By Annie Walker

April 11, 2024

San Diego Mojo (5-8) at Columbus Fury (5-9)
The San Diego Mojo travel to Columbus to play the Fury for the first time in series history for the second-ever meeting between the two franchises. First serve at Nationwide Arena is set for 4 p.m. PT. The first meeting had the Mojo top the Fury in four sets and move into fifth place ahead of Columbus in the league standings. In that previous match, Columbus won the first set, but San Diego stormed back to capture the final three. Temi Thomas-Ailara scored a match-high 28 points, including a franchise record 27 kills, scoring on 27 of 58 swings (47% kill ratio) while also adding 12 digs.

Tune-In

• TV: CBS Sports Network
• Stream: Click here to watch the match.

San Diego Mojo Outlook
The Mojo wrapped up a three-match home stand on Wednesday, in which they won two of three contests. Friday’s match in Columbus will be the first of three-straight on the road for San Diego, who have a 1-4 away record this season. Last time out, head coach Tayyiba Haneef-Park and the Mojo fell in three sets to the Atlanta Vibe. Kendra Dahlke had a team-high of 13 points for San Diego, scoring on 11 of 32 swings for a 34 percent kill ratio and adding two blocks. Morgan Lewis scored nine points with one block, while Nootsara Tomkom paced the Mojo with 24 assists and Shara Venegas had a team-high 13 digs. Setter Nootsara Tomkom is averaging a Pro Volleyball Federation-leading 11.2 assists per set and is one of only four players averaging double-digits, while her 515 total assists are tied for fourth in the league. Thomas-Ailara is averaging a team-leading 15.5 points per match, the seventh-best mark in the league, while Ronika Stone (9.8) and Lindsey Vander Weide (8.5) rank 15th and 22nd in the PVF, respectively. Hannah Tapp tops the team in spike ratio (.408) and has 24 block wins, while Stone is second on the team with a .393 spike ratio and leads San Diego with 27 block wins.

Columbus Fury Outlook
Led by head coach Ángel Pérez, Columbus has lost four-straight matches and is a half-match behind San Diego in the league standings. The Columbus offense is paced by Regan Cooper, who leads the team averaging 16.8 points per match, the fifth-best average in the league, while Megan Courtney Lush is scoring 10.0 points per match. Tori Stringer (397 assists) and Raymarlely Santos (349 assists) are the primary setters for the Fury.

Up Next
Following Friday’s match, San Diego will travel south to play the Orlando Valkyries on Sunday, April 14, the second time the squads meet and first time on the road. The Mojo fell in five sets to the Valkyries when the sides met at Viejas Arena on March 11. First serve at Addition Financial Arena will take place at noon PT.

ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is the present and future of professional volleyball in North America. The League began play in January 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players joined by elite standouts from around the world. Seven teams have taken the court in the first season, with 10 teams scheduled for the 2025 campaign. Our focus is on ensuring that the level and quality of play, treatment of players and the entire fan experience is world class and the best offered anywhere. For more information, visit ProVolleyball.com.

ABOUT THE SAN DIEGO MOJO
The San Diego Mojo is a women’s professional volleyball team in San Diego, CA, and is an inaugural member of Pro Volleyball Federation, the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. The Mojo play their home matches at Viejas Arena on the campus of San Diego State University. The ownership group includes 5-time Olympian Kerri Walsh Jennings.

COURTESY SAN DIEGO MOJO COMMUNICATIONS