Dambrehten’s selection is historic, as the Latvian opposite hitter is the first player to be named Player of the Month three times in a row in the women’s league. Only twice before has the same player been selected even consecutively: Ada Aronen earlier this season and Carlyle Nusbaum (Pölkky Kuusamo) in the 2023–2024 season.
Dambrehte was also named Player of the Month in March 2025, making this her fourth selection overall.
The most Player of the Month awards in the women’s league have been won by Viktoriia Tuchashvili (5), Kaisa Jokinen (4), Dubravka Rakic (4), Carlyle Nusbaum (4), Andrea Kuivanen (4), and now Megija Dambrehte (4).
In addition to Dambrehte, Pölkky Kuusamo had libero Netta Laaksonen, setter Annie Cooke, outside hitter Jade Cholet, and middle blocker Nelly Kinnunen selected for the Team of the Month. Other selections were Puijo Wolley’s outside hitter Ada Aronen
and LP Viesti’s middle blocker Anna Czakan.
Dambrehte and Aronen were selected to the Team of the Month five times this season. LP Viesti’s Ella Autere was selected four times, and Pölkky’s trio of Netta Laaksonen, Annie Cooke, and Bridgette Smith three times.
For Laaksonen, this marks her 14th career selection to the Team of the Month. Only Hillaelina Hämäläinen (26), Viktoriia Tuchashvili (20), Tiiamari Sievänen (16), Dubravka Rakic (15), and Kaisa Jokinen (15) have more selections.
For the 18-year-old Hurrikaani outside hitter Viktor Viljamaa, this is the first Player of the Month award of his career. In Hurrikaani’s club history, this is the 15th such selection for a player from the club.
Alongside Viljamaa, Hurrikaani’s setter Joel Laakso, outside hitter Takumi Kameyama, and middle blocker Nuutti Niinivaara were selected to the Team of the Month.
Laakso was selected to the Team of the Month for the fifth time this season out of six possible selections. Matt Gentry and Kandai Goto were selected four times. Viktor Viljamaa and Nuutti Niinivaara earned three selections each. Other selections included AC Oulu Volley’s Matt Gentry (middle blocker) and Samuel Jackman (opposite), as well as Akaa-Volley’s Kandai Goto (libero).
In men’s history, the most Team of the Month selections belong to Mikko Esko (25), Olli Kunnari (21), Tommi Siirilä (15), and Matti Oivanen (14).
The Player of the Month awards have been given since 2003; this was the 146th selection. Teams of the Month have been selected monthly since 2010.
The selections are made by the head coaches of the Mestaruusliiga teams.
VitaePro Player of the Month
Megija Dambrehte, Pölkky Kuusamo
Viktor Viljamaa, Hurrikaani Loimaa
Women’s Team of the Month – April 2026
Setter: Annie Cooke, Pölkky Kuusamo (3rd selection)
Opposite: Megija Dambrehte, Pölkky Kuusamo (10)
Outside hitter: Ada Aronen, Puijo Wolley (8)
Outside hitter: Jade Cholet, Pölkky Kuusamo (1)
Middle blocker: Anna Czakan, LP Viesti (12)
Middle blocker: Nelly Kinnunen, Pölkky Kuusamo (3)
Libero: Netta Laaksonen, Pölkky Kuusamo (14)
Men’s Team of the Month – April 2026
Setter: Joel Laakso, Hurrikaani Loimaa (8th selection)
Opposite: Samuel Jackman, AC Oulu Volley (2)
Outside hitter: Viktor Viljamaa, Hurrikaani Loimaa (3)
Outside hitter: Takumi Kameyama, Hurrikaani Loimaa (3)
Middle blocker: Nuutti Niinivaara, Hurrikaani Loimaa (3)
Middle blocker: Matt Gentry, AC Oulu Volley (3)
Libero: Kandai Goto, Akaa-Volley (4)
Text: Toni Flink / AI
