Assigning superlatives in the 2024-25 PVF Draft
Here's my favorite and least favorite picks, and the one I'm most intrigued by.
Favorite Pick: Anna DeBeer, Indy Ignite
Trading out of the top pick in a draft is a difficult decision to make, but I loved Indy’s choice to drop one spot in the first round and pick up the ninth overall selection and a third rounder next year in the process. They did the obvious thing by using the second overall pick to draft Anna DeBeer, who was being bandied about by the commentators as the likely first overall pick had Indy held onto their initial spot. This isn’t exactly a mind-blowing pick for my favorite selection of the draft, but just like the team, I’m not going to overthink it.
DeBeer’s fit with the Ignite is immaculate. They needed a running mate for Lekator Member-Meneh on the left side, and DeBeer is just about as good as it gets in the draft. After Madi Skinner, she was regarded as the second-best returning college senior prior to the 2024 season and didn’t let the nation down. Hitting .255 doesn’t scream “superstar,” but it hides that she was one of the best six rotation hitters out there while playing in a tough volleyball conference. She consistently rises to the occasion and had two of her best games against Pitt and Florida State, hardly slouches in their own right.
I was already excited for the Ignite’s debut campaign, and adding DeBeer to the squad does nothing to dull that excitement.
Least Favorite Pick: Emily Londot, Omaha Supernovas
In my immediate reactions article, I labeled Omaha’s draft class as my least favorite among its peers, but I've largely come around to their way of thinking. The Supernovas already have a group of talented hitters on roster — Brooke Nuneviller, Reagan Cooper, and international veteran Jovana Mirosavljević is a trio that means business. By selecting four consecutive hitters in the middle rounds of the PVF draft, they are giving themselves the best shot at finding a capable backup without putting their eggs in one basket.
I initially quibbled with the players they selected, but that was shortsighted on my part. By putting these high-ceiling athletes to the test against each other, they will give themselves the chance to unlock a new gear in one. Nevertheless, by making her the tenth overall pick in the draft, the Supernovas have made Ohio State’s Emily Londot the presumptive first among equals in this camp battle. That's a decision I just can't get behind.
Londot will put on the occasional showcase of truly lethal capabilities and is a competent six rotation player, but I want more than that from a second round draftee. Her unquestionably powerful swing is too often out of control and she will at times play down to the competition. I have to think that Omaha believes in their ability to tap into her physique, but it's worth noting that she hasn't gotten substantially better in years. I can understand why a team may want to get her in the building, but in my mind, this pick comes with too much opportunity cost for the player Omaha is getting.
Most Intriguing Pick: Mia Tuaniga, Atlanta Vibe
One of the biggest draft day surprises for me was that, compared to last season, PVF teams had little interest in investing their draft capital with top college setters. What should not have been a surprise is that the Vibe were one of just three teams to select one. Adding Tuaniga to their roster fits neatly with the spirit of competition that the Vibe are clearly taking into their training camp.
Atlanta are no strangers to the idea of carrying three setters — last season, they took Bower into the regular season on the practice squad with Monserez and Tori Dilfer-Stringer on the active roster. Trading Dilfer-Stringer to the Fury midseason was an expression of confidence in Monserez that paid off big time; they were the regular season champs behind Monserez and used the trade to eventually acquire Merritt Beason.
Having brought back both Monserez and Bower for the 2025 season, I'm just dying to know where within that pecking order the newly drafted Tuaniga fits. Presumably, the Atlanta coaches have more faith in their returners than the rookie at the moment, but how much of a chance will Tuaniga be given to win a job in camp? Will they be willing to commit a practice squad position to a setter for significant portions of the season? Could Tuaniga, who is an aggressive server, have a chance to win a job as a serving specialist? I'll be watching Atlanta closely to find out.
Bonus
Sleeper: Abby Walker, Columbus Fury
Best Value: Elena Oglivie, Grand Rapids Rise
Most Impactful: Devyn Robinson, San Diego Mojo
Dark Horse: Bianca Bertolino, Atlanta Vibe