Courtesy of Nebraska Pro Volleyball
(Omaha, Neb.) In cooperation with the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF), Nebraska Pro Volleyball is bringing a women’s professional team to Omaha. Today, the Omaha-based team, led by Head Coach Shelton Collier, added three prominent offensive forces to the roster: Current USA National Team player, Danielle Hart; high-flying Baylor All American outside hitter, Yossiana “Yossi” Pressley; and former USA National Team veteran, TeTori “Tori” Dixon.
Coach Collier said, “We are excited to bring this powerhouse offensive trio to Omaha. With this group, we now have one of the top middle blockers in the country in Danielle, one of the most exciting and dynamic hitters in the country in Yossi, and a veteran middle blocker with years of elite experience in Tori. All three will add tremendous value as we put together our team for January.”
Danielle Hart is a current USA Team player and 2021 NCAA National Champion. Hart is a Virginia Beach native and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 2022. As a Badger, Hart was a four-time Big 10 Champion, 2022 Third Team American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) All-American, 2022 Big 10 First Team All-American, 2019 and 2022 Big 10 Second Team All-American, and a five-time Academic All-Big 10 Honoree. Hart was also on the 2021 USA Women’s National Team.
Coach Collier said, “Danielle is an exciting addition to the Omaha team for so many reasons. She is currently training with the USA National Team in Anaheim and has a legitimate opportunity to challenge for a position on the 2024 USA Olympic team. She already has a connection and comfort with our setter, Sydney Hilley, from winning a national championship together in Wisconsin, so they will be a dynamic combination to build our team around. In Danielle, we have a young, talented, explosive middle blocker who will certainly be among the most talented players joining the Pro Volleyball Federation this season.”
Hart said, “I am so fired up to be joining Omaha in the chase of a championship with an incredibly talented team. The opportunity to play professionally in the United States and to be a part of the first year in the Pro Volleyball Federation is beyond exciting. Nebraska has always been a fantastic place to play with dedicated fans that are always eager for more volleyball. I look forward to helping build something special in Nebraska.”
Hart added, “Shelton Collier has absolutely hit the ground sprinting. A huge ‘thank you’ to him for all his efforts, as well as the Nebraska Pro Volleyball owners and the Pro Volleyball Federation for pulling the pieces together to make this happen. I look forward to working with such a dedicated coach and so many elite players.”
Yossiana Pressley is a 2021 USA Volleyball Women’s College National Team member. Pressley is from Cypress, TX, and was an outside hitter for Baylor University. Pressley graduated in 2021 and has played professionally since. While at Baylor, Pressley was named a 2021 USA Volleyball Women’s Collegiate National Team member, 2021 All-Big 12 First Team, 2021 AVCA First Team All-American, 2021 NCAA Madison Regional All-Tournament Team, and twice the 2021 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Week. Pressley played professionally with Alsace Mulhouse Volley in Mulhouse, France.
“Yossi is widely regarded as one of the most exciting and dynamic hitters in the country,” said Coach Collier. “She has an amazing vertical jump and has proven that she can be a devastating attacker from the back row and the front row. I am quite sure she will be a fan favorite with the Omaha fans, as she plays with a great competitive spirit and is simply really fun to watch. She was certainly a player we pursued aggressively right away, and we are excited that she will be playing in Omaha.”
Pressley stated, “I am elated to be joining the Omaha team for multiple reasons. The first being that Nebraska is THE volleyball state and has such a huge fanbase with a positive atmosphere. Second, Coach Collier is a well-versed coach who knows the game well, has a great coaching philosophy, and wants to win. Lastly, I am excited to be playing with my future teammates in the United States.”
Pressley added, “When Coach Collier reached out, I couldn’t tell who was more excited, myself or him. His energy will be the game changer for this upcoming season and his knowledge of volleyball will seal the deal. I am humbled to be coached by one of the best and blessed with the opportunity to grow in an environment where my teammates and I will be cared for. Pro Volleyball Federation is bringing professional volleyball to the next level, and I am beyond excited to be part of this special family.”
Tori Dixon is a remarkable volleyball player and alumna of the University of Minnesota. Graduating in 2013, Dixon has more than a decade of professional experience. The Burnsville, Minnesota, native has accumulated multiple world honors and awards. Dixon was a part of the 2014 World Championship Gold Team as well as the 2018 and 2019 Volleyball Nations League Gold Team. She was named the 2019 China Volleyball League MVP, 2019 NORCECA Continental Championship Best Blocker, 2018 Volleyball Nations League Best Blocker, and 2015 World Cup Best Blocker. When she was a middle blocker at the University of Minnesota, Dixon played in Nebraska multiple times.
Coach Collier said, “Tori brings a wealth of experience, both as a veteran USA National Team player and as a seasoned professional player at the highest level of worldwide competition. She will provide our team with strong leadership and years of exceptional play with and against some of the best players in the world. We wanted to bring in several players who have high-level experience playing professionally in other countries, and Tori will be a great addition to our team in that regard. She is truly a seasoned pro and will be a strong force in the Pro Volleyball Federation.”
Dixon said, “I’ve played many matches in Omaha and the state of Nebraska. For good reason, everyone knows the level of support and fan engagement that volleyball has in Omaha is unmatched anywhere else in the country. The team that Omaha has prepared will be elite, and I’m excited to compete and show everyone what we can do.”
On the powerhouse trio, Coach Collier added, “These three players will bring an exciting combination of youthful enthusiasm along with veteran leadership and are a great start as we begin to build a championship caliber attacking and blocking team.”
The Pro Volleyball Federation is expected to launch its first season in early 2024. Six of the markets have been announced: Omaha, Atlanta, San Diego, Orlando, Grand Rapids and Columbus, and are currently building their teams.
ABOUT NEBRASKA PRO VOLLEYBALL
Nebraska Pro Volleyball aims to be the premier home of women’s volleyball throughout the world. The Omaha-based team is owned by global music sensation Jason Derulo and entrepreneurs Danny White and Chris Erickson, Co-Founders of City+Ventures, an investment and business acceleration organization headquartered in Omaha. Having been named one of the fastest growing companies in Nebraska and the U.S., City+Ventures pursues opportunities focused on investing in people and communities. For more information, visit city-ventures.com.
As an international household name with more than 100 million followers across popular social media platforms, Derulo has sold more than 250 million singles worldwide, achieving 15 platinum singles. He joins Taylor Swift, Elton John, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Britney Spears, Maroon 5, and Christina Aguilera as the only artists in history to achieve a #1 single on U.S. Pop Radio in three decades. Those wishing to be a part of Nebraska Pro Volleyball can email jrwang@city-ventures.com.
ABOUT PRO VOLLEYBALL FEDERATION
Pro Volleyball Federation is REAL pro volleyball and the premier women’s professional volleyball league in North America. Pro Volleyball Federation will begin play in early 2024 with world class players and coaches, including some of America’s greatest volleyball players and elite players from around the world. Our entire focus is on ensuring that our level and quality of play, our treatment of players, the quality of our event presentations, and our day-to-day fan experience is world class and the very best offered in North America. Those wishing to become a part of Pro Volleyball Federation, whether as a player, coach, team owner, investor, sponsor, vendor, media company, or host venue, can email info@provolleyball.com.
