San Diego’s newest professional sports team makes its local debut Friday.
That’s when the San Diego Mojo, a professional women’s volleyball team led by two former Olympians, takes to the court at Viejas Arena for its inaugural home season.
The league started play Jan. 24, but the Mojo’s first home game is 7 p.m. Friday. So far, the
team is 0-3. On Friday, the Mojo hosts the Grand Rapids Rise, which is 2-2.
U.S. volleyball icon Kerri Walsh Jennings is the lead owner of the Mojo, whose ownership group includes NFL quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Mojo are part of the new Pro Volleyball Federation, and they are hoping to capitalize on
Southern California’s interest in volleyball, whether it’s played on a court or on a beach.
“I am passionate about the vision of Pro Volleyball Federation and making this San Diego team the very best it can be,” said Jennings, a three-time Olympic gold medalist.
The team is led by another Olympian, Tayyiba Haneef-Park, a two-time silver medalist who
came to the Mojo after serving as assistant coach with the University of Oregon volleyball team.
“I have seen so many players not pursue playing professionally because of the lack of opportunities in the United States,” she said. “Now we will be able to provide those opportunities and build a legacy for players in America, and I just can’t wait to get started building a champion in San Diego.”
Orlando, Atlanta and Las Vegas join San Diego as four of seven teams the federation has announced for its first season.
Each team will have 24 games. The season will conclude in mid-May with a four-team championship tournament.
All Mojo home games will be played at Viejas. Tickets are available at Ticketmaster or through the Mojo’s web site.
As for the team’s name, Jennings explained: “The best teams in the world have this magical,
undeniable essence about them. The best athletes and performers in the world have the same
– we intend to embody that essence, that magic, that mojo. Not only as powerful individuals
representing this franchise, but as a team we most certainly intend to show up everyday,
having fully embraced and expressed our mojo – together.”
The team logo features a picture of an osprey because it is renowned for its strength,
resilience and mastery of the skies, Mojo officials said.