On Wednesday at Nationwide Arena, the Omaha Supernovas were stunned by the previously winless Columbus Fury by a score of 3-1 (25-12, 25-21, 23-25, 25-23). It was the Fury’s home opener.
Former Oregon Duck, Brooke Nuneviller, led the Omaha attack and achieved her fifth double-double of the season with 13 kills and 16 digs. Allison Mayfield also made a notable contribution with 11 kills in her first sustained action of the season. Jess Schaben-Lansman secured nine kills, and middle blocker Danielle Hart added six, with Schaben-Lansman contributing two aces. Setter Natalia Valentín-Anderson provided 36 assists and 12 digs.
Despite a season-low six blocks, Hart led Omaha with three stuffs. The team’s hitting percentage for the night was .169.
On the opposing side, Fury attacker Reagan Cooper delivered a match-high 22 kills and 11 digs. Asjia O’Neal, the No. 1 overall pick, added 15 kills with a .520 hitting percentage and contributed to four of the team’s 12 blocks. Columbus hit .256 but did not produce any aces.
In the first set, the Fury dominated early, with Cooper and O’Neal leading to a 25-12 victory. Cooper had seven kills in this set. In the second set, Columbus maintained momentum, securing a 25-21 win, with Cooper and O’Neal combining for four kills and a block. Omaha showed improvement in hitting percentage at .286 in this set.
Omaha turned the tables in the third set, winning 25-23, led by Mayfield’s five kills. The fourth set remained competitive, but Columbus clinched the match with a 25-23 victory, fueled by Cooper’s 22nd kill and O’Neal’s 15th.
Omaha Supernovas will continue their road trip, facing the Orlando Valkyries on Sunday, February 25, at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, with the first serve set for 2 p.m. CST.