Team Meske Claims MLV All-Star Match as Latina Stars Shine on National Stage

 

The spotlight was on Major League Volleyball’s biggest stars at Addition Financial Arena, where Team Meske defeated Team Launiere, 2-1, in the second annual MLV All-Star Match broadcast nationally on CBS. In front of 5,380 fans, a packed lower bowl crowd that extended into the upper sections, the event delivered not only a competitive match but also another strong sign of the league’s growing national presence. Among the standout storylines of the night was the representation of three Latina players in the All-Star Game: Shara Venegas of the San Diego Mojo, Natalia Valentín of the Dallas Pulse, and Sofia Maldonado Díaz of the Dallas Pulse.

The All-Star Match followed a three-set format, with each set played to 25 points and no win-by-two rule. Team Launiere and Team Meske opened with a tight first set, trading points throughout before Team Launiere escaped with a narrow 25-24 win. Dallas rookie Mimi Colyer led the attack for Team Launiere with six kills in the set, while Paige Briggs-Romine added four. Team Meske answered with a balanced offensive effort, led by Sofia Maldonado Díaz with five kills and Orlando’s Charitie Luper adding four.

Team Meske responded with more control in the second set, settling into rhythm and creating separation late for a 25-19 victory. Luper and Leah Edmond of the Atlanta Vibe each recorded five kills in the frame, while Team Meske’s presence at the net helped swing momentum. Across the first two sets, the team combined for seven blocks, showing stronger defensive discipline as the match progressed.

In the deciding third set, Team Meske carried that momentum forward and closed out the night with a 25-22 win to secure the 2-1 overall victory. While the match was built around entertainment and celebration, the level of play remained sharp throughout, especially considering how little time the players had to train together before taking the court.

Beyond the result, the night held greater significance for the league. As Major League Volleyball moves through the closing stretch of its third season, the success of the All-Star event reflects the continued rise of women’s professional volleyball in the United States. The atmosphere, the television audience, and the quality of play all pointed to a league continuing to build real momentum.

Charitie Luper and Leah Edmond led Team Meske with 10 points each, helping power their side to the comeback victory after dropping the opening set. Sofia Maldonado Díaz also made a strong impact early, helping Team Meske stay close in the first set with an efficient offensive start.

For Team Launiere, Mimi Colyer turned in one of the best individual performances of the night, finishing with a match-high 13 points, along with two blocks and one ace. Her offensive production kept Team Launiere in control early and competitive throughout the match.

One of the most meaningful storylines from the event was the presence of three Latina All-Stars on the court: Shara Venegas, Natalia Valentín, and Sofia Maldonado Díaz. Their selection to the All-Star Match added another layer of pride and representation to a night that celebrated the league’s best talent on a national stage.

Team Meske head coach Dan Meske also praised the setters on both sides for how smoothly they ran the offenses despite limited time together, noting how well they managed tempo and created balance throughout the match.

Score Summary:
Final Score: Team Meske def. Team Launiere, 2-1

Set-by-set:

• Team Launiere 25, Team Meske 24
• Team Meske 25, Team Launiere 19
• Team Meske 25, Team Launiere 22

The 2026 MLV All-Star Match was more than just an exhibition. It served as another statement about the league's growth, the level of talent across its rosters, and the kind of stage women’s professional volleyball is beginning to command. With a sellout crowd, national TV coverage, and strong representation from stars across the league, including Latina standouts Shara Venegas, Natalia Valentín, and Sofia Maldonado Díaz, the event felt like another important step forward for the sport.

El rancho de Bayamón se mudó al Kia Center en Orlando

 

La histórica rivalidad del baloncesto puertorriqueño cruzó fronteras y se hizo sentir con fuerza en Orlando, Florida, donde los Vaqueros de Bayamón derrotaron 69-64 a los Cangrejeros de Santurce en el evento especial “The Rivalry Showdown”, celebrado el domingo 8 de marzo de 2026 en el Kia Center.

