Orlando Valkyries VS Grand Rapids | HIGHLIGHTS | PVF 2025
1 Video View·May 4, 2025
Orlando Valkyries VS Grand Rapids | HIGHLIGHTS | PVF 2025. For the first time in franchise history, the Orlando Valkyries (17-10) have completed a reverse sweep, finishing off an unbelievable comeback over the Grand Rapids Rise (11-16) by set scores of 19-25, 17-25, 25-23, 25-21, 16-14.
In a full team effort, the Valkyries added yet another impressive win to their resume, building on their momentum for next week’s playoffs. Despite not playing Kaz Brown and seeing limited action from Brittany Abercrombie, Pornpun Guedpard, and Natalie Foster, Orlando relied on their depth, and it paid big dividends.
Facing the number one defensive team in the league, Orlando struggled in its first two sets, hitting for a combined .105 efficiency on just 22 kills. One of the biggest reasons why this number was so low was because of the second set, where Grand Rapids forced Orlando to hit a -.022 efficiency, blocking them six times while also causing Orlando to have five attack errors.
Coming out of the break, the Valkyries were looking for a spark to jumpstart them and get back in rhythm. Amy Pauly turned to M’Kaela White, who came off the bench and immediately made an impact with three blocks, helping to set the tone for the rest of the match. Not only was the defensive intensity ramped up, but it helped the offense flow more smoothly, increasing the efficiency to .200 in the third set.
Once Orlando had grabbed the momentum in the third, they took advantage of every opportunity they got in the fourth. From free balls to Grand Rapids’ seven service errors, the Valkyries were in full control, even recording a .284 efficiency, their best offensive performance in a single set, leading to a 25-21 victory and pushing the match to an ever-decisive set five.
Looking to complete the rare feat, the Valkyries would find themselves in a 11-8 lead as the race was on to 15. A quick run by Grand Rapids forced Amy Pauly to use a timeout. Being down 14-13 and on the brink of losing in five, Norah Sis stepped up big providing a huge kill to tie things up. Lindsey Vander Weide would follow, delivering back-to-back kills and completing the rare feat of a reverse sweep.
Not only did this win show just how resilient this group can be, but it also added another element to what makes Orlando so great all around. The Valkyries finished tonight’s match with 111 digs, setting the league record for most digs ever in a five-set match in league history.
Fans in the league and hitting their stride right now is Pornpun Gupar, the server.
One of the top setters in the league out of Thailand.
And Abercrombie terminates.
What I love about Pornpun, aka Champu, we'll refer to her as,
is she gets everyone the ball in any situation.
After the sport of golf.
And then we were left kind of scratching our head what exactly that might mean.
Running the gamut.
As Jensen scores for Grand Rapids.
And the biggest key right now for Grand Rapids, you can tell the feeling.
Getting that experience down in the game and now at the pro level too here in the states.
Courtney Schwan is able to hit that one inbounds.
Going great read by Hansen.
Scramble involving Klika.
Holthaus too much.
Holthaus might have been the most pivotal difference that this Grand Rapids team has had
in this late stretch at the end of the season when they've been getting more and more wins.
Because of the experience that she brings.
Gupar's got a move for that set.
Carly Snyder toward the deep corner.
And Grand Rapids in a little bit of a groove here in the first set.
Beautiful swing from Carly Snyder.
Taking that pass and then going instantly outside.
Makes up for it with that hammer.
Ogilvie takes the second.
Holthaus with a big angle.
Very short tip by Holthaus.
With defense around the net by Orlando on this point.
It's a well played point for both sides.
Scully takes it, gives it to Abercrombie.
Ogilvie has to set for Holthaus.
Gupar thinks about it.
Abercrombie to the ground with that tip that she is so good at.
Now we're seeing the defense come alive a little bit on both sides.
Both Orlando and Grand Rapids were hitting insanely efficiently about up until this point.
But now we're seeing defense as well.
Very rare call though.
They're somewhat lenient a lot of the time.
Especially as they're introducing that rule.
But Holthaus scores and puts Grand Rapids up by three.
Eleanor Holthaus taking really good swings cross body.
Meaning she's going from zone two back to zone two in right front.
Just moving that arm.
To her credit she had 23 and Atlanta won the match in five.
Schaffmaster into set.
And she knew she had to play that one over the net.
It was tight and she knew what to do with it.
Abercrombie back row attack.
One handed dig by Briggs Romine.
And Sisk with the miss.
And Grand Rapids making relatively quick work of the first half.
In the game.
Which I don't believe we've seen her yet.
It'd be the third time they were both on the court in the same match this year.
Of the four meetings between these two teams.
Big cover play by Scully.
Left handed tip from Snyder causing trouble.
Holthaus on maybe a C ball there.
Good pick up as well from Snyder on the other side.
Foster pounds one into the ground there.
Natalie Foster the rookie out of SMU.
Makes it difficult for blockers to know when to go up.
That was a block touch there which is why you see the out call.
Not factoring into that bold six replay.
Good extension there.
Just keeping it in play was Scully.
And playing the angle Schaffmaster.
But putting it down.
Bastianelli on the slide.
9 for 10.
900.
Best hitting percentage ever.
With 10 or more attempts.
Also had six aces which tied a record in that one.
As Hanson steps up.
That was a perfect example of the serve working with the block.
Because the serve gets Grand Rapids out of system.
Forcing the only place to go was this ball outside.
The most important you could argue have not been played.
And sometimes you just need a different vibe out on the court.
Or a different energy out there.
Switching high energy people in like Lydia Grote has paid off for Orlando.
At least in that position.
As I said the middle has to follow you and get further.
Does that gap also allow you.
I guess that's the point you were making there.
