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Five Supernovas competing in famed international competition, including four on the U.S. Team & de la Cruz with Dominican Republic
Omaha, Neb. – This week, the Omaha Supernovas, Nebraska’s major league team in the Professional Volleyball Federation (PVF), will have five players competing in the prestigious 2023 NORCECA Final Six championships, being held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Veteran volleyball superstar, Bethania “Betty” de la Cruz, will be competing in her home country with the Dominican Republic national team. Representing the U.S. are setter Sydney Hilley, middle blocker Danielle Hart, outside hitter Brooke Nuneviller and libero Kendall White.
“To have five Supernovas in this prestigious international tournament is monumental – coupled with four playing such a vital role in yesterday’s win,” said Omaha Supernovas President, Diane Mendenhall. “Their performance is truly generating enthusiasm, in Omaha and throughout Nebraska, in anticipation of the inaugural pro volleyball season in early 2024. We see this interest in tremendous season ticket sales, where fans will have the opportunity to see these phenomenal world-class athletes and major league sports for the first time, here in Nebraska.”
Last week in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Team defeated the Dominican Republic for the bronze medal in a hotly contested match in the Pan American Games. Both teams return to action this week in the NORCECA Final Six event. The U.S. Team started the competition in dominant fashion, sweeping Canada, 3-0.
Winning more than 40 awards in international competitions and professional leagues around the world, de la Cruz is an impressive superstar athlete. She has numerous international awards to include most valuable player, best spiker, best server and best outside hitter, while playing professional seasons in Japan, Korea, Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
“Betty is an international celebrity, and especially popular in that region of the world, so it’s exciting for her to have an opportunity to play in the Dominican Republic in front of her loyal fans while still being recognized on the international stage,” said Supernovas Head Coach Shelton Collier. “It would be exciting to see another U.S. versus Dominican Republic rematch in this event like we just experienced at the Pan Am Games.”
University of Wisconsin alumna, Hilley, brings two years of professional experience with her, playing in Turkey for VakıfBank S.K., and a season in Puerto Rico with Atenienses de Manati. White, a star at Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), played two years as a pro in France for Terville-Florange OC.
University of Oregan star and alumna, Nuneviller, had a successful debut playing for Nilufer Belediyespor in Turkey. Hart graduated from Wisconsin as a first team All-American and a four-time Big Ten champion.
“For our USA players, this is yet another incredible opportunity for them to compete internationally and continue to develop valuable experience that will certainly contribute to their success when they transition to play for Omaha in January,” said Collier. “Our entire franchise is proud that we have so many players representing our USA National Team program, and, of course Betty with D.R.’s team.”
In addition to the U.S. Team, Canada, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Puerto Rico are also competing. The U.S. Team opened with Canada, followed by Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. The championship match is scheduled for August 26.
Today, the U.S. will face Puerto Rico (0-1) at 4 p.m. CT / 2 p.m. PT.
The Omaha Supernovas aims to be the premier home of professional volleyball throughout the world. The team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha.
The Omaha Supernovas will begin competition in the Pro Volleyball Federation’s 2024 inaugural season with 24 total matches (12 home and 12 away) over a 16-week regular season. The Supernovas will begin competing in early 2024 and play into mid-May when they will be chasing the PVF National Championship title. Supernovas season tickets for CHI Health Center home matches are on sale now through the team’s website www.supernovas.com.
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL pro volleyball and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in early 2024 with world class athletes and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America.
