New year, fresh vibes? Well, not quite for Anna DeBeer, whose 2025 Pro Volleyball start was similar to the bitter-sweet conclusion of her 2024 collegiate experience. Anna was set to make a mark for the Indy Ignite after failing to compete in the NCAA finals because of an injury. But, as fate would have it, the court had to wait a little longer for her magic. When fans were excited to see her perform on January 11, Indy Ignite dropped the difficult news on them.

“Injury report: Indy Ignite’s Anna DeBeer will miss the home opener on January 11 due to injury. Wishing Anna a speedy recovery as she works hard to get back on the court!” A curveball for sure, but Anna’s resilience remains the talk of the town. Despite the blow, Indy Ignite wasn’t about to let the night slip away. They snagged their first victory of the season, proving that even without Anna on the court, they’ve got the spark to light up the PVF!

Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball lit up the vibes on X after their thrilling match, proudly posting, “First home match [check] Might as well get the first WIN too!” The crowd at the arena—6,089 strong—brought the energy as Indy Ignite snagged their historic first-ever win, battling it out in a nail-biting four-set showdown. With a scoreline of 13-25, 25-19, 25-17, and 25-21 over the Orlando Valkyries, it was pure electric volleyball drama.

Leketor Member-Meneh was just too powering, scoring 25 kills and Azhani Tealer added the final touch with 19 kills. Not only did the squad make the day one to remember by securing a ‘W’ but also got off to a great start in a season that will be fueled with passion, hard work, and major volleyball feels. The night, however, started off with a little intrigue as Orlando took the first set rather convincingly at 25-13. But Indy was not ready to allow their home opener to be a dampener.

They roared back to life, took the next three sets, and closed out a fantastic 3-1 triumph. Why wouldn’t they? After all Sydney Hilley was there to lend a hand, recording 44 assists and digging 15 to lead the team to victory. Orlando’s Brittany Abercrombie came out to play and led the Valkyries in terms of points with 17 of the total kills. Safe to say they ignited the court in the first game. But fans could not help but notice the absence of Anna DeBeer, who could not play due to an injury. And here’s the kicker—this wasn’t the first time Anna had to bow out of a big game because of it!

Anna DeBeer misses out on another major game!

The Louisville Cardinals’ NCAA Volleyball championship dreams came down to one pivotal moment in the Final Four. On December 19, they fought tooth and nail to outlast their rivals, the Pittsburgh Panthers, earning their spot in the finals. However, that victory was won at a very dear price. Anna DeBeer, who had 14 kills in the three sets, had a bitter twist in the fourth set. A mid-court collision with teammate Phekran Kong sent her tumbling under the net, her ankle twisting painfully to the side. The crowd was hushed as she lay on the floor crying, which might be the end of her college volleyball career. Her teammates quickly attempted to pull her up, but the damage was done. Her final game would be spent on the sidelines, a spectator to the heartbreak that followed.

Without Anna DeBeer, Louisville gave everything they had in the championship match but could not outpower Penn State. The Cardinals missed the championship game by a whisker, leaving both Anna DeBeer and her senior teammate to close their collegiate careers with a bittersweet taste of unfinished business. The emotional strain was felt throughout the team and, to some degree, the spirit of the team was reflected in the tears of their coach, Dani Busboom Kelly.

When asked about the impact of Anna DeBeer’s absence, Busboom Kelly’s raw honesty struck a chord. “I thought our team was really impressive. And I think it’s emotional when you have a player like Anna out, who—you know that, I mean, everybody in this building knows that outcome… it might not be different, but it would have been a different match, and she’s sacrificed a lot.” She paused, visibly reflecting on Anna’s journey and the cruel twist of fate. “To see this game taken away from her was really tough.” So, while we don’t have an idea when Anna DeBeer will come back to the court, what do you think about her absence? Let us know in the comments!