Another week of PVF play has concluded, and once again, the top team from last week's power rankings has fallen. Am I responsible for the league's parity? Well.
It was a bit of a subdued week, with matches only on Saturday and Monday night (which, by the way, the late-night Monday games are the worst).
Player of the Week: Shelly Fanning - Atlanta
It is time for some middle love. Fanning was Atlanta’s joint top scorer in their win against the Thrill, finishing with 17 points. It was Fanning’s best offensive output of the season as she had 13 kills, hitting .500. She also landed two aces and two blocks for her best match of the season and the most efficient hitter across the league in Week 7.
Honorable Mention: Leah Edmond, Brooke Nuneviller, Alisha Glass, Allison Mayfield, Ronika Stone
Rookie of the Week: Magda Jehlarova - Atlanta
Back again? Jehlarova picks up Rookie of the Week honors for the second week in a row after leading the league in blocks/set this past week and finishing with a match-high seven blocks against the Thrill. Jehlarova joined Fanning (and Leah Edmond) as top scorers as she also had eight kills and two aces.
Honorable Mention: Jill Gillen, Georgia Murphy, Temi Thomas-Ailara, Kylie Murr
Power Rankings
Omaha Supernovas
Omaha moves up to the top spot after going on the road and taking down Orlando in five sets. Brooke Nuneviller (20 kills, .313) has been as advertised, if not more, for the Supernovas. Allison Mayfield has been a revelation as a super-sub (12 kills, .357), as the Supernovas possess probably the deepest bench in the league. A big week looms for the Supernovas next week after they finally return home to the CHI Center to face Atlanta and Orlando (for the 4th time already??).
Atlanta Vibe
The Vibe are feeling it now, well, for the most part. Magda Jehlarova has been a huge addition to their middle blocker corps, both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. Jehlarova+Fanning is a powerful 1-2 punch in the middle. Leah Edmond (15 kills) and Anna Lazareva (12 kills) remained as dual threats against the Thrill in their only match of the week. It is said almost every week, but consistent setting and better floor defense will be the keys for the Vibe.
Grand Rapids Rise
Are the Rise back? Well, they didn’t have to play San Diego this week, so maybe! Consistency still plagues the Rise, but Claire Chaussee (17 kills) and Emiliya Dimitrova (14 kills, 3 blocks) on the wings help negate that. The Rise were finally on the right side of a close set this season, clipping the Fury 25-23 in the fourth set to end the match. But it may have come at a cost, as another middle has gone down for the Rise after Alyssa Jensen left the match with an injury (with Kayla Caffey and Nia Grant already on the sideline). Welcome to the pros, Sydney Bolding!
Orlando Valkyries
The Valkyries love a long match. They have yet to be swept but also have not swept any of their opponents. Their two-week seven matches featured two five-setters, which they split. Inconsistencies plagued the Valkyries against Omaha, letting the Supernovas go on too many long runs, key in a 6-15 fifth set. Jill Gillen’s performance (20 kills, .360) was overshadowed. It plagued them against San Diego, but Adora Anae (23 kills) came through to power Orlando to a win in five sets. The Valkyries can compete with anyone in the league at their best.
Vegas Thrill
The Thrill are mitigating Molly McCage's injury better than probably expected. They did fall to Atlanta, but the match was competitive after set one, and Vegas will regret not being able to take the third set. Vegas went to Columbus and took down one of the hottest teams in the league on their home court. Hannah Maddux (14 kills, .333) was a game-changer off the bench. Berkeley Oblad had her best match of the season (13 kills, .500, 2 blocks), as the Vegas defense stymied everything the Fury sent at them. It is 2024, but Alisha Glass is still out here showing everyone who the boss is.
Columbus Fury
The #1 curse strikes again. The Fury escaped it last week, but they were not able to avoid it after falling twice in Week 7. Injuries to Asjia O’Neal and Sam Drechsel have impacted the Fury, and their performances this past week looked stagnant. The offense slumped, and the Reagan Cooper magic was not there to save them. The Fury pins have not been able to pick up the slack. Megan Courtney and Ashley Wenz both struggled against Vegas, as neither hit above .000. Passing and setting (especially setting choices from Ray Santos) were the difference this week. The Fury will need to regroup in their push towards the playoffs.
San Diego Mojo
The good news is the Mojo are not the pushover that may have been predicted after their first matches of the season. The bad news is the Mojo are not converting some of these opportunities into wins. The Mojo had some luck on their side against Orlando but fell just short in a fifth set (15-12). Ronika Stone (15 kills, 3 blocks) is showing to be one of the best middles in the league, a Nootsara Tomkom special. Temi Thomas-Ailara and Lindsey Vander Weide have been very good since claiming their roles. The last outside hitter, whether it be Grace Loberg or Valeria Papa, will be the key to the Mojo.