The Atlanta Vibe haven’t performed since Might 2, however don’t fear about libero Morgan Hentz being rusty.
No, whereas her group was again dwelling getting ready for the Professional Volleyball Federation Championship that begins Wednesday, Hentz was within the USA national-team health club in Anaheim.
“I had this good alternative to return out right here and fortunately the USA workers has been versatile with me being a part of PVF and permitting me to do each,” Hentz mentioned final week.
The schedule for the fledgling league included 24 matches for every group, however the begin and end was not even. Atlanta, for instance, performed extra matches early than most. San Diego, which began a lot later, had three matches final week whereas the Vibe have been hanging out.
Atlanta is the No. 1 seed after ending 19-5, three full video games forward of the second-seeded Omaha Supernovas (16-8).
Atlanta performs the fourth-seeded Grand Rapids Rise (12-12) at 6 p.m. Central within the first semifinal Wednesday in Omaha’s CHI Well being Heart. They break up their 4 matches this season.
Within the second semi, Omaha performs San Diego (13-11). Additionally they break up their 4 matches.
Each matches shall be proven on the CBS Sports activities Community with Paul Sunderland and Holly McPeak on the decision.
The inaugural championship match is Saturday and the profitable franchise will get a $1 million prize that shall be break up up among the many gamers and group workers.
ATLANTA VS. GRAND RAPIDS: The Vibe gained 10 of their final 11 matches earlier than starting their prolonged break.
Outdoors hitter Leah Edmond is second within the league with 381 kills. Hentz leads the PVF with 373 digs.
The Vibe has three gamers within the high 5 in hitting proportion. Magdalena Jehlářová is second at .459, Anna Lazareva is fourth at .426 and Shelly Fanning is fifth at .414.
Rise exterior Claire Chaussee leads the PVF in kills with 395 and teammate Emilya Dimitrova is third with 371. Grand Rapids gained its final two matches to finish a three-match skid.
OMAHA VS. SAN DIEGO: Omaha may have an enormous home-court benefit as a result of the Supernovas have attracted probably the most followers within the PVF by far this season. However whereas Omaha is coming a regular-season-ending, five-set loss to Grand Rapids, the Mojo have gained three in a row and 12 of 18.
San Diego exterior Lindsey Vander Weide is the ultimate regular-season participant of the week. She’s the third Mojo participant to win the honour within the final 5 weeks, preceded by setter Nootsara Tomkom on April 16 and reverse Willow Johnson on April 30.
San Diego gained all three of its matches final week to not solely get into the PVF semifinals, however clinch the third seed. Vander Weide totaled 51 kills and hit .490 in these victories, and had 23 digs, a block and an ace.
A HAPPY HENTZ: We featured the previous Stanford libero virtually two years in the past after she performed in Athletes Limitless and was with Workforce USA at Volleyball Nations League.
Hentz is de facto glad to play professional volleyball in America.
“For me it’s been an actual pleasure and the factor that shocked me probably the most is the fan help and the best way that we’ve gotten details about the league on the market,” Hentz mentioned. “It’s been actually thrilling and there’s been lots of parity within the league. It looks like everybody’s overwhelmed everybody sooner or later, which is de facto neat as a result of groups got here on board at totally different instances.”
Hentz acquired in an incredible quantity of labor in Anaheim, however, after all, didn’t make the 14-player USA roster that headed to Brazil for the primary leg of Volleyball Nations League. She’ll rejoin the USA group after this week’s playoffs.
“I’m awfully excited and in addition simply nervous, as a result of that is historical past within the making,” Hentz mentioned. “And also you at all times wish to be on the proper facet of historical past.
“The overwhelming feeling is only one of gratitude, to have the ability to keep right here within the U.S. and compete in entrance of household and buddies and alongside different People. It’s been actually cool to be part of.”