El encuentro reunió a fanáticos del baloncesto boricua y a miembros de la diáspora puertorriqueña en una noche cargada de orgullo, cultura y pasión deportiva. Desde antes del salto inicial, el ambiente ya dejaba claro que no era un juego cualquiera: era una cita con una de las rivalidades más grandes del deporte puertorriqueño.

El primer parcial terminó empate, 17-17, en un arranque parejo entre ambos conjuntos. Sin embargo, Bayamón fue encontrando su ritmo y poco a poco comenzó a imponer condiciones. Al finalizar la primera mitad, los Vaqueros se fueron al descanso al frente 35-24, marcando una diferencia importante en ambos lados de la cancha.

Santurce trató de reaccionar en el tercer parcial, pero Bayamón se mantuvo firme y cerró ese segmento con ventaja de 54-45. En el último cuarto, los Cangrejeros presionaron e hicieron el cierre más apretado, pero los campeones supieron manejar el momento para asegurar la victoria final, 69-64.

Más allá del marcador, hubo una sensación bien clara dentro del Kia Center: eso se sentía como el rancho de Bayamón. La fanaticada vaquera se hizo sentir durante toda la noche, con una presencia notable en las gradas y una energía que convirtió el escenario en uno casi local para los campeones del BSN.

Bayamón llegó a Orlando con el peso de su historia, pero también con la confianza que acompaña a un equipo campeón. Y por lo que se vio en cancha y en las gradas, la impresión que dejan es que siguen luciendo como un grupo serio, sólido y con aspiraciones reales de volver a estar en la conversación grande del campeonato.

Tuve la oportunidad de entrevistar al dirigente de los Vaqueros de Bayamón, Christian Dalmau, luego del encuentro, y habló sobre lo especial que fue vivir esta experiencia frente a la comunidad puertorriqueña en Orlando.

“Se siente bien bonito estar aquí con los muchachos de Puerto Rico que están acá, muchos de ellos que no son de acá. Tener la oportunidad de que su familia pueda verlos jugando, de verdad que es algo bien bonito.”

Dalmau también compartió su visión sobre lo que espera para la próxima temporada, dejando claro que el reto será mayor para todos los equipos.

“Nos estamos preparando para una buena temporada también. Este año todos los equipos mejoraron, va a ser bastante difícil, pero eso es parte de lo que pasa aquí: cada año hay que mejorar.”

Cuando se le preguntó sobre favoritos o posibles finales, prefirió mantenerse con cautela.

“No me voy a poner a predecir nada, porque en esta liga cualquier cosa puede pasar.”

Sobre la llegada de los refuerzos, también adelantó que pronto habrá mayor claridad.

“Te aseguro que el 22 de marzo va a estar aclarado.”

Parte del grupo que representó a los Vaqueros de Bayamón en Orlando incluyó a Alex Abreu, Daniel Ortiz, Gary Browne, Isaiah Palermo, Isiah Gaiter, Javier Ezquerra, Javier Mojica, Jordan Cintrón, Khary Mauras, Luis P. Hernández, Renaldo Balkman y Stephen Thompson Jr., bajo la dirección de Christian Dalmau.

Por su parte, Santurce contó con una representación que incluyó a Ángel Matías, Angel Rodriguez, Corey McKeithan, David Huertas, Devon Collier, Emmanuel Maldonado, Isaiah Piñeiro, Jordan Howard, Malik Beasley, Tyler Polo, Walter Hodge y Xavier Zambrana, con Nelson Colón como dirigente.

La noche en Orlando fue mucho más que un simple partido de exhibición. Fue una celebración del baloncesto puertorriqueño, del orgullo de la diáspora y de una rivalidad que sigue despertando emociones dentro y fuera de la isla. Pero si algo quedó claro en el Kia Center, es que cuando Bayamón entra a cancha, su gente responde. Y esta vez, en pleno Orlando, los Vaqueros hicieron sentir que estaban jugando en casa.

