Omaha Supernovas' Lindsay Krause ahead of the 2025 Pro Volleyball Federation season
It truly was a banner night Friday for the Omaha Supernovas.
The Professional Volleyball Federation squad defeated Atlanta in five sets in the season opener for the league's defending champion. The night at the CHI Health Center began with the unfurling of the 2024 championship banner.
A league-record crowd of 13,486 watched as Omaha exacted its revenge against Atlanta with a 22-25, 25-19, 22-25, 25-22, 15-13 victory. The Vibe spoiled Omaha's home opener last year with a five-set win.
Those fans also got some unexpected excitement early in the third set when a low-flying bat buzzed the crowd. There was a five-minute delay during the bat's flight, which was accompanied by the theme music to the TV series "Batman" and the Meat Loaf classic "Bat Out of Hell."
Former Nebraska hitter Merritt Beason received a warm ovation as she was introduced in the Atlanta lineup. The Vibe traded up in the draft, making Beason the overall No. 1 pick.
The loudest pre-match ovation among the Supernovas was reserved for former Husker and Omaha Skutt grad Lindsay Krause. She and ex-Husker Ally Batenhorst received loud cheers when they entered the match.
The teams split the first two sets, forcing a decisive fifth.
Atlanta led 5-4 but Omaha rattled off four straight points -- which included a successful Supernovas challenge -- to grab an 8-5 advantage.
The Vibe got it tied at 11-11 before Brooke Nuneviller stepped up with a pair of kills to put Omaha ahead by two, leading to Atlanta's final timeout. Nuneviller also got the final two kills -- she finished with a team-leading 22 -- to finish off the victory.
Atlanta captured the opening set, taking the lead for good at 8-7 on a kill by Beason. The Vibe's lead grew to five points at 20-15 and then 24-21.
The Supernovas got a short reprieve when a Beason shot originally called good was overturned on review. But the Vibe won the next point on a kill by Shelly Fanning to take a 1-0 advantage.
Omaha tied the match by winning the second set by six. It was tied 12-12 but a block by former Husker Kaitlyn Hord gave the Supernovas the lead for good.
A pair of blocks by Kelsie Payne extended the Supernovas' advantage to 23-19 and Omaha finished off the set two points later on a kill by Reagan Cooper.
Atlanta bounced back to take the third set, pulling away late for a 25-21 win. It was tied 21-21 before the Vibe's McKenna Vicina had consecutive blocks.
An ace by Leah Edmond and a kill from Pia Timer finished off the set.
Omaha got the match tied once again while never trailing in the fourth set. The Supernovas led by six before Atlanta inched with 23-21 on a kill by Lindsay/Holy Family and Wayne State grad Taya Beller.
Two hitting errors by the Vibe, the last on a serve, ended the set and forced the first-to-15 fifth set.
Beason pounded 17 kills to pace Atlanta.
Photos: Omaha Supernovas volleyball hosts Atlanta Vibe