Orlando’s Fast Start Fades as Pulse Complete Reverse Sweep

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Valkyries looked in full control early Sunday at Addition Financial Arena, sprinting to a two-set lead behind crisp first-half offense. But the Dallas Pulse flipped the match after the break, storming back for a five-set reverse sweep to hand Orlando a 26-24, 25-22, 15-25, 23-25, 9-15 loss.

Orlando debuted a different look in the lineup, giving rookie first-round pick Bre Kelley her first start of the season and using both liberos in the same match for the first time this year. Head coach Amy Pauly said the changes were part of the early-season process to evaluate different combinations and strengthen the team’s blocking presence.

Match recap

Set 1 (Orlando 26–24)
Orlando set the tone immediately, playing fast and efficiently at the net and closing the set late to grab the early edge.

Set 2 (Orlando 25–22)
The Valkyries stayed in rhythm and doubled down with another strong offensive set, taking a 2–0 lead into halftime and putting themselves in position to finish.

Set 3 (Dallas 25–15)
Dallas came out of the break with a different level of pressure—more physical at the net and sharper defensively—dragging Orlando’s offense out of system and swinging momentum hard.

Set 4 (Dallas 25–23)
Orlando responded with energy and fought through a tight set, but Dallas won the most important points late. The Pulse edged the Valkyries down the stretch to force a fifth.

Set 5 (Dallas 15–9)
Dallas carried the momentum into the decider and closed the comeback, sealing the reverse sweep and walking out with a road win.

After the match, outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide pointed to the team’s need for greater urgency coming out of halftime, noting the shift in rhythm once Dallas increased the pressure.

Player highlights

• Brittany Abercrombie: 17 kills, .300 hitting

• Naya Shime: 7 kills, .400 hitting (best match of the season)

• Bre Kelley (first start): 4 kills, 2 blocks, .300 hitting

Closing note

Next match: Orlando Valkyries (3–2) at Grand Rapids Rise (2–2) — Thursday, January 29, 7:00 p.m. ET, Van Andel Arena (MLV YouTube)

Indy Controls the Net, Downs Orlando 3–1

 

The Orlando Valkyries suffered their first loss of the season Thursday night, falling to the Indy Ignite in four sets in a rematch of last year’s championship showdown. Indy controlled the net throughout the night and won 25-18, 23-25, 27-25, 25-18 at Addition Financial Arena.

Orlando battled back after dropping the opening set, taking the second 25-23 to level the match. But the third set became the turning point, with Indy’s blocking swinging key rallies late as the Ignite escaped with a 27-25 win. Indy carried that advantage into the fourth, closing the match with another 25-18 frame.

Charitie Luper led all players with 15 kills and added 17 digs, recording her third consecutive double-double to open the season. Brittany Abercrombie followed with seven kills for Orlando.

The difference came at the net, where Indy held a 16–6 blocking advantage, disrupting Orlando’s rhythm and forcing difficult swings. Orlando finished with a .100 hitting percentage, the lowest in franchise history, and totaled six blocks, its lowest mark of the season.

Orlando returns to action Sunday at home against the Dallas Pulse.

Banner Night Thriller: Valkyries Rally Past Rise in Five to Open Title Defense

 

ORLANDO, Fla. — Under the lights at Addition Financial Arena, the Orlando Valkyries began their 2026 campaign the way champions are expected to: with ceremony, noise, and a final-set statement. Before the first serve, Orlando unveiled its 2025 championship banner and received rings in front of a home crowd that didn’t sit quietly for long. 

Orlando dropped into trouble after Grand Rapids pushed ahead, taking a 2–1 match lead and pulling in front 21–18 late in the fourth set. With the opener slipping, head coach Amy Pauly went to first-round pick Bre Kelley, and the change paid immediate dividends: a serving run flipped momentum as Orlando closed the fourth set 25–23 to force a fifth. 

The decisive frame was one-way traffic. Led by Brittany Abercrombie—who delivered 10 consecutive points from the service line—Orlando surged to a 15–4 win in the fifth to seal a 3–2 comeback over the Grand Rapids Rise.

“Playing in front of our home crowd to open the season was special,” Pauly said. “This group showed a lot of toughness and composure… Shoutout to the fans for sticking with us until the very end.”

Orlando’s 15–4 fifth set was noted as the largest margin of victory in a deciding set in MLV history, topping the previous record of 15–5 set by Columbus against Vegas on May 4, 2025.

Notes (from the team release):

• Abercrombie moved to No. 1 in franchise all-time kills with her 17th kill of the match.
• Luper: 22 kills, 25 digs (first career 20/20).
• Kelley and Abercrombie led Orlando with 2 aces each.
• Orlando: 64 kills | Grand Rapids: 59.
• Grand Rapids out-blocked Orlando 19–15.
• Orlando errors: 17 | Grand Rapids errors: 25.

Next match: Orlando (1–0) travels to face the San Diego Mojo on Sunday, Jan. 11 at 7:00 p.m. ET at Viejas Arena. (That’s 4:00 p.m. PT locally in San Diego.)

ABOUT ORLANDO VALKYRIES

The Orlando Valkyries are a premier professional volleyball franchise competing in Major League Volleyball (MLV). Crowned MLV Champions in 2025, and one of the league’s most dynamic and fast-rising teams, the Valkyries have captured national attention with their elite performance, passionate fanbase, and commitment to excellence both on and off the court. Driven by competitive fire, innovative partnerships, and a deep connection to the Orlando community, the Valkyries are redefining what it means to be a professional sports organization.