Orlando Valkyries middle blocker Bre Kelley (21) and setter Hannah Pukis (2) attempt a block against the Indy Ignite on Friday night at Fishers Event Center.
Courtesy of the Orlando Valkyries
Orlando Valkyries fell to the 2025 championship runner-up Indy Ignite for the second time this season at Fishers Event Center on Friday, dropping a 3-1 road matchup for their third straight loss.
The setback also snapped the Valkyries’ four-match road winning streak, shifting the defending champions to 4-1 away from home after opening the season undefeated on the road.
Orlando entered the match shorthanded once again, with outside hitter Charitie Luper unavailable, opposite hitter Brittany Abercrombie sidelined with a foot injury and setter Chompoo Guedpard now unavailable due to a finger injury.
Hannah Pukis stepped into the setter role as the Valkyries adjusted their lineup.
Indy opened the match with early momentum, stringing together a nine-point run in the first set to build control. They pushed ahead to a six-point lead at 18-24 before Orlando mounted a late rally. Despite narrowing the gap, the Valkyries ultimately dropped the opener 21-25.
Orlando responded in set two, taking command early and building a seven-point cushion at 20-13. The Valkyries stayed in control the rest of the way, closing out a 25-20 win to even the match. Maddux led the charge from the service line, recording three aces in the set — including back-to-back service aces to seal the set.
Momentum shifted again in the third as Indy regrouped offensively, with middle blocker Cara Cresse emerging as a key contributor after posting a .571 hitting percentage on seven swings. The Ignite closed with another service ace to end the set from outside hitter Anna DeBeer, winning 22-25 and taking a 2-1 match lead.
A lengthy opening rally went Indy’s way in the fourth, giving the Ignite early momentum as they built a seven-point advantage at 9-16 and maintained control throughout the frame.
Orlando attempted another late push after Indy reached set point at 17-24, but the Valkyries were unable to complete the comeback, falling 20-25 after a service error by Pukis ended the match. Opposite hitter Naya Shime led Orlando’s attack in the set, hitting .300 on 10 swings.
Kelley led Orlando with a .438 hitting percentage on 16 attempts, while Maddux added four service aces; for Indy, Cresse hit .462 on 13 attempts and Tealer totaled 23 kills on 45 swings.
Both teams struggled offensively overall, finishing with team hitting percentages below .200.
Orlando’s next matchup marks a return to Omaha for newly signed setter Mac Podraza, who joined the Valkyries earlier this week, to make her debut. Podraza did not appear in Friday’s match.
Orlando looked to bounce back Sunday night when it travelled to face the Omaha Supernovas at CHI Health Center Arena.