS DIFFERENT
- Back with the Supernovas after spending last season in Indy, setter Sydney Hilley is continuing the form that made her the 2025 MLV Setter of the Year.
- The Wisconsin graduate ended the first weekend as the league's leader in both total assists (89) and assists per set (12.71).
- After a slow start, Hilley guided the Omaha offense to a .405 clip in set two and .346 in set three as part of the San Diego sweep, concluding her season opener with 38 assists (12.67 A/S), six digs and two aces.
- She was better in Columbus, dishing out 51 assists (12.75 A/S) alongisde 10 digs, two blocks and two kills, while one ace added to her team-leading three total for the season.
About the Omaha Supernovas
The Omaha Supernovas are the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, competing in Major League Volleyball (MLV). Over the past two seasons, the Supernovas have been No. 1 in the world in professional volleyball attendance, drawing unmatched crowds to the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha. As the driving force in professional volleyball, the Supernovas are redefining success in women’s sports through elite performance, commercial innovation, strategic brand building, and an unwavering commitment to NovasNation and the broader community across Omaha, Nebraska, and beyond.
About Major League Volleyball
Major League Volleyball, entering its third season, is the longest-running formal professional volleyball league for women in the United States. Designed to elevate the sport through world class competition, commercial innovation, and cultural relevance, MLV brings together elite athletes, visionary leadership and global ambition. With alignment to USA Volleyball and a commitment to Olympic development, MLV serves as the premier pathway from professional play to the world stage. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.