Mojo snag third seed as Pro Volleyball Federation playoffs set

The Pro Volleyball Federation still has three more matches remaining to its inaugural regular season, but they will have no bearing on the playoffs that start Wednesday in Omaha. 

The top-seeded Atlanta Vibe (19-5), who have been off since May 2, play the fourth-seeded Grand Rapids Rise (11-12) in the first semifinal. They have split their four matches this season.

The second seed went to the Omaha Supernovas (16-7), who will be at home in the CHI Health Center. They play the surging San Diego Mojo (12-11), who not only got themselves into the final four, took the third seed. They also split their four matches this season.

Saturday, the Mojo are at the fifth-place Columbus Fury (8-15) for their third match in five days. San Diego beat visiting Columbus on Tuesday to clinch a playoff spot. 

Also Saturday, the Vegas Thrill (8-15) play the last-place Orlando Valkyries.

The regular season ends Sunday with Omaha at Grand Rapids.

MOJO MOVING UP: San Diego, once 1-5, opened the week with that victory over Columbus and then Thursday won the third seed with a five-set win at Orlando. At 12-11, San Diego is above .500 for the first time.

Lindsey Vander Weide went off for 30 kills, most by a Mojo player this season, and added an ace, two assists, 14 digs and four blocks, one solo. She had seven errors in 58 attacks. Temi Thomas-Ailara had 14 kills, 16 digs and five blocks, two solo. Notsoora Tomkom had 50 assists and 10 digs in the 23-25, 25-17, 20-25, 25-20, 15-6 victory.

Orlando’s Jill Gillen had 16 kills, an assist, 12 digs and four blocks, one solo. Kaz Brown had 14 kills and Azhani Tealer 13. Georgia Murphy had 18 digs and 12 assists.

OMAHA SWEEPS: The Supernovas beat visiting Columbus 27-25, 25-23, 25-21. Stephanie Samedy led a balanced attack with 12 kills, two aces, six digs and four block assists. Bethania De La Cruz had 10 kills and Tori Dixon eight to go with six blocks, two solo.

Kendall Kipp had 15 kills for the Fury to go with two aces, 10 digs and three blocks, one solo.