AU Pro Volleyball Athletes Shine Bright for Orlando Valkyries as Playoffs Approach
With just two matches left in the regular season, the Orlando Valkyries are hitting their stride — and it’s in large part thanks to the dominant performances of three Athletes Unlimited Pro Volleyball players, Brittany Abercrombie, Lindsey Vander Weide, and Kaz Brown.
The trio powered Orlando to back-to-back wins this week, first over Indy Ignite and then the Columbus Fury, helping the Valkyries lock in the No. 3 seed heading into the playoffs on May 9.
The first statement win came against Indy Ignite, where Abercrombie led the charge with 16 kills, 13 digs, and two blocks. Her all-around play set the tone for Orlando, but it was Brown’s performance in the middle that added a crucial spark. Brown hammered 10 kills on a jaw-dropping .529 hitting percentage and added two blocks. M’Kaela White also contributed at the net with two key blocks and a kill, providing solid support and helping keep Indy out of rhythm offensively, showing just how dangerous Orlando’s attack is when the middles are involved.
But the real fireworks came in the second match against the Columbus Fury. Abercrombie and her AU Pro Volleyball peer, outside hitter Vander Weide, were lights out. The duo dominated from the pins, with Abercrombie racking up 22 kills and Vander Weide adding 20 of her own. Both hit over .300 on the night, making them one of the most difficult opposite-outside combos to defend in the league. With both players firing on all cylinders, defenses were left guessing, and splits in the block became inevitable. When both the opposite and outside are that effective, it becomes nearly impossible for defenses to stay disciplined. Blockers are forced to make tough reads from pin to pin, and Orlando took full advantage.
“Brittany is such a true pro,” Brown said following the win over Columbus. “You see her light it up on the court, but the reason for her success has been the amount of work she puts in when no one’s looking. It definitely motivates you and brings the best out of yourself.”
The chemistry is real, and it’s clear this team is locked in — playing for each other and peaking at just the right time. With every player stepping up, the Valkyries are proving they’re more than just a team with stars—they’re a team with depth, grit, and purpose.
Orlando now turns its focus to their next test against the Grand Rapids Rise this Wednesday. They will travel to face Grand Rapids Rise on Wednesday, April 30th at 7 p.m. EST. You can watch the game live on the Roku Channel and you can expect to see six Athletes Unlimited players in the matchup.
ORLANDO VALKYRIES
- Kaz Brown
- Brittany Abercrombie
- M’Kaela White
- Lindsey Vander Weide
GRAND RAPID RISE
- Paige Briggs
- Sherridan Atkinson
Alex Jean Glover is a former collegiate volleyball player and multi-sport reporter, serving as a correspondent for Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram @alexjeannnn.
