COLUMBUS, Ohio. — On a Sunday afternoon at Nationwide Arena, the San Diego Mojo clinched a spot in the Pro Volleyball Federation playoffs. With a commanding 3-0 sweep of the Columbus Fury, 26-24, 25-23, 25-18, San Diego secured their place among the league's final four, a milestone made all the more remarkable by the circumstances surrounding it.
Less than 48 hours removed from a hard-fought five-set match on Friday night, the Mojo (14-12) traveled to Columbus for their final time this season. San Diego posted 50 kills and limited Columbus (5-21) to just 46 total points in the three sets. It was the kind of composed performance that first-year head coach Alisha Childress has been building toward all season.
San Diego Mojo versus Columbus Fury Highlights. Credit: Major League Volleyball
What a turnaround for the team and Childress. The Mojo started the season 1-6, won a franchise-record 14 matches, and punched the team’s ticket to the playoffs.
Although the Mojo had 19 errors in the match, including nine on the serve, the team won the big points, the points that finish off a set. They won the points that were elusive at the start of the season.
The Mojo fought from behind for most of the first set. Down 19-17, the Mojo tied it at 19, only for the Fury to go up 21-19 and 23-21. The Mojo won three straight to get a set point at 24-23. The Mojo lost set point, but maintained their composure. Following the 24-24 tie, the next point crossed the net a staggering 15 times, with the Mojo winning it on a Maya Tabron kill to go up 25-24. The Mojo won the set on a Fury error, 26-24.
The second set was also close throughout. The teams were tied at 20-20, and eventually the Mojo went up 24-22. The Fury won the next point off a block by former Mojo player Regan Pittman-Nelson to save a set point and move to 24-23. The Fury were initially awarded the following point to tie the game but the Mojo challenged and won it. With the successful challenge, the Mojo won the set 25-23.
The third set was less complicated. After tying the game at 1-1, the Mojo led the rest of the way, winning it by seven, 25-18.
Grace Loberg and Jovana Brakocevic led the Mojo attack with 16 points and two blocks each. Allison Jacobs also had a big night with nine kills, one block, one ace, and nine digs.
Setter Marlie Monserez was exceptional in her ability to distribute the ball, contributing 40 assists. Libero Shara Venegas led the team with 10 digs.
The Mojo served five aces as a team to two for the Fury, and held Columbus to just a .190 attack efficiency. Terry Raina led the Fury with 13 points while Megan Lush contributed 10 points.
With two regular-season matches still remaining, the Mojo now have the luxury of using those contests as preparation for their semifinal showdown on May 7 at Comerica Center in Frisco, Texas.
San Diego now awaits its semifinal opponent as playoff seeding continues to take shape across the league. The Mojo have two more regular-season matches to fine-tune their game before heading to Frisco on May 7. After the roller-coaster start to this season, this team — and its fans — have every reason to believe the best is still to come.
Next Up
The Mojo play their final home game of the season on Thursday at 7 p.m. against the Grand Rapids Rise at San Diego State’s Viejas Arena. Get your discounted tickets here.
Top photo: Courtesy Columbus Fury
