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.
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