Biography
Esther “Neo” Filipek has been the backbone of Superfly since she earned her nickname. Formerly a basketball star in rural Arkansas, she’s now known in the women’s division as an absolute firecracker, with unique vision, super speed, defensive intensity, and lefty break throws that feel impossible. She’s a club national champion with San Francisco Fury, a First Team All-American selection as far back as 2023, and a Throw of the Year nominee. And, after tearing her ACL in fall 2024, she worked harder than anyone to make it back to the field for the 2026 college season, while simultaneously captaining and being an unwaveringly supportive and dedicated teammate. Her commitment to the excellence of herself and her teammates, as well as her love for the game, are utterly unmatched.
But though she’s feared on the field, she is so loved by her teammates, both on Superfly and on Fury. If you know Neo, you know that she carries as much joy as she does intensity. Just watch her hug her receiver after throwing the assist, or lead a cheer after we’ve just been scored on. Like her namesake from The Matrix, she has a magic that seems supernatural, but is inherently her own. It is this magic, in combination with the leadership of a 3-year captain and her ferocity and creativity on the field, that make Superfly incredibly proud to present Neo as our 2026 Callahan nominee.