Further off the net.
You mean just more situations where you can utilize the middle.
If you're good on the gap.
That is pounded by Sisk.
As long as your middles have the ability to get off the net.
She has played in three sets each of the last two matches.
Getting back in there now for Grand Rapids.
Holthaus is dug by Schaffmeister.
Threw it pretty tight to the net.
Gets it through.
Back set.
Holthaus.
In transition.
Nora Sisk.
Going to go right back to number 22 in white.
The number 22 on the other side.
And Turner reads it.
And Holthaus slams it home.
Good reaction from Nora Sisk.
But Schwan is off the mark.
And a healthy set two victory right there for Grand Rapids 25-17.
She gets the block.
Because then you get that A plus celebration from M.K. White.
Remember watching her play actually a little bit at James Madison.
Where M.K. White played collegiately.
She's always loved a good celebration as Grote puts one down.
Here's another massive swing from Lydia Grote.
She's really changing up where she's taking these swings.
These teams have been so impressive.
Because you can pull anyone off the bench.
And you know they're not just going to go in there and be lackadaisical.
They're going to go in there and make a difference.
Because they're so talented and experienced enough to do so.
Turner over on two.
That was red.
Klika, the setup.
Turner feeding Jensen.
They love to go to those middles in transition.
Transition has been so impressive for Grand Rapids.
The antenna.
Double-double for Paige Briggs-Romine.
Grote connecting up high with Jensen.
Jensen just couldn't get out of the way fast enough.
That ball is coming with so much heat from Lydia Grote.
Beautiful swing right down the line.
Check out how fast this ball is coming off Grote's hand.
It is lightning fast.
Going after a ball, colliding into the referee stand.
Turner to Jensen.
Turner's got to play it.
O-tech with a second touch.
Klika digs it.
Coming off a career-best 12 digs.
They can't keep that one up.
Another Grand Rapids block.
Beautiful setup from Carly Snyder.
Jensen getting all the way out to her as well.
Identifying where that ball is.
Grote.
Younger group in with Shampoo, Abercrombie, Casbrown
all out in the rotation getting some rest.
Kept up off the net.
Hansen made the reaction.
Jensen cannot quite put that one down.
Sisk gets a swing.
Briggs-Romine pops it up.
Free ball.
Orlando ahead in this point.
Schaffmaster.
Grote.
Block was late.
Good decision by Schaff.
I would say it's likely for Atlanta,
especially just considering that even if one of those matches
goes five, then it's over and Omaha moves on
or clinches the one seed.
But it is more than possible that that Atlanta
versus Omaha match could end up deciding things.
Grand Rapids was calling for a net there.
Bastianelli was.
Get the call.
And Hansen converts.
It's all even at 23.
Reyes need a side out.
Orlando has a shot.
Van Der Weide is stuck.
White gets it back over.
Turner with tempo.
Briggs-Romine is dug and it's saved.
Back court again for Holthaus.
Van Der Weide.
That will do it.
And we're going to the fourth set here in Michigan.
Tip kill there for Briggs-Romine.
Especially one-on-ones against a setter,
but she's not your normal setter at 6'3".
And the two college teammates connecting once again.
It's Schaffmaster to Lydia Grote.
A bit of a delay on that one, but such a good connection.
Lydia Grote sending this ball right down the line,
her favorite shot.
Starting to pile up the numbers.
Erica Pritchard is checked in for Grand Rapids
and quickly puts one down.
And Grand Rapids needs a spark on their side
and now shuffling the line up just a little bit more
to try to get something going.
Checking in as that right center.
Can't just guess where the ball is going.
Grote scoops it up.
So does Snyder.
Flicka has to react off the block.
Huge hammer from Nora Siss.
That is clean to the ground.
No contact made.
Very rare you see that off a serve.
The ace from Briggs-Romine.
You'll see an aggressive serve usually,
although Snyder kind of took something off of that one.
I would say normally she's an aggressive server.
Grote was ready for White that time.
Phenomenal read at a massive time.
Maren Grote, I ding this ball so well.
Gets the solo step, hands in the right place.
That was not the call from Michelle Prater.
On set point, Lydia Grote.
That's going to do it.
And it's the fifth set coming up.
Orlando looking for a reverse sweep.
All of a sudden Orlando right back in this match
turning that defense up, staying aggressive.
This team recently, Orlando coming in,
three straight match wins.
Didn't look like it early in this one,
but now they're showing up.
Both valid, I would say.
Fifth set underway.
Teams will switch sides at eight,
and Nora Sisk picks up where Orlando left off.
White takes the second.
Remember, there is a double contact rule,
unlike the NCAAs.
Holthaus, vacuumed by Van Der Weide.
O-tech to Holthaus.
Shaftmaster's been active defensively to begin the fifth.
Abby Hansen gets in the way,
and Orlando starts out the fifth set three-nothing.
The long rallies are high momentum plays,
and Orlando is getting on top of them already three times.
Orlando's up over 100 digs, by the way.
At 102 already, Snyder with the roof.
Massive block from Carly Snyder.
Really great set up, and a huge push over the net.
Great handwork, turning them back into the game.
You're jinxing it, that's what I'm trying to do.
Oh, get out of here.
Van Der Weide puts an end to that talk,
and Orlando back up by three.
First to 15, win by two.
Frigg's roll on.
Yes.
Sisk.
It's Deuce.
Kathy George trying to get in there
and try to save that play for her team.
Sisk with the serve.
Otep takes it.
Lydia Groh digs.
Van Der Weide wins the match for Orlando.
Reverse sweep for the Valkyries.
The grit that a team has to have to pull off a reverse sweep,
especially in this league when the talent is so high.