Welcome to Major League Volleyball 2026: where the drama is real and the stakes are higher than a sky-high set. Orlando Valkyries are back to defend their crown. With a roster stacked like a Jenga tower on game night, they're ready to eat and leave no crumbs.
Valkyries: Built for a Dynasty
The Orlando Valkyries are riding high on their 2025 championship wave. Last year, they flipped the script with an 18-10 record, snagging the title from the Indy Ignite in four sets (25–21, 25–19, 19–25, 25–15), thanks to the beast mode performance of Brittany Abercrombie. She put up 31 points in that final match and led the league with 503 points, 462 kills, and 4.75 points per set.
Abercrombie's back, and she's not alone. Championship MVP setter Pornpun Guedpard returns after dropping 1,082 assists last season (third-best in league history). Add middle blocker Kazmiere Brown and some fresh college talent like Bre Kelley and Colby Neal, and you've got a team that’s not just defending the title—it's gunning for a dynasty.
Supernovas' Revenge Tour?
The Omaha Supernovas, the original queens of the Pro Volleyball Federation, are coming in hot after a gut-wrenching semifinal loss last year (17–25, 25–23, 25–23, 20–25, 13–15) to the Ignite. But they're not licking their wounds. Oh no, they're plotting a comeback.
Sydney Hilley rejoined the Supernovas after leading the league in assists (11.30 per set) and digs (2.73 per set) with the Ignite. Brooke Nuneviller, who finished top five in kills (381) and total points (413), is back too. These two are the dynamic duo with unfinished business.
New Year, New Arena Vibes
This season kicks off with eight teams: Atlanta Vibe, Columbus Fury, Dallas Pulse, Grand Rapids Rise, Indy Ignite, Omaha Supernovas, Orlando Valkyries, and San Diego Mojo. The Vegas Thrill might be out, but the league's expansion plans for 2027 are already in motion with new teams in Washington D.C. and Northern California.
The merger with the Pro Volleyball Federation was like a blockbuster sequel, bringing the Omaha Supernovas into the MLV fold without the drama of a breakup. As Vivek Ranadivé and the D.C. United ownership group plan for new franchises, this league is flexing hard.
So strap in, volleyball fans. 2026 is going to be straight-up bonkers. Will the Valkyries cement their legacy, or will the Supernovas reclaim their throne? Bet your last dollar—it’s gonna be a wild ride.
Source: Pro Volleyball Federation
