The 2025 Major League Volleyball (MLV) Draft flipped expectations when Hayden Kubik, a standout outside hitter from the Tennessee Lady Volunteers, was selected third overall by the San Diego Mojo. Her rise from collegiate dominance to a top three professional pick has turned heads, especially in Tennessee, where volleyball fans are already buzzing with pride.
While the state doesn’t yet have an MLV team, this move is poised to build a strong connection between Tennessee supporters and the growing pro volleyball scene, especially through betting opportunities and marketing campaigns targeted at Kubik’s home-state fanbase.
The selection of Hayden Kubik by San Diego Mojo comes at a moment when sports betting promos in Tennessee could use a fresh volleyball-shaped hook, giving sportsbooks an opportunity to attract Tennessee fans excited about following a local star’s pro career.
Hayden Kubik Drafted Third Overall
Hayden Kubik’s third overall selection by the San Diego Mojo was not only a personal milestone but also a defining moment for the 2025 MLV Draft. Coming out of the University of Tennessee, Kubik was already a known name in collegiate volleyball circles, but being taken so early in the draft elevated her into national spotlight territory.
The move was viewed as a bold and confident decision by the Mojo, signaling their faith in Kubik’s ability to immediately make an impact at the professional level. Her draft slot carries significant symbolic weight, highlighting both her individual accomplishments and her potential to draw fan interest beyond state lines.
Dominant Season With Tennessee Lady Volunteers
During the 2025 NCAA season, Hayden Kubik led the Tennessee Lady Volunteers in multiple major offensive categories. She