The Atlanta Vibe haven’t performed since Might 2, however don’t fear about libero Morgan Hentz being rusty.
No, whereas her crew was again residence making ready for the Professional Volleyball Federation Championship that begins Wednesday, Hentz was within the USA national-team health club in Anaheim.
“I had this good alternative to come back out right here and fortunately the USA employees has been versatile with me being a part of PVF and permitting me to do each,” Hentz stated final week.
The schedule for the fledgling league included 24 matches for every crew, however the begin and end was not even. Atlanta, for instance, performed extra matches early than most. San Diego, which began a lot later, had three matches final week whereas the Vibe had been hanging out.
Atlanta is the No. 1 seed after ending 19-5, three full video games forward of the second-seeded Omaha Supernovas (16-8).
Atlanta performs the fourth-seeded Grand Rapids Rise (12-12) at 6 p.m. Central within the first semifinal Wednesday in Omaha’s CHI Well being Middle. They break up their 4 matches this season.
Within the second semi, Omaha performs San Diego (13-11). In addition they break up their 4 matches.
Each matches will likely be proven on the CBS Sports activities Community with Paul Sunderland and Holly McPeak on the decision.
The inaugural championship match is Saturday and the successful franchise will get a $1 million prize that will likely be break up up among the many gamers and crew employees.
ATLANTA VS. GRAND RAPIDS: The Vibe received 10 of their final 11 matches earlier than starting their prolonged break.
Outdoors hitter Leah Edmond is second within the league with 381 kills. Hentz leads the PVF with 373 digs.
The Vibe has three gamers within the high 5 in hitting share. Magdalena Jehlářová is second at .459, Anna Lazareva is fourth at .426 and Shelly Fanning is fifth at .414.
Rise outdoors Claire Chaussee leads the PVF in kills with 395 and teammate Emilya Dimitrova is third with 371. Grand Rapids received its final two matches to finish a three-match skid.
OMAHA VS. SAN DIEGO: Omaha could have an enormous home-court benefit as a result of the Supernovas have attracted essentially the most followers within the PVF by far this season. However whereas Omaha is coming a regular-season-ending, five-set loss to Grand Rapids, the Mojo have received three in a row and 12 of 18.
San Diego outdoors Lindsey Vander Weide is the ultimate regular-season participant of the week. She’s the third Mojo participant to win the distinction within the final 5 weeks, preceded by setter Nootsara Tomkom on April 16 and reverse Willow Johnson on April 30.
San Diego received all three of its matches final week to not solely get into the PVF semifinals, however clinch the third seed. Vander Weide totaled 51 kills and hit .490 in these victories, and had 23 digs, a block and an ace.
A HAPPY HENTZ: We featured the previous Stanford libero nearly two years in the past after she performed in Athletes Limitless and was with Crew USA at Volleyball Nations League.
Hentz is absolutely glad to play professional volleyball in America.
“For me it’s been an actual pleasure and the factor that stunned me essentially the most is the fan assist and the best way that we’ve gotten details about the league on the market,” Hentz stated. “It’s been actually thrilling and there’s been numerous parity within the league. It appears like everybody’s overwhelmed everybody sooner or later, which is absolutely neat as a result of groups got here on board at completely different occasions.”
Hentz received in an amazing quantity of labor in Anaheim, however, after all, didn’t make the 14-player USA roster that headed to Brazil for the primary leg of Volleyball Nations League. She’ll rejoin the USA crew after this week’s playoffs.
“I’m awfully excited and in addition simply nervous, as a result of that is historical past within the making,” Hentz stated. “And also you all the time need to be on the precise aspect of historical past.
“The overwhelming feeling is only one of gratitude, to have the ability to keep right here within the U.S. and compete in entrance of household and buddies and alongside different Individuals. It’s been actually cool to be part of.”
