(people cheering) - [Announcer] For sure, here's Mancuso from the back row, - [Cheerleaders] C-C-O-N-N - [Gina] When I finished in 2012 with the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, I had two choices and that's it.

The first one was, end my career, move on with life, then the only other option I had was to continue my career, but it had to be overseas in a foreign land, foreign language.

Didn't know anyone or anything.

(upbeat music) - Many of them played in other countries, single apartment, no one else speaks English, maybe the coach doesn't speak English.

They don't get to see their friends and family.

- [Gina] Playing professionally in the United States wasn't even a thought, because obviously that takes a lot of money, a lot of ownership and a lot of processes and strategies and it just wasn't even a thing at the time.

- [Narrator] Timing is everything and an interest in the sport is at an all time high.

The Pro Volleyball Federation has been working over the past year to bring the first professional volleyball league in the US to market.

- This has been something I've always wanted to do, but never something I thought would be a reality.

(upbeat music) (inspiring music) - [Kendall] I played in France for three years, overseas.

I wanted to be in America, like, I debated almost like, retiring, for that sole reason, prior to this league, so I think this is like, the best thing in the entire world, that I get to play on my home turf, in my country and do what I love and what I'm good at.

Like, what I feel like I was meant to do.

(people cheering) (Kendall grunting) - [Shelton] It's one of the most amazing, epic ways for a coach to have an impact on the game, in a professional level in the United States, here in the best city for volleyball in the country.

(upbeat music) - [Narrator] On January 24th, the Omaha Supernovas kicked off the inaugural season in a home match against the Atlanta Vibe.

(people cheering) The league features seven franchises from across the country, with three more slated to join next season.

Each team features 14 player rosters, will play 24 regular season matches from January through May, all concluding in a final four playoff for the Pro Volleyball Federation Championship.

(people cheering) - [Shelton] Here in Omaha, they're aware of what it takes to have a world class team and they have reached out to get us all the support staff with medical, sports psychologists, high level strength and conditioning coach, high level athletic training.

They've done that at the highest level.

(upbeat music) (people cheering) - [Gina] They're gonna see how entertaining it is, because college in the United States is wonderful.

They do such a good job elevating their game and performing at a high level, but professionally it's just an upgrade from there.

And so I think they're going to experience how entertaining it is.

(upbeat music) (inspiring music) (crowd cheering) - [Shelton] Our team is gonna be a combination of USA national team players that have experience.

We're gonna have professional players that have played many years overseas that have a professional savvy and a game about them that's much more sophisticated maybe, than a college player.

We're gonna have some players that are 23 years old playing with a 34-year-old and try to mesh that talent and personality.

I think our team's gonna play with a vibe and an enthusiasm.

They're gonna be fun to watch.

(people cheering) - [Nia] I am so excited to be playing at home in front of fans that can speak English, you know, so I know what they're saying.

Just being home with the support, I have more joy playing.

So it really brought back the joy of volleyball for me.

- We all have so much gratitude and so much appreciation that we have a league, we have ownership.

We have these people that have invested in the league and they've said, we want to make women's volleyball go.

This is gonna take the world by storm.

- [Gina] Not only is this my home country, but this is my home state and my home city.

So I feel very blessed.

It's really life changing for so many of us.

(inspiring music) (people cheering)