Story by Supernovas Communications
OMAHA, Neb. - The Omaha Supernovas (8-4) continue their four-match homestand by taking on the Grand Rapids Rise (6-5) for the second time this season at the CHI Health Center Thursday night at 7 p.m. CDT.
News Channel Nebraska will televise the event, with John Baylor doing play-by-play and Olympian Nancy Metcalf providing commentary. The match can be watched on statewide providers like Dish (30 or 35), Allo (181), Spectrum (98, 99, 715 or 1233) and Cox (116). The match will also be viewable on other local cable providers that carry NCN throughout the state.
Also, the match will be streamed online for free on NewsChannelNebraska.com and the free News Channel Nebraska app on Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV.
The match will be broadcast live on the Supernovas Radio Network, featuring its flagship station 93.7 The Ticket. The broadcast will also be live on 95.7 The Boss (Omaha), KRVN (Lexington), KOLT (Scottsbluff), and KTIC (West Point).
Full match notes can be found here.
Thursday’s contest will be a rematch of an epic battle that took place between the Supernovas and Rise in their first match against one another on Feb. 12 in Grand Rapids. Omaha survived its first road test in franchise history, securing a 3-1 victory. Setter Natalia ValentĂn-Anderson was the star of that match, dishing out 50 assists and 19 digs to help Omaha win two extra-point sets en route to the win.
Omaha enters Thursday as the top serving team in the Pro Volleyball Federation. The Supernovas average a league-best 5.08 aces per match, with outside hitter Bethania de la Cruz pacing the league with 23 aces in 12 matches. The Rise have not made too much of an impression from behind the service line this season averaging 3.27 aces per match, which is fifth. They’ve struggled against the serve as well, allowing a league-worst 4.82 aces per match.
The Omaha blocking duo of Hristina Vuchkova and Tori Dixon will also be key. The two middle blockers rank in the top five in total blocks, with Dixon leading the team with 35 stuffs in 12 matches. Vuchkova has been a worthy partner in the middle, recording 29 blocks in nine matches. The Bulgarian took time to find her groove earning 10 blocks in her first five matches. After a slow start, Vuchkova has excelled in recent weeks, posting 19 blocks in her last four matches.
Meanwhile, the Supernovas’ defense will have to be at the top of their game when facing off against the Rise attackers on Thursday. Outside hitter Claire Chaussee and opposite Emiliya Dimitrova are among the league’s top offensive weapons in the league, each with over 200 kills each.
The Rise are backed up by middle blocker Marin Grote, who’s second in the league with 38 blocks heading into Grand Rapids’ Wednesday match against the Atlanta Vibe. Setter Ashley Evans has done an excellent job spearheading the Rise offense, racking up 10.75 assists per set, with her 473 total assists being second in the Pro Volleyball Federation.
Following Thursday’s match, the Supernovas will turn around to face the Vegas Thrill at home on Saturday, March 30 with first serve set for 6 p.m. CDT.
Nebraska Public Media will provide television coverage with fans also being able to listen to all the action on the Supernovas Radio Network led by the flagship station 93.7 The Ticket.