Story by Omaha Supernovas Communication
OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Supernovas, Nebraska’s professional volleyball team in the newly-established Professional Volleyball Federation, saw three of its first draft picks in franchise history honored as American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-Americans as announced Wednesday morning by the organization.
Hawaii’s Amber Igiede and Western Kentucky’s Paige Briggs were each named Third Team All-Americans while Sophie Davis of James Madison was selected as an honorable mention.
"It is really exciting to have three of our Supernovas draftees receiving All-American honors," Head Coach Shelton Collier said. "This is an incredible week with our Pro Volleyball Federation Draft, AVCA Convention, and national championships all happening. Igiede was certainly regarded as one of the elite middle blockers in the country and Briggs is highly regarded for her all-around game. Davis was a high achieving, high IQ middle attacker and had a strong season as well. All three were key leaders on high successful teams this fall, and we are excited about having them in the gym with us in January."
Most recently, Igiede became the Supernovas’ first draft pick in team history when she was selected No. 7 overall in the 2023 Pro Volleyball Federation U.S. College Player Draft on December 11. The Louisiana native caps off her college career with back-to-back All-American awards as she was also named an AVCA Third Team All-American after the 2022 season.
Igiede was one of the best middle blockers in the country this last season, winning the Big West Player of the Year award after guiding the Rainbow Wahine to their fourth-straight Big West title. She finished the regular season leading the conference in kills per set (3.79), hitting percentage (.401), points (516.5) and points per set (4.70). The 6-foot-3 Igiede ends her college career as the No. 3 middle blocker with 1,371 kills in the NCAA active records list.
Briggs was originally selected No. 5 overall by the Orlando Valkyries, but she was traded to Omaha in a deal struck between the two teams on draft day. It marks the third AVCA All-American award for Briggs, but the first time she’s landed on the third team. She earned honorable mention status last year in 2022 and as a sophomore following the 2020-2021 season.
The 5-foot-10 outside hitter had an illustrious career with the Hilltoppers posting 1,857 career kills and 184 aces which are both third in school history. Plus, her 3.55 kills per set career average ranks fifth in program history while her 1,426 digs are eighth.
Briggs saved her best season for last as she was named the Conference USA Alyssa Cavanaugh Player of the Year following a season with 4.00 kills per set on a .330 hitting percentage including a career-high 61 aces and 282 digs. She was one of the key leaders in helping Western Kentucky go 30-5 and reach the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2023.
Davis rounds out the trio with her first career AVCA honor after a monster final season with the Dukes. Selected No. 24 overall by the Supernovas in the U.S. college player draft, Davis will go down as one of the best players in program history as she leaves JMU as the school record holder in hitting percentage (.372), solo blocks (136), block assists (447), and total blocks (583).
The 6-foot-2 middle blocker was a force at the net recording triple-digit blocks (139) for the fourth time in five seasons including a career-best 3.07 kills per set on a .355 clip. Davis also continued to excel from behind the service line posting 22 aces in 2023. The Fort Lauderdale, Florida native recorded only 15 aces in her first three college seasons before exploding for 49 the past two years.
All five draftees will join the current roster in January as they attempt to make the Supernovas’ final roster. All Pro Volleyball Federation teams will cut down to 14-person rosters ahead of their season openers, with two additional roster spots saved for college draftees for a total of 16 players. The Supernovas will host the first Pro Volleyball Federation match on January 24, 2024, as Omaha takes on the Atlanta Vibe at the CHI Health Center, with the first serve set for 7 p.m.
REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL competition will officially begin in the United States with the Omaha Supernovas hosting the Atlanta Vibe in the first match in league history at the CHI Health Center in downtown Omaha on January 24, at 7:00 p.m. CT. Nebraska supports volleyball better than anyone, as evidenced by the more than 92,000 fans that turned out this season for a collegiate match at the Nebraska’s Memorial Stadium in August, setting a new world record for the highest attended women’s sporting event.
The Supernovas are one of seven U.S. teams for the 2024 inaugural season: Omaha Supernovas, Atlanta Vibe, Orlando Valkyries, Columbus Fury, Grand Rapids Rise, San Diego Mojo and Vegas Thrill. Three expansion teams, Dallas Pro Volleyball, Kansas City Pro Volleyball, and Indianapolis Pro Volleyball have been announced for 2025. In Season One, the Pro Volleyball Federation will be showcased in three different U.S. time zones. Matches will take place on 67 different dates between January and May 2024, occurring on every day of the week.
ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS
The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL PRO VOLLEYBALL and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.