NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In addition to serving as an assistant coach for Vanderbilt’s reinstated volleyball program, Azhani Tealer plays professionally as an opposite with the Indy Ignite.
“It’s been a blast watching Z compete against the best with the Indy Ignite,” Vanderbilt head coach Anders Nelson said. “Not only is her career inspirational for our student-athletes, it’s also a testament that discipline and hard work turn dreams into reality. We’re so proud she represents Vanderbilt volleyball!”
After playing with the Orlando Valkyries in the inaugural season of the Pro Volleyball Federation, Tealer was signed to the Ignite in summer 2024.
🔥🏐 NEWS: Thrilled to welcome 2-Time AVCA All-America and 4-Time All-SEC Player, @AzhaniTealer to #IndyIgniteVB!
Tap the link for more exciting player updates: https://t.co/JaXSgzKs3u #IndyIgniteVB | @RealProVB pic.twitter.com/IIwEasIZ3h
— Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball (@IndyIgniteVB) June 30, 2024
The Ignite opened their season with three straight wins and was the PVF’s only unbeaten team after two weeks of play. They then dropped a four-setter to the San Diego Mojo.
Tealer recorded a season-high 19 kills, hit .370 and added three blocks in the Ignite’s season-opening win over the Valkyries (13-25, 25-19, 25-17, 25-21).
After dropping its first set to Orlando, Indy recorded six straight set wins to secure the victory over the Valkyries and sweep the Grand Rapids Rise in Match 2 (25-18, 28-26, 25-16). Tealer was once again in double figures with 10 kills and a block in the win over Grand Rapids.
“We’re kind of gritty, we’re ready to fight whenever it comes down to it, and we’re not going to be just walked on,” Tealer said.
Teamwork makes the dream work. 🔥 #IndyIgniteVB #IgniteTheFire pic.twitter.com/BHiBIKBeRo
— Indy Ignite Pro Volleyball (@IndyIgniteVB) January 17, 2025
Indy continued its unbeaten streak, grinding out a five-set win on the road in Columbus (28-18, 32-30, 19-25, 22-25, 15-11). The Ignite won Sets 1 and 2 but were left fending off the reverse sweep after the Fury took the next two sets. Tealer sealed the win for Indy in the fifth with two kills to cap the 15-11 win. She also recorded a season-high 12 digs in the match.
In San Diego, Indy started things off with a 25-18 win in Set 1 but lost momentum in the following sets, which the Mojo won by scores of 25-17, 30-28 and 25-19. The Mojo recorded at least one rally of five-plus points in each of the…