Northern California MLV Team Unveils Name and Brand for 2027 Season

Welcome to Major League Volleyball, NorCal Rumble.

Inspired by the forces of nature, individuality, and the unmistakable spirit of Northern California, the name embodies the free-spirited, bold, and grounded character that defines the region.

Rumble represents the grace and power of the natural forces, the Pacific Ocean, the towering Redwoods, and the rugged landscape of the Sierra that shape the region and the people.

“NorCal Rumble is a reflection of who we are and where we’re from: bold, creative, competitive, rooted in our community and always pushing to be better,” President of NorCal Rumble, Heather Vaughan, said. “There’s an energy in Northern California that’s hard to put into words, and ‘Rumble’ feels like the perfect way to capture it. We’re here to compete, but we’re also here to build a world-class environment for our players, an incredible experience for our fans, and a team our community feels proud to call its own. We want to do things differently, have fun along the way, and ultimately grow the game of volleyball."

Northern California has historically been where people have forged their own paths and challenged convention while remaining rooted in their community. NorCal Rumble is an extension of those beliefs. A franchise where players can be competitive, fans can see themselves in the players, and the next generation of volleyball players can grow up with a professional organization of their own.

MLV NorCal Rumble branding inspired by landscape and history of Northern California. Curtesy of MLV NorCal Rumble | MLV NorCal Rumble

At the center of the NorCal logo is a California wildflower, inspired by those across Northern California’s hillsides and shores, with a traditional California state flag star at the center of the flower. Spikes radiating from the wildflower capture the force and motion of a volleyball swing, with “Rumble” underneath, representing the peaks of the Sierra Nevada. All these elements are contained within a miner’s spade-shaped crest, inspired by California’s state highway signs.

The NorCal Rumble color palette is inspired by the region’s natural landscapes: the towering forests stretching from Muir Woods to Humboldt (evergreen), the monarch butterflies of Pacific Grove (monarch orange), Northern California’s rolling hills and terrain (sagebrush), coastline (sandshore), and the mustard flowers of Napa and Sonoma (wild mustard yellow).

“There’s a grace and power to Northern California that feels so connected to volleyball and the athletes who play this game,” said Kerri Walsh Jennings, Owner and Chief Impact Officer of NorCal Rumble. “We want our athletes to know who they are, trust their instincts and have the courage to bring their own unique force to the court. We want to inspire people to listen to their inner Rumble, trust it and step toward it.”

MLV NorCal Rumble volleyball players at Fan Fest 2026. Photo credit: Jeremy Jusuf — MLV NorCal Rumble volleyball players Allie Sczech, Taylor Landfair, Naya Gros, and Izzi Strand at Fan Fest 2026. Photo credit: Jeremy Jusuf | Jeremy Jusuf

Fans can now place a $31 Founding Season Ticket Holder deposit, an homage to California’s place as the 31st state. Deposits secure priority access for the inaugural 2027 season at Tech CU Arena in San Jose, Calif.

Fans can also visit norcamble.com to subscribe to Rumble Insider to receive the latest team announcements, exclusive content, ticket information, and additional updates leading to the 2027 season.

"I've spent my career betting on founders and ideas before the rest of the world sees what's possible — women's professional volleyball is exactly that kind of opportunity," said Theresia Gouw, Majority Owner of NorCal Rumble. "NorCal Rumble is about building something that lasts, on the court and in this community, for the long run."

The NorCal Rumble will be coached by Alexandra Dunphy. The roster currently includes
Izzi Strand (UC San Diego, S), Ava Swanson (Kansas State, S), Haylie Bennett (Oregon State, OP), Allie Sczech (Nebraska/Baylor, OP), Naya Gros (Minnesota/Michigan State, MB), Shayla Hoeft (Nevada/Portland, MB), Taylor Landfair (Nebraska/Minnesota, MB), Whitney McEwan (BYU, MB), Jessica Kosonen (Tampere, Finland, OH), Yana Shcherban (Russian National Team, OH), Pia Timmer (Washington State, OH), and Xiang Chen Lai (Pingtung, Taiwan, L),

About NorCal Rumble

NorCal Rumble is Northern California’s professional volleyball team in Major League Volleyball (MLV), set to begin play in 2027 at Tech CU Arena in San Jose. Backed by an ownership group led by Theresia Gouw, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Vivek Ranadivé, Zaza and Tika Pachulia, and Brad and Andrea Hilsabeck, the team is building a high-performance professional volleyball organization rooted in competition, community and culture.

Based in one of the most dynamic sports markets in the country, NorCal Rumble is designed to reflect the energy and diversity of the region while creating a best-in-class experience for athletes and fans alike. More than a professional volleyball team, NorCal Rumble is building the future of the sport in Northern California.

About Major League Volleyball

Major League Volleyball (MLV) is the premier professional volleyball league in the United States, designed to provide the sport and its athletes with the major league platform they deserve. Founded on a player-first philosophy, MLV combines elite competition, significant investment in athlete development, experienced professional sports ownership and a commitment to the long-term growth of volleyball across the country.

As the league enters its fourth season in 2027, MLV has expanded to 12 teams from coast-to-coast in some of the top media markets in the nation. It will continue to create top-level, lasting opportunities and memories for players, coaches and local communities while leading the way in solidifying the future of professional volleyball in North America. For more information, visit MLVB.com and follow the league on Instagram, Facebook, X and YouTube.

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