SAINT PAUL, Minn. — MLV Minnesota General Manager and Head Coach Pedro Mendes today announced the team has signed outside hitter Payton Caffrey to a contract, beginning with the 2027 season.
Caffrey, 27, recently completed her second season with Dentil/Praia Clube of Brazil’s Women’s Volleyball Superliga — one of the premier leagues in the world — where she helped the club win the league championship. She led Dentil/Praia Clube in scoring and finished tied for sixth in the league overall. Caffrey has also found success across multiple international leagues, including a standout 2022 season in Puerto Rico, where she earned Best Scorer, Best Server, Best Outside Hitter, and League MVP honors.
“Above all, Payton is a winner. She has had success everywhere she has been, and she brings outstanding on-court leadership skills,” Mendes said. “She is a fearless competitor, and that mentality spreads to her teammates and elevates their play. After watching Payton compete in Brazil over the last two seasons and lead her team to several titles, three words come to mind: determination, resilience, and competitiveness. Those are championship qualities, and they align perfectly with the culture we are building in Minnesota. We’re beyond excited to welcome Payton to our team.”
The six-foot outside hitter had a decorated indoor collegiate volleyball career. At West Virginia (2016-17), she was named the AVCA Midwest Region Freshman of the Year and earned All-Big 12 first team honors. At Florida State (2018-19), she earned ACC Player of the Year and East Region Player of the Year honors and was an AVCA Honorable Mention All-America selection in 2018.
“I am thrilled to take what I have learned playing internationally and bring it to MLV Minnesota,” Caffrey said. “Starting a new franchise is a unique and exciting opportunity, and I’m eager to get on the court with my new teammates. The roster that has been assembled by Pedro Mendes is one that I believe will have success.”
A native of Chuluota, Fla., Caffrey was a four-year letterwinner at Winter Springs High School, where she set the area record for career kills as a four-year starter and won a Class A state championship during her senior year.
MLV Minnesota will begin league play in January 2027. To place a season ticket deposit for MLV Minnesota and for more information on the team, please visit MLVMinnesota.com and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.