By Annie Walker
4 25 2024
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Valkyries will take on the Columbus Fury on Friday, April 26 at 7 p.m. The match will take place at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena and will be streamed on YouTube.
This will be the fourth and final meeting between Orlando (7-12) and Columbus (6-11). The Valkyries lead the season series 2-1. Orlando is looking to get back in the win column after a four-game skid, while Columbus is coming off a four-set victory over the Atlanta Vibe.
Valkyries Players to Watch:
Shainah Joseph had her best hitting percentage (.484) of the season in the Valkyries last match against Atlanta. She led the Valkyries with 16 total points (15 kills and one ace). In 16 matches this season, Joseph is averaging 9.7 points and 9.6 kills. Joseph, an opposite hitter, has over seven years of professional experience. She’s played for teams in France, Japan, the Philippines, Taiwan and Bulgaria, and currently represents the Canadian national team. Noteworthy achievements from Joseph’s collegiate career at the University of Florida include being named to the SEC All-Conference, AVCA All-American Second Team, along with being a pivotal member of the NCAA runner-up team in 2017.
Kaz Brown recorded 11 total points (6 kills, four blocks and an ace) against the Vibe. In 19 matches this season, Brown is averaging 12.3 points, 8.8 kills and 3.1 blocks. The 6-foot-4 middle blocker has five years of professional volleyball experience, which included stops in Germany, France, Ukraine and Greece. Brown attended the University of Kentucky, where she was a standout player and earned three-time All-SEC and three-time AVCA All-Region honors. She ended her collegiate career as the Wildcats’ career record holder for total blocks, solo blocks, and block assists. Because of her standout play, Brown was selected to the US Collegiate National Team in 2016-17.
Fury Players to Watch:
Kendall Kipp recorded 31 total points (26 kills, three blocks and two aces) in the Fury’s last match against the Vibe. The opposite hitter was acquired via free agency earlier this month. In three matches, Kipp is averaging 4.7 kills per set. A first-year pro, Kipp began her professional career in Italy with IL Bisonte Firenze. She played collegiate volleyball at the University of Stanford, where she won a national championship in 2019. Kipp is a two-time AVCA Pacific North Region Player of the Year (2022 and 2023) and a two-time Pac-12 Player of the Year (2022 and 2023).
Reagan Cooper is averaging 4.1 kills per set. She’s played in 16 matches and is averaging 16.2 points and 14.9 kills. Cooper was named the Pro Volleyball Federation’s Player of the Week in week 5 after leading her team to three victories and recording 58 kills. The outside hitter was drafted by the Fury in the second round of the first-ever Pro Volleyball Federation Draft. Cooper’s achievements include being named a third-team All-American in 2023 during her time with the Kansas Jayhawks. Prior to joining Kansas, she spent three seasons at Texas Tech after a one-year stint at Washington State. At Texas Tech, she totaled 702 kills and 118 blocks while ranking among the team’s leaders in kills. During her lone season at Kansas, Cooper finished second on the team in kills with 363 and led in kills per set with an average of 3.86 on a .346 hitting percentage.
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 ORLANDO VALKYRIES
The Orlando Valkyries, proud member team in the Pro Volleyball Federation — the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. The Valkyries, which began play in January 2024, plays out of Addition Financial Arena, located in the heart of the University of Central Florida campus. Tickets are on sale now. For more information on how to get tickets, contact the Orlando Valkyries sales department at (321)-244-4600 Ext. 113, email Tickets@OrlandoValkyries.com, click on OrlandoValkyries.com, visit the Addition Financial Arena box office or go to the Ticketmaster website: Ticketmaster.com. Fans can follow the team on Facebook or via X, Instagram and TikTok — @ORLValkyries or visit OrlandoValkyries.com.
* Orlando Valkyries, Pro Volleyball, DIG IT! *
COURTESY ORLANDO VALKYRIES COMMUNICATIONS