Valkyries Unable to Find Rhythm in Home Loss to Dallas Pulse

 

The Orlando Valkyries returned home looking to build on their four-set win over the Columbus Fury, but the Dallas Pulse proved too strong Friday night, handing Orlando a straight-set loss, 25-23, 28-26, 25-19.

Orlando showed promise early and competed well in the opening set, hitting an efficient .292, but the Valkyries were unable to keep that rhythm going as the match progressed. Dallas tightened up defensively and controlled the action at the net, helping hold Orlando to hitting percentages of .080 and .161 in the second and third sets. By the end of the night, Orlando finished hitting .162, while Dallas posted an impressive .317 as a team.

Dallas rookie outside hitter Mimi Colyer once again led the way offensively, recording a match-high 18 kills while hitting .400. On Orlando’s side, the middle blockers carried much of the offensive load. Natalie Foster and Kaz Brown each finished with seven kills, while Foster hit .500 and Brown hit .278. Charitie Luper also added seven kills as Orlando’s balanced attack looked for answers against one of the league’s top offenses.

The Pulse also made their presence felt defensively, out-blocking the Valkyries 11-6. After the match, Orlando head coach Amy Pauly pointed to Dallas’ size and discipline at the net as a major factor in disrupting the Valkyries’ offensive flow. She noted that while Orlando had some positive stretches, the team never fully established the rhythm needed to swing momentum in its favor.

Despite the loss, the Valkyries remain in third place at 8-8 with 12 matches left in the regular season. Pauly’s postgame message was focused and clear: the team still has plenty in front of it. Orlando knows there are areas to clean up, but the belief inside the locker room remains strong as the Valkyries push toward the stretch run of the season.

There was also a notable milestone watch on the night. Natalie Foster recorded one service ace and is now just two away from becoming the first player in MLV history to reach 100 service aces.

Orlando now turns its attention to a major road test against Indy Ignite, who enter at 12-2. The Valkyries will look to regroup, sharpen their execution, and respond on Thursday night.

Match Notes

• Dallas out-blocked Orlando 11-6

• Mimi Colyer led all players with 18 kills

• Kaz Brown, Charitie Luper, and Natalie Foster led Orlando with seven kills each

• Natalie Foster is now two aces away from 100 in MLV history

Next Match
Orlando Valkyries (8-8) vs. Indy Ignite (12-2)
Thursday, March 12 | 7:00 p.m. ET
Fishers Event Center | Roku

Home Woes Continue as Valkyries Fall to Grand Rapids

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Coming off a four-set road win over Dallas on Friday, the Orlando Valkyries came back home looking to stack momentum. Instead, the same home-court problem showed up again.

Grand Rapids Rise walked into Addition Financial Arena and took the match 3–1, handing Orlando another tough night in Orlando: 22–25, 24–26, 25–21, 18–25. The loss drops the Valkyries to 1–6 at home this season.

Score by Set

• Set 1: Rise 25, Valkyries 22

• Set 2: Rise 26, Valkyries 24

• Set 3: Valkyries 25, Rise 21

• Set 4: Rise 25, Valkyries 18

• Final: Rise 3, Valkyries 1

The story of the night: rhythm never really arrived

Friday night in Dallas, Orlando’s offense looked sharp. This one went the opposite direction. The Valkyries finished with a .137 hitting percentage, their second-lowest mark of the season, and it felt like every time Orlando tried to settle in, Grand Rapids had an answer — especially at the net.

The Rise controlled that part of the match with a 15–9 blocking advantage, and those blocks didn’t just score points — they broke up Orlando’s timing and kept the Valkyries from getting into a comfortable flow.

Bright spot: Naya Shime keeps producing

Even in a rough offensive night, Naya Shime continues to be a steady source of production. Filling in and making the most of her opportunities, she led Orlando with 15 kills — her fourth straight match with double-digit kills (10+). When Orlando needed a swing to stop a run or spark energy, Shime was often the one taking it.

