ORLANDO, Fla. — The Omaha Supernovas, the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, used clutch fifth-set performances from Brooke Nuneviller and Kiara Reinhardt to take down the Orlando Valkyries (5-4) in a 25-18, 20-25, 22-25, 25-18, 15-9 five-set battle Sunday afternoon in front of 2,050 at Addition Financial Arena.
It marked Omaha’s (7-3) fifth straight win, setting a new franchise record, and its seventh consecutive road victory dating back to last season. Nuneviller, who was taken out late in the fourth set, roared back in the decisive fifth, posting a team-high five kills. Four of those, along with a block, came during the Supernovas’ (7-3) opening 8-1 run in the tiebreaking set. Much of that surge was sparked by the defensive work of Reinhardt, who recorded seven digs in the set alone and finished with nine overall, the second-most on the team.
Nuneviller notched her eighth double-double in 10 matches this season, finishing with 20 points on 17 kills (.196), two blocks and one ace while adding a team-high 16 digs. Reagan Cooper led Omaha in points for the second straight match, totaling 25 points with 23 kills on a .396 hitting percentage. She also stuffed a pair of Orlando attacks while contributing eight digs and two assists. Opposite Emily Londot tied for third on the Supernovas with 12 points as the Ohio State product hammered down nine kills to go with two blocks and one ace. Sarah Parsons recorded a kill and a block before exiting in the fourth set with a wrist injury. Merritt Beason’s lone point came on a key ace in the fifth set…