OMAHA – The Omaha Supernovas, the world’s leading professional volleyball franchise, leaned on a career performance from middle blocker Toyosi Onabanjo to force a fifth set against the Dallas Pulse (6-3), but it was not enough in a 16-25, 25-17, 21-25, 25-19, 11-15 loss Thursday night on Kiewit Court at the CHI Health Center in front of 9,828 fans.
A first-round pick of the Supernovas (7-4) in the 2024 MLV Draft, Onabanjo erupted for a career-high 14 points on 10 kills with a .667 hitting percentage, also a career best. She was a force at the net with a match-high four blocks and added five digs. Outside hitter Brooke Nuneviller and opposite Emily Londot matched her scoring output. Nuneviller totaled 14 kills on .333 hitting with five digs, while Londot finished with 13 kills on .312 hitting, nine digs and one block. Reagan Cooper recorded six kills and two blocks, while Sarah Parsons added three kills and seven digs while appearing in three of the five sets.
Kiara Reinhardt was also an offensive force with seven kills on 11 swings for a .636 hitting percentage. She served as an x-factor with three of the team’s five aces. Libero Morgan Hentz led the Supernovas with eight digs, while Allison Holder added five. Setter Sydney Hilley dished out 45 assists with six digs and one kill as she directed the offense to a .362 hitting percentage on 127 swings…