University of Hawaiʻi women’s volleyball alumna Amber Igiede was drafted as the seventh pick in the first round by the Omaha Supernovas of the newly established Professional Volleyball Federation’s inaugural draft held on December 11. Omaha drafted five players headlined by Igiede in the five-round, league-wide draft for U.S. college players. Thirty-five collegiate standouts earned the right to compete for a spot to continue their careers as pros in the United States.
“I’m super excited and honored to be picked to the Omaha Supernovas,” Igiede said. “This is an amazing opportunity, and I am really looking forward to playing for great coaches and coming to Omaha in January. What a great and exciting time for volleyball!”
“Our coaching staff has invested so many hours in preparing for this draft, and we are ecstatic with our selections,” Supernovas Head Coach Shelton Collier said. “Our first pick, Amber Igiede, is no doubt one of the top middle blockers in the country.”
All five draftees will join the current roster in January as they attempt to make the Supernovas’ final roster. All federation teams will cut down to 14-person rosters ahead of their season openers, with two additional roster spots saved for college draftees for a total of 16 players. The Supernovas will host the first Pro Volleyball Federation match on January 24, 2024, as Omaha takes on the Atlanta Vibe.
Igiede earned Big West Championship Most Valuable Player honors after helping lead the Rainbow Wahine to their fourth-straight Big West title. Igiede, who was voted to the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) All-North Region First Team concluded the season as the No. 2 middle blocker in both total points (540) and points/set (4.62) in the NCAA Division I, and was tied for No. 21 with a .396 hitting percentage. She finished the regular season leading The Big West in kills/set (3.79), hitting percentage (.401), points (516.5) and points/set (4.70). Igiede finished as the No. 3 middle blocker with 1,371 kills in the NCAA career active records list.