“High highs and really low lows”

After the match, head coach Amy Pauly pointed to the biggest theme right now: consistency.

Orlando sits third in the standings at 7–7, but the ride has been uneven. February ended 2–4, and in four of those six matches, the Valkyries didn’t reach .200 hitting efficiency. The ceiling is there — we’ve seen it — but the week-to-week (and set-to-set) swings are what have kept this team from separating.

Outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide echoed the belief that this group can still go on a run, the way they did last season. Nobody’s satisfied with where things are right now — but the confidence isn’t gone.

Notes

• Grand Rapids out-blocked Orlando 15–9

• Naya Shime led Orlando with 15 kills

• Orlando fell to 1–6 at home this season

• Only two teams in MLV currently have winning home records (San Diego and Indy)

Up next

Orlando Valkyries (7–7) vs Columbus Fury (3–9)
Thursday, March 5 — 7:00 p.m. ET
Addition Financial Arena | Roku Channel

This is the spot in the season where teams either drift or respond. Orlando’s still right in the mix — but the next step is simple and hard at the same time: bring the road energy home and make it repeatable.

Orlando’s Sunday Rollercoaster: Set 3 Surge Not Enough vs Columbus

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Valkyries, reigning 2025 Major League Volleyball champions, fought through an up-and-down Sunday night but fell at home to the Columbus Fury 1–3 (27–29, 26–28, 25–18, 17–25) — per the game recap text you provided and the scoreboard screenshot you shared.

Back at Addition Financial Arena after a three-match road stretch where Orlando went 1–2, the Valkyries looked to carry momentum from an impressive road sweep over Omaha. Charitie Luper returned to action, but Orlando was still without Guedpard and Abercrombie — per your provided recap text.

Columbus arrived desperate, riding a five-match losing skid, and played with urgency from the opening serve. The Fury earned their first win since January 22, taking the match 3–1 and holding Orlando to .160 hitting on the night — per your provided recap text and consistent with the Orlando team totals shown in your stat screenshot (Eff% .160).

What decided the match

Columbus leaned into what it does best. Leading the league in blocks, the Fury kept Orlando out of rhythm early, recording eight blocks in the first two sets, per your provided recap text. The tone was set in those first two overtime frames: close volleyball, but Columbus finishing cleaner in the highest-pressure points.

Orlando’s bright spot: Set 3 response

Even with a tough offensive night overall, Orlando’s best stretch came in Set 3, when the Valkyries hit .308, driven by Kaz Brown, Naya Shime, and Bre Kelley — per your provided recap text.

From your stat screenshots, the efficiency from the middle was real:

• Kaz Brown: 10 kills, .333 hitting, plus 3 blocks

• Bre Kelley (rookie): career-high 12 kills, .478 hitting

• Naya Shime: 13 kills (14 total points shown)

Fury’s closer: Raina Terry

Columbus’ engine was Raina Terry, who leads the league in points and delivered a double-double: 19 kills, 14 digs, hitting .250 — per your provided recap text. (Your stat screenshot also shows her 21 total points and 19 kills, aligning with that impact.)

Coach Amy Pauly on Bre Kelley’s growth

Head coach Amy Pauly highlighted what the box score backed up — a rookie making real strides:

“It’s difficult for a rookie to come straight out of college and adjust to the pro game, but I’m so proud of how much Bre has grown throughout the season… Her work ethic has been phenomenal and her drive to want to be the best has shown up.”
— quote from the recap text you provided

Notes:

• Orlando out-blocked the Fury 11-10
• Naya Shime led Orlando with 13 kills, including one of the craziest kills you’ll ever see 
• Bre Kelley finished with a career-high 12 kills

 

Next Match: Orlando Valkyries (6-6) vs Dallas Pulse (8-4) | Friday, February 27, 8:00 p.m. ET | Comerica Center| CBS Sports Network 

 

Orlando se puso en salsa: así arrancó Gilberto Santa Rosa en el Kia Center

 

El "Caballero de la Salsa" no vino a cumplir, vino a reinar. El pasado viernes 20 de febrero, el Kia Center de Orlando se transformó en una enorme pista de baile para recibir a una de las voces más elegantes del género: Gilberto Santa Rosa. Aunque la convocatoria marcaba las 8:00 p. m., el misticismo se hizo esperar hasta las 8:40 p. m., momento en que la orquesta rompió el silencio y la energía en la arena cambió por completo.

