In its opening game in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF) league this season, Atlanta Vibe matched up against Omaha Supernovas. The Supernovas came with Ally Batenhorst, the former Nebraska and USC volleyball star. Vibe, on the other hand, had Merritt Beason, Ally’s former teammate in the Cornhuskers. The script on January 10 had almost everything: the characters, the elements, and the energy. But the hype seemed to be lagging. Any specific reason? Atlanta didn’t field Mia Tuaniga against the Supernovas. It could have added a different storyline in the match if Mia had countered her best friend Ally in the match that evening. Well, there was another game in the line waiting. 

On January 12, Atlanta went to Lee’s Family Forum to counter Vegas Thrill. This time as well, Tuaniga missed her name in the final lineup. But this time, she didn’t let the moment miss her presence entirely. She did something on the sideline, which made the fans demand her inclusion in the next match. But what did she do? 

Mia Tuaniga brings energy with her 

Last Sunday, Mia Tuaniga wasn’t in the final lineup. Atlanta Vibe swept the match against the Vegas Thrill in her absence on the court. It was Atlanta’s first victory this season. But did Mia Tuaniga contribute nothing to this? The fans may keep a different opinion. Why? On Monday, Atlanta Vibe’s TikTok handle uploaded a snippet with the caption, “You already know we had to mic up Mia 🕺.” And what was in that snippet? 

The snippet displayed the former USC volleyball star hyping the match environment by continuously cheering from the sideline. She danced, shouted, and grooved to every dramatic beat of the game. And she didn’t do it alone. Mia took Atlanta’s reserved players in every movement on the sideline. It seemed to be the college cheerleader squad, and she posed as the bandmaster.

The only difference was that the California native was in her casuals, whereas others were in the Vibe jersey. So that signifies that Tuaniga wasn’t even on the reserve list for the second PVF game in her roster. While the volleyball fans praised her for her selfless attempt, they also noticed the setter missing her pro volleyball debut.

Isn’t it something unexpected for a player who has 1,200 assists only in the Big Ten? The fans couldn’t keep calm after discovering her effort. They penned their takes and demands in the comment box beneath the TikTok post.

Volleyball fans want their Queen back on the court 

“Let her play 😟😟,” someone commented in the box beneath the post. On Thursday (January 16), Atlanta Vibe will enter Gas South Arena to play against Columbus Fury. Will Mia Tuaniga find a place in the final lineup? No sign of it had come yet. However, against Vegas Thrill, Marlie Monserez was on the court as a setter. She had 7 digs and scored 3 points. Will she get replaced in the next match? Will Whitney Bower, another setter, get a chance? Several questions are in the air now. Meanwhile, another fan added, “Why’s Mia not suited and booted 😔.” Again her absence in the reserve team made it into the debate. 

In the last match, Whitney Bower was on the reserve list. In the season opener, the list had the same two setters. The difference was that on the first day, both had chances to play. That’s why Tuaniga found no chance to don the Atlanta Vibe jersey. 

Nonetheless, the fans remember seeing her during the practice sessions shedding sweat. They also know her popularity. One such fan showed displeasure in the comment box. “I didn’t know she was just a practice player.. I wanna see her play now!! shes clearly a fan favorite like merb.”

The comparison went with Merritt Beason, the Husker alum. Notably, coming with a massive fan following, Merritt has been a regular face in the Atlanta Vibe’s final lineup. Then, why is Tuaniga, another popular entity, not present on the regular team? 

Last Sunday, Mia proved her mental readiness to compete in a professional match by doing all those moves and cheering. Fans now want her in the actual game, playing for Atlanta. Someone with such a wish commented, “The QUEEN has arriveddds!! I need more of these!” The unfulfilled wish led another fan to chime in, “Play Mia! We want to see Mia in action!”

The fans will have to keep their fingers crossed till January 16. Only that day’s happenings can give a sure-shot answer to the question: When will Mia Tuaniga play for Atlanta Vibe?