Blackwell Erupts for Career Night in Supernovas' Four-Set Loss to Grand Rapids

Omaha middle blocker Leyla Blackwell delivers standout performance, but Supernovas fall short against Grand Rapids Rise.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 7:01pm

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A fractured, multi-perspective painting in bold, geometric shapes and vibrant colors representing the volleyball match between the Omaha Supernovas and Grand Rapids Rise, conveying the dynamic action and competitive spirit of the game.A cubist interpretation of the intense volleyball action between the Omaha Supernovas and Grand Rapids Rise, capturing the raw energy and competitive spirit of the match.Omaha Today

Omaha Supernovas middle blocker Leyla Blackwell came off the bench to deliver the best match of her professional career, posting a team-high .444 hitting percentage with 10 kills and two blocks. However, the Grand Rapids Rise spoiled Blackwell's breakout performance, winning the match 3-1 in front of 7,701 fans at the CHI Health Center.

Why it matters

Blackwell's career night was a bright spot for the Supernovas, who are fighting for playoff positioning in the MLV. The loss to the Rise, who entered the match with an 8-14 record, was a missed opportunity for Omaha to gain ground in the standings.

The details

Blackwell entered the match to start the second set and made an immediate impact, recording 10 kills and two blocks. Veteran outside hitter Sarah Parsons led the Supernovas with 15 points, while opposite Merritt Beason also had a strong game off the bench with 11 points. However, the Rise defense was the difference, totaling 104 digs in the four-set victory.

  • The match took place on Friday, April 13, 2026 in Omaha, Nebraska.

The players

Leyla Blackwell

A second-year middle blocker for the Omaha Supernovas who delivered the best performance of her professional career.

Sarah Parsons

A veteran outside hitter for the Omaha Supernovas who led the team with 15 points.

Merritt Beason

An opposite hitter for the Omaha Supernovas who came off the bench to contribute 11 points.

Camryn Turner

The second-year setter for the Grand Rapids Rise who compiled a match-high 28 digs and 47 assists.

Carli Snyder

An outside hitter for the Grand Rapids Rise who paced the offense with 14 kills and 22 digs.

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What they’re saying

“We love him. We've been working all season long, and it's been really cool in the past few days to see Thomas and Blake (Rawlins) stepping into pretty much the same role but just being our biggest supporters. We respect them so much, and we've got their backs, and they've got ours. That's the best sort of relationship you can have as a player and coach.”

— Leyla Blackwell, Omaha Supernovas middle blocker

“I'd say I'm an emotional coach in the sense that I'm a very positive coach. I like to find the positive in pretty much everything. At the end of the day, we're all here playing a sport we love or coaching a sport we love. There are so many other things going on. I could be sitting in an office working a nine-to-five job. You can't be upset in situations like this. Yeah, we wanted to win, but we've got more opportunities. This isn't a win-or-go-home situation. Honestly, I like our matchup with Dallas, too. I'm excited for that.”

— Thomas Robson, Interim head coach, Omaha Supernovas

What’s next

The Supernovas return to Kiewit Court at CHI Health Center on Sunday, April 12, at 4 p.m. CDT to face the second-place Dallas Pulse (16-6) in a pivotal matchup for playoff positioning.

The takeaway

Blackwell's career night was a bright spot for the Supernovas, but the team's inability to overcome the Rise's stifling defense resulted in a missed opportunity to gain ground in the playoff race. The Supernovas will need to regroup quickly as they face a crucial matchup against the Dallas Pulse with postseason implications on the line.