FISHERS, Ind. -- The Indy Ignite are new to Indianapolis and they have already made waves in the volleyball community. They are the newest team to the Pro Volleyball Federation and the newest team to Indy.
The Ignite started the season strong at 4-4 and are currently 5th in the PVF, which is a young league in only it’s second year.
Last Thursday, the Ignite lost in three straight sets to the reigning champs the Omaha Supernovas, marking their first home loss of the season. While not winning a single set, the Ignite put up a fight losing the sets 22-25, 23-25 and 22-25. The Ignite started off each set strong, but the Supernovas didn’t give up and turned it on at the end of the sets.
“We were in it, sets one, sets two, like we were right in it and then as soon as we got to the red zone, like the end of sets, they pushed a little bit and we kind of laid back on our heels a little bit,” setter Sydney Hilley said.
The scoreboard might not do justice to the performance put on by the Ignite. Outside hitter, Leketor Member-Meneh got 19 kills which led the team and opposite hitter Azhani Tealer got 14 on the night. Hilley racked up during the game. Yorktown native and libero Kylie Murr recorded seven digs, as well.
“I definitely think there are a lot of good things that happened, like Isabel [Martin] did a good job stepping up, Carly [Skjodt] did great tonight when she came in, having CeCe back in, I think people who came in off the bench did a good job,” Hilley said, “There were definitely good moments, but stuff to learn from too.”
The sets were close, but in the crucial moments of the sets, the team ,self admittedly, couldn’t close. The stadium got heated during a controversial call in the third set and head coach George Padjen stepped in to challenge the call. While the call was overturned, it didn’t help the Ignite get over the hump. Padjen was aware of the mistakes in the late moments and wants to work on it.
“If you can execute, you’re going to be great and I think that is where we’re focused on this year, just making sure we execute,” Padjen said, “We just came up short a couple times, where it’s like those aren’t plays we usually make.”
After the loss on Thursday, the team flew to Orlando and lost to the Valkyries 3-1. The loss brings their season total to 3-1 at home and 1-3 on the road. The Ignite are back in action on Thursday night to play the 3-5 San Diego Mojo at home in Fishers.
Contact Josiah Veen with comments at josiah.veen@bsu.edu.
