The Indy Ignite are coming off an incredible inaugural season in the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), now known as Major League Volleyball (MLV)! The Ignite made a tremendous impact on the league, capturing the hearts of fans and establishing themselves as a powerhouse in professional volleyball. Though the season ended with a runner-up finish to the Orlando Valkyries, the team's performance was nothing short of remarkable, marking a thrilling new chapter in Indiana's sports landscape.
The 2025 Ignite celebrate after earning a point (Indy Ignite)
2025 Playoff Journey
After finishing 13-15 in the regular season – good enough to earn the final playoff bid as the No. 4 seed – the Ignite faced a tough challenge in the semifinal round against top-seeded Omaha, who went 21-7 in the regular season. The Ignite had dropped three of four matches (0-3, 0-3, 2-3, 3-0) against the Supernovas during the regular season, but they pulled off a stunning five-set upset, proving they had the talent and resilience to overcome the odds and secure a spot in the championship match.
In the final, the Ignite took on the third-seeded Orlando Valkyries. In four regular-season matches, the Ignite split with the Valkyries (3-1, 1-3, 3-2, 1-3), setting up a championship tiebreaker with $1 million on the line. Unfortunately, the Ignite fell in four sets, but their runner-up finish marked a historic moment for the team and the league.
Key Players and Returners
Throughout their inaugural season, the Ignite were powered by a blend of experienced players and promising rookies. Sydney Hilley, who was named PVF Setter of the Year, played a pivotal role in guiding the team’s offense, setting up her teammates for success and finishing the season with a league-record 1,277 assists. The 2026 Ignite will be without Hilley, however, as she signed with Omaha, who she helped lead to a PVF championship in 2024.
Azhani Tealer also stepped up with consistent performances, leading the team in scoring throughout the season and in the championship match. Other significant contributors include Nina Cajic, Lydia Martyn and Caroline Crawford, but Martyn is the only one of the trio back on the ‘26 team with Tealer.
2026 Schedule
The 2026 MLV season begins in January and ends with the championship match in mid-May.
As for the Ignite, who play their home games at the Fishers Event Center, there are 14 home matches on their schedule:
Jan. 24 vs. Omaha
Jan. 29 vs. Atlanta
Jan. 31 vs. Dallas
Feb. 6 vs. Grand Rapids
Feb. 13 vs. Orlando
Feb. 15 vs. San Diego
March 1 vs. Omaha
March 8 vs. Grand Rapids
March 12 vs. Orlando
March 19 vs. Columbus
April 12 vs. Atlanta
April 19 vs. Dallas
May 1 vs. Columbus
May 3 vs. San Diego
Tickets
Don’t miss out on the action at Fishers Event Center! Ignite single game tickets, season tickets, group tickets, (parties of 10 or more), and premium & suites are all available for purchase.
Shelby Zellmer & Cheyne Reiter
Sports
Monday, November 10, 2025
