The Utah Predators have exited the National Volleyball Association, and along with the San Jose Storm and Sacramento Stars, have formed the Professional Volleyball League.
The PVL, which prefers to be known as Pro Volleyball, will consist in the 1997 season of the three founding teams, plus former NVA team the San Bernadino Jazz, and a new team in Hawaii, owned by current Salt Lake resident Bob McGregor. Additional ownership groups in various Western cities have been given until Nov. 22 to commit to enter the league for the 1997 season. A full league schedule should be completed by Thanksgiving Day.Don Petrilli (San Jose) was voted in as league president, Wayne Black (Utah) and Bob Lord (Sacramento) were selected as vice-president and secretary/treasurer respectively. All had previously served in these same position in the old NVA, along with vice-president and Director of Operations Gary Wyma. A league commissioner search is under way, with results expected shortly.
"We felt that it was in the best interest of women's professional volleyball to take a different path that would promote cooperation among the teams in the PVL" said Petrilli.
League play will begin mid-January, ending with a championship match in late April. The Predators will be playing all home matches at the Salt Lake Community College Lifetime Activities Center.