Pornpun leads the Valkyries to first PVF title

The Orlando Valkyries became the second team to triumph in the Pro Volleyball Federation on Sunday as the club from Florida came out on top in the American League’s second season’s Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The third-best team in the regular season, the Valkyries won two matches in three days at Lee’s Family Forum to join the Omaha Supernovas, the 2024 champions, in the league’s Hall of Honor.

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After eliminating second-seeded Atlanta Vibe in the semifinals on Friday, the Valkyries faced the surprising Indy Ignite, who advanced to the Championship in fourth place and took down the top-seeded and defending champions Supernovas, in the tournament’s gold medal match.

Led by Thai star setter Pornpun Guedpard and Puerto Rican high-scoring opposite Brittany Abercrombie, the Valkyries produced a 3-1 (25-21, 25-19, 19-25, 25-15) victory to take the title in Las Vegas.

In her first season with the team, the 32-year-old Pornpun made a difference for the Valkyries in the gold medal match, registering 37 assists and a team-high 12 digs. She was awarded as the Championship MVP for her performance on Sunday.

“I love this team,” she said after the match. “I may have won the trophy, but I want to share it with the entire team and our fans. Thank you very much.”

It was the seventh national title won by the Asian star, who won the Thai League five times and the Indonesian League once.

The MVP of the league’s regular season, Abercrombie also came up big for the Valkyries in Sunday’s match, leading the team’s scoring efforts with an impressive 31 points, registered with 27 kills, three blocks and one ace.

The Ignite, who made it to the final in their first season in the league, got 16 points (all in kills) from opposite Azhani Tealer and another 12 (eight kills, two blocks, two aces) from middle blocker Lydia Martyn.

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