Nebraska has long been a powerhouse in the world of volleyball, from record-breaking college crowds to a deep-rooted passion for the sport at all levels. Now, the Cornhusker State is cementing itself as the epicenter of professional volleyball’s rapid expansion.
With the Omaha Supernovas entering their second season and Leave One Volleyball (LOVB) Omaha playing their inaugural season, the sport is finding Nebraska a suitable home for professional play. From sold-out arenas to major signings, Nebraska isn’t just embracing professional volleyball, it’s driving its growth, setting the stage for the sport’s next big era in the United States.
“The growth is super exciting for our sport,” Supernovas Head Coach Laura ‘Bird’ Kuhn said. “More opportunities mean more people investing and believing in volleyball. The sport is obviously on the rise, and Nebraska is at the center of it.”
The Supernovas have already made their mark in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). They won the league’s first championship in 2024 and are hoping for another one this spring, although they sit at fifth in the league with a 4-3 record. Come next year, the Supernovas will leave the PVF and serve as a founding franchise in a new pro volleyball league, Major League Volleyball (MLV), which hopes to include franchises from states like California, Kansas, Kentucky and Ohio.
The Supernovas exemplify the sport’s new popularity, hosting eight of the top 10 most attended professional volleyball matches in U.S. history, with their record being 13,486, broken on Jan. 10 of this year, and the average game bringing about 11,000 fans to CHI Health Center, which is the highest average match attendance in the world.
As the team looks to defend its position in the league, the focus remains on execution and staying in attack mode.
“We know this league is very competitive,” Kuhn said. “Every game is a battle, and we have to stay disciplined and clean in our play.”
Serving has been a key point of emphasis for the Supernovas, setting the tone for their aggressive style of play. “Our serving was one of the biggest strengths in our last match,” Supernovas outside hitter Reagan Cooper said. “At this level, serving pressure makes all the difference.”
LOVB Omaha, second in the LOVB (League One Volleyball) league at 3-2, is getting a feel for what pro volleyball looks like in Omaha. They play at the Liberty First Credit Union Arena in Ralston. Their home opener saw nearly 3,500 people turn out, including many members of the Nebraska Cornhusker volleyball team.
“It’s a dream come true for my family to be here and to experience this,” LOVB Omaha outside hitter and former Nebraska Assistant Coach Jordan Larson told League One News on Jan. 24.
Beyond the teams’ immediate goals, the rapid expansion of professional volleyball sends a message to young athletes across the country. As of next year, there will be four professional volleyball leagues, with LOVB, PVF, and MLV being the team-based leagues, and Athletes Unlimited being the individual athlete-based league. With more professional opportunities emerging, the next generation of players no longer has to look overseas to continue their careers.
“When you see young players lining up for autographs, they’re excited because they now have professional volleyball players right here in the U.S. to look up to,” Kuhn said. “This growth is giving them hope and showing them that there’s a real future for them in this sport.”
That connection between the pros and the next generation is especially meaningful in a state with so much history surrounding volleyball. According to USA Volleyball’s club directory, there are more than 60 clubs in the state serving youth. Players and coaches of the pro teams alike recognize the importance of inspiring these young players to pursue their dreams in volleyball and beyond.
“The growth has allowed girls at my club to dream bigger and really believe they have a future, and that is so powerful to me,” said Deb Grafentin, director of River City Juniors, a club volleyball program in the Omaha area.
“We always want to play for that little girl who dreams of being on this court,” Supernovas setter Natalia Valentin-Anderson said. “It’s about being role models and showing them what’s possible.”
Central volleyball player Renita Krajicek believes pro volleyball is perfect for Nebraska. For players like her, these teams don’t just provide entertainment but future opportunities.
“I love watching those girls swing at the ball, they’re so good,” Krajicek remarked.
