Let’s throw it back to January 10th, when the Omaha Supernovas stormed into their 2025 PVF title defense in dazzling fashion. Going head to head with the Atlanta Vibe at the CHI Health Center, the champions of pro volleyball in Nebraska made the evening an exciting five sets (22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13). The energy in downtown Omaha was electric as 13,486 fans packed the arena, breaking their own record from last season. With Brooke Nuneviller leading the charge, the third-year phenom racked up 22 kills with 17 digs to earn the Player of the Game honors, confirming again that she is one player not to be underestimated. But wait, there was more!

Former Husker Kaitlyn Hord brought her A-game and contributed seven blocks breaking the franchise’s record in single-match blocking while including 10 kills at a hitting efficiency of .555. Newcomer Camila Gómez, playing in her first match for the Supernovas after joining the team during the offseason, posted 31 digs, which also became a new franchise record. With Reagan Cooper, Kelsie Payne, and Ally Batenhorst chipping in offensively, the Supernovas kept the Vibe at bay, holding them to just a .155 hitting percentage. This epic opening night didn’t just leave fans speechless; it also earned some high praise from an ex-Husker who couldn’t help but cheer on Omaha Supernovas’ finest.

Ex-Husker praises the Omaha Supernovas!

On January 13th, Sarah Pavan, an ex- Husker in a YouTube video, couldn’t help but gush over the Omaha Supernovas and how excited they were during their first game. With regards to the spirit and rapport, she responded, “The thing that made me smile the most was these women were so invested, they were intense, they really, really looked like a team. They had that connection… the eye contact, the talking to each other between play.” For Sarah, it wasn’t just about their skill but the camaraderie that stood out, especially with many rookies on the team.

And let’s talk about the fans. Sarah was clearly in awe of the Supernovas’ dedicated crowd, saying, “It was incredible to see how many fans were there. The Supernovas people were in like all these sparkly clothes.” She couldn’t get over how cool it was to see the merch, adding, “The amount of merch that I saw the fans in the crowd wearing… this feels like a Pro Sport.” Comparing the vibe to the LOVB matches, she said that the level was higher but the Supernovas gave a unique level of appearances and interaction that made the game interesting, to say the least. Coming off an epic NCAA season, Sarah described the Supernovas as a perfect transition, calling it “exciting to watch” and proof that pro volleyball is on fire right now.

In her senior year, Sarah Pavan, the ex-Husker, was the Honda-Broderick Cup winner and the AVCA National Player of the Year, finishing one of the most outstanding volleyball careers in the history of the NCAA. She held the school record with 2008 career kills and 4.56 kills per game. The Huskers finished with an astounding 126-7 season, four Big 12 championships, and won the 2006 NCAA championship. A triple Big 12 Player of the Year, she completely owned the court and achieved 4.83 kills per game. Fast forward to today and the chatter surrounding the Omaha Supernovas has Sarah excited all over again. And guess what? The love these fans have for their team was proven even before the season opener when folks showed up just to watch them practice!

The love for the Supernovas’ continues!

On January 4, the Omaha Supernovas took to Instagram and dropped a post that gave us a peek into their court practice. But what’s the big deal about a practice session? Well, it’s only a jaw-dropping 1,200 season ticket holders slacking around the stadium to come and watch—just for practice! Yes, practice! You could really talk about preparing for a season filled with energy and dominance on the field.

Hurrdat Sports perfectly captured the vibe, calling it a rare sight that’s oh-so-typical for Nebraska. And the caption? “If you’re wondering how much Nebraskans love their volleyball,” said it all. Supporters reposted the same message saying, “Nebraska is a whole different type of volleyball world!” Honestly, could anyone disagree? Nebraska is already a planet and has created its own galaxy out of volleyball. The Huskers, who were fascinating in 2024, are an example of that, with the attendance records in at least 16 arenas. Well, this same wildfire passion is now burning for pro volleyball helped by the Omaha Supernovas. Volleyball love? Nebraska essentially defined it.