ORLANDO, Fla. — When the Orlando Valkyries' second season in the Professional Volleyball Federation opened Thursday night against the San Diego Mojo at Addition Financial Arena, libero Georgia Murphy and outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide led the way.

The Valkyries won the match, 3 sets to 0.

What You Need To Know

  • The Orlando Valkyries' season begins at 7 p.m. Thursday against the San Diego Mojo 

  • The 2025 season marks the Valkyries' second in the Pro Volleyball Federation

  • Libero Georgia Murphy and outside hitter Lindsey Vander Weide both went to Oregon

  • Thursday's match will be played at Additional Financial Arena on UCF's campus

Murphy is the queen of collecting overtime, always putting in extra work. 

“I mean liberos are nasty. They’re always putting in the extra work, especially Georgia,” Vander Weide said, while watching Murphy do extra drills after practice. “...I don’t know if they like it, but that’s just what liberos do.”

Murphy is all over the court — diving, sliding and making plays for the Valkyries. 

“I’ve definitely had my fair share of shoulder injuries,” Murphy said. “It’s a lot more demanding than what people think. We’re diving on the hardwood floor, pounding every single day, jumping, all of those things.”

Murphy has mastered the art of setting up her teammates, but she needs a running mate and her chemistry with Vander Weide is undeniable. 

“Lindsey is amazing,” Murphy said. “Her energy and her communication is the thing that makes her so great. How she communicates when something needs to be better and how she communicates when everything is great and easy. She’s an incredible leader, incredible energy. She’s just the best.”

Volleyball is all about relationships and trust, and Murphy and Vander Weide are birds of the same feathers. 

“I’ve known Georgia for a little bit,” Vander Weide said. “We both went to Oregon, not at the same time, but I think we’re really comfortable with each other. We have a similar passing style because we both went to Oregon.”

Vander Weide graduated from Oregon in 2018, and Murphy started attending the university in 2019. 

Even though they weren’t on the same team, Murphy said she’s learned a lot from Vander Weide’s career. 

“I think it’s really cool,” Murphy said. “I’ve heard the best things about her, playing with her and as a person. When you start playing professionally, especially in the U.S., you realize how small of a world it is.”

The former Oregon Ducks said they believe if the Valkyries all fly in the same direction this season, the sky is the limit. 

“I think we’re going to be super good. I’m so excited to get started and get to play games and show everybody what we’re about,” Murphy said. 

Orlando's next match is Saturday in Indianapolis.