El show desde el foso: Tres canciones de alto voltaje

Como fotógrafo acreditado, la experiencia de vivir un concierto desde el pit es un privilegio de adrenalina y precisión. Mi ventana de cobertura fue breve, pero contundente. Bajo el estricto protocolo de prensa, documenté el arranque del show a través del lente durante los tres primeros temas que definieron el tono de la noche:

1. “Déjate querer”: El rompe hielo perfecto para establecer la conexión con el público.

2. “Qué manera de quererte”: Un clásico que elevó los decibeles de inmediato.

3. “Cartas sobre la mesa”: El toque contemporáneo que demuestra que Gilberto sigue vigente en el gusto de todas las generaciones.

"Desde el pit, la percepción es distinta: las luces te golpean con más velocidad, la sección de vientos se siente en el pecho y logras captar esos gestos de complicidad que Santa Rosa lanza a su banda. Es el control total del escenario disfrazado de naturalidad".

Elegancia y Sabor

Lo que vi en esos primeros 15 minutos fue una cátedra de presencia escénica. La mezcla de elegancia y sabor que caracteriza al boricua estaba intacta; el público de Orlando no necesitó calentamiento, la conexión fue instantánea.

Aunque mi labor terminó temprano, la sensación que quedó flotando en el Kia Center fue clara: Gilberto Santa Rosa sigue siendo el estándar de oro de la salsa. Orlando estaba listo para bailar, y el maestro no los hizo esperar más de la cuenta.

New Look Lineup Shows Depth as Valkyries Come Up Short vs. Vibe

 

The Orlando Valkyries, reigning 2025 Major League Volleyball champions, were tested again in a five-set match Saturday night, ultimately falling to Atlanta Vibe, 2–3 (18–25, 25–19, 19–25, 25–21, 9–15) at Addition Financial Arena.

Head coach Amy Pauly pointed to the value of early-season adversity and the growth of a reconfigured lineup, highlighting the contributions of younger players and the team’s ongoing effort to establish its identity.

Match Recap

Set 1 – Atlanta 25, Orlando 18

Orlando faced an early deficit and never fully recovered in the opener. Atlanta hit efficiently in the first set while Orlando struggled to find rhythm offensively.

Set 2 – Orlando 25, Atlanta 19

The Valkyries responded with improved defensive intensity and a steadier attack. Orlando’s pressure reduced Atlanta’s efficiency and helped level the match at 1–1.

Set 3 – Atlanta 25, Orlando 19

The third set swung on a mid-set Atlanta run that created separation and put Orlando in chase mode. Atlanta maintained control late to regain the lead in the match.

Set 4 – Orlando 25, Atlanta 21

Orlando answered again, using a key run to flip the set and build momentum. The Valkyries finished strong down the stretch to force a deciding fifth.

Set 5 – Atlanta 15, Orlando 9

Atlanta took an early cushion before the side switch and carried it through to the finish. Orlando continued to compete, but the Vibe closed out the match in the final set.

Player Highlights

• Hannah Maddux: Career-high 27 kills, leading both teams
• Natalie Foster: 4 service aces, her third match this season with 3+ aces
• Team note: Orlando hit .175 as a team (third match this season under .200)
• Defense: Atlanta edged Orlando in digs 65–62

Next Match: Orlando Valkyries (5–3) vs. Omaha Supernovas (6–3) — Sunday, February 8, 3:00 p.m. ET — Addition Financial Arena — MLV YouTube

Theme: Mental Health Awareness Night