Top-seeded Indy Ignite upset by Omaha Supernovas in fifth set of MLV championship semifinal
The Indy Ignite had a record-setting season en route to a regular-season title. But they fell a few points short of playing for $1 million.
FRISCO, TX — Coming off a record-setting 23-5 season, the Indy Ignite couldn’t find a 24th win in the semifinals against the Omaha Supernovas, falling short of a second straight championship berth. After losing to the Ignite in the 2025 semifinals as the tournament’s top seed, the Supernovas exacted their revenge with a 3-2 upset win, 25-22, 21-25, 27-29, 25-20, 15-13. The Ignite went 3-1 in the regular season in five-set matches, the only loss coming against the Supernovas on March 14.
Anna DeBeer and Azhani Tealer led the Ignite (23-6) with 16 kills each. Tealer hit . 244 and had a double-double with 14 digs, and Lydia Martyn added 12 kills (.
320) and six blocks. Setter Mia Tuaniga had 59 assists and 12 digs, only outdone by Elena Scott’s MLV championship record 27 digs. Sarah Parsons paced the Supernovas with 17 kills.
Merritt Beason (12), Janice Leao (10) and Brooke Nuneviller (10) weren’t far behind. The teams exchanged blows early, drawing even eight times in the first set. Tied at 14 apiece, two kills by Leao out of the middle and an attack error by Tealer gave Omaha a three-point advantage, allowing them to stave off Indy to win 25-21.