By Annie Walker

April 19, 2024

OMAHA, Neb. – The Omaha Supernovas have announced the addition of former Minnesota superstar and five-time All-American Stephanie Samedy to its roster. The former Gopher will suit up with the Supernovas for the rest of the season as Omaha looks to seal up a spot in the first Pro Volleyball Federation Championship which is to take place in Omaha on May 15 and May 18 at the CHI Health Center.

Samedy made her name known during her five-year career at the University of Minnesota volleyball program from 2017 through 2021. The 6-foot-2 opposite was a five-time AVCA All-American including four separate appearances (2017, 2018, Spring 2021, Fall 2021) on the AVCA First-Team list.

“Stephanie will be a great addition to the team. She is coming off her professional season in Turkey which has her primed to jump right in the mix with this group,” Supernovas Interim Head Coach Laura “Bird” Kuhn said. “We talk as a staff often about how special this group’s chemistry is, and we believe Stephanie will a great addition both as a player and person within the organization.”

The Clermont, Florida native was also a two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, winning the award in consecutive seasons (Spring 2021 & Fall 2021) becoming the first Gopher to accomplish that feat. Samedy was an offensive machine, averaging over four kills per set in each of those seasons which were both Big Ten highs. A six-rotation opposite with the Gophers, Samedy also racked up digs posting four matches of 20-plus kills and digs which is a Minnesota record.

A record-setter on the court, Samedy became the first Gopher and second Big Ten player in history to record 2,000 career kills and 1,500 career digs. In 145 career matches at Minnesota, Samedy totaled 2,020 kills, 1,539 digs, 413 blocks and 87 aces. Those numbers equate to 3.88 kills per set, 2.95 digs per set and 4.46 points per set across five seasons.

Samedy also has a presence on the international side with USA Volleyball. She made her U.S. Women’s National Team debut at the 2020 NORCECA Pan American Cup. She also played on the 2021, 2019 and 2018 U.S. Women’s Collegiate National Team. More recently, Samedy won gold at the 2023 NORCECA Pan Am Cup Final Six and silver at the same event in 2022.

Following her historic career in Minneapolis, Samedy competed with SSC Palmberg Schwerin in Germany for her first professional season. Samedy quickly moved on to Italian Serie A1, which is widely known as the best professional volleyball league in the world. She joined Bartoccini-Fortinfissi Perugia for 14 matches before moving on to powerhouse Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano where she helped the team win the Italian Serie A1 title, Italian Cup, Italian Supercup and Club World Championship.

Samedy most recently completed her first season in another top league with Muratpasa Bld. Sigorta Shop in Turkey.

Samedy fills the last spot in the 14-person active roster for the Supernovas who currently have three players on injured reserve including Gina Mancuso-Prososoki, Danielle Hart and Nia Reed.

Fans can listen to all the action on the Supernovas Radio Network, which is led by the flagship station, 93.7 The Ticket. Radio coverage is also on 95.7 The Boss (Omaha), KRVN (Lexington), KOLT (Scottsbluff) and KTIC (West Point).

ABOUT OMAHA SUPERNOVAS   

The Omaha Supernovas aim 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 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

COURTESY OMAHA SUPERNOVAS COMMUNICATIONS