The Orlando Valkyries lost 3-0 to the Indy Ignite on Thursday in Addition Financial Arena. The Valkyries lost all four championship rematches on the season and were eliminated from the playoff race because of the loss.
“I thought tonight we actually made some pretty uncharacteristic errors,” Orlando Valkyries coach Amy Pauly said. “I think that we had way too many net violations, which is something that we don’t do very often. Then, we just got stuck in one rotation, every single set, and that really is kind of what bit us in the butt. I liked our effort. I liked our competitiveness tonight. I liked the adjustments we made throughout the match, but overall, again, couldn’t put a complete game together.”
Leketor Member-Meneh led the match with 12 kills, while Zoe Weatherington led the Valkyries with eight kills. Orlando was held to .178 hitting percentage, dropping to 1-13 in matches where they are kept below .200. On the three-game homestand, the Valkyries did not win a set, were kept to a .148 hitting percentage, and allowed a .311 percentage.
“I think [our struggles are] a combo [of offense and defense],” Pauly said. “Obviously if we were hitting a higher percentage, the other team probably wouldn’t. So I’d love that complete game, really looking for a complete game from everybody.”
The first set saw a new starting lineup for Orlando, with reigning MLV MVP Brittany Abercrombie, 2025 Finals MVP Chompoo Guedpard, and team captain Kaz Brown sitting. Recent signee Zoe Weatherington got her first start after impressive performances in the last two matches.
“We haven’t won, so why not [try out new lineups]?” Pauly said. “We have started out really slow, which I think was the real kicker.”
In the match, the Valkyries only led for 15 points of the 118 in the match. Orlando has not won a set in Addition Financial Arena since before the All-Star Break.
“I know that they show up and give their best effort every day, whether they’re tired, sick, exhausted, whatever, just got off of a plane,” Pauly said. “I talk about it all the time in practice. I think how we practice is really hard. It’s really aggressive.”
Next up:
The Valkyries head to Grand Rapids to face the red-hot Rise on Saturday. The Rise have won five-straight matches and are looking to make a late playoff push.
“We got to keep looking for answers,” Pauly said. “If your number is not where it needs to be and through a set, then we’ll look to make a change for the next one. I think we’ve been pretty consistent as a coaching staff with that. It’s just can we get mentally reset? Can we put a good scout together and try to stop a really hot Grand Rapids team?”
First serve against the Rise is set for 7 p.m. on April 25.