<\/p>\n
Orlando Valkyries middle blocker Bre Kelley (21) and setter Hannah Pukis (2) attempt a block against the\u00a0Indy Ignite\u00a0on Friday night at\u00a0Fishers Event Center.<\/p>\n
Courtesy of the Orlando Valkyries<\/p>\n
Orlando Valkyries\u00a0fell 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\u00a0third straight loss.<\/p>\n
The setback also snapped the Valkyries\u2019 four-match road winning streak, shifting the defending champions to 4-1 away from home after opening the season undefeated on the road.<\/p>\n
Orlando entered the match shorthanded once again, with outside hitter Charitie Luper<\/a> unavailable, opposite hitter Brittany Abercrombie<\/a> sidelined with a foot injury\u00a0and setter Chompoo Guedpard<\/a> now unavailable due to a finger injury.<\/p>\n Hannah Pukis<\/a> stepped into the setter role as the Valkyries adjusted their lineup.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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 \u2014 including back-to-back service aces to seal the set.<\/p>\n 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.\u00a0The Ignite closed with another service ace to end the set from outside hitter Anna DeBeer, winning 22-25\u00a0and taking a 2-1 match lead.<\/p>\n A lengthy opening rally went Indy\u2019s 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.\u00a0<\/p>\n 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<\/a> led Orlando\u2019s attack in the set, hitting .300 on 10 swings.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Both teams struggled offensively overall, finishing with team hitting percentages below .200.<\/p>\n