One word describes end to Indy Ignite's record-setting season. They're already gearing up for 2027
· Yahoo Sports
FRISCO, TX — For the third season in a row, the top seed of the Major League Volleyball playoffs was upset by the fourth seed in the semifinals.
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On Thursday night, the Indy Ignite bore the curse. Two teams took different paths to the semifinals, and it was the Ignite who took a 2-1 lead. But Omaha battled back for a 25-20 win in Set 4, and stormed back from down 8-5 to win 15-13 in a decisive fifth set.
“No other word for it than brutal,” Ignite coach Lauren Bertolacci said. “I feel very disappointed for the girls that worked so hard this season. They deserve to be fighting for a championship.”
In 2025, the Ignite completed the upset against No. 1 Omaha, advancing to the championship. In 2026, the two squads split their season series 2-2. In the end Thursday, Omaha (15-14) got the last laugh.
“They’re a phenomenal team,” interim Supernovas coach Thomas Robson said. “You really have to challenge them from the serve line. You have to take risks. Tonight, we took risks, and they paid off.”
In her first season as Ignite coach, Bertolacci steered Indy to an MLV-record 23 regular-season wins. Bertolacci’s team boasted four MLV first-teamers – middle blocker Lydia Martyn, libero Elena Scott, opposite hitter Azhani Tealer and setter Mia Tuaniga.
Martyn, who finished second in MLV kill percentage (49.8) and fourth in efficiency (.355), and had 12 kills against Omaha, played for Ignite in 2025, too. Even in a season where Martyn was impeded by injury (citing herniated discs and torn ligaments), she said Indy’s bond had never been stronger.
“There was so many of us from last season, too, but we didn’t have anything remotely close to just the environment that we have now,” Martyn said.
Omaha’s season couldn’t have been any more different from the Ignite (23-6). The Supernovas barely finished at .500, and had zero players on the first team roster. Robson didn’t even assume the lead coaching role until early April. Despite that, Robson felt that his team was on par with anyone in the league – including the Ignite.
He was proven right, as his team grinded out an impressive five-set win against Indy for the second time this season. Omaha was the only team to defeat Indy in five sets all season.
Despite not reaching their goal of a championship and the $1 million prize, Scott and Martyn both voiced their pride in their teammates.
“I don’t think any other team has the connection we do, which is why this loss brings us so much pain,” Scott said. “It’s really hard to get to this point, only four teams can do it, and we’ve broken records and all of the things. So I’m just super proud of us.”
Martyn, fighting through tears at the postgame news conference, said that even though the results weren’t what she hoped, she’s already ready for next season.
“I’m already thinking about next year,” Martyn said. “I’m very excited for what’s to come.”
Bertolacci already signed a contract extension through 2029, and spoke of wanting to grow the sport in America and bring an entertaining brand. She's won a lot, including six titles in seven seasons with Swiss powerhouse Viteos NUC, which were 207-37.
She stated her goal when she signed with Indy was to win championships, which she'll work toward as the Ignite build for 2027.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indy Ignite have 'brutal' end to MLV record-setting season, look forward to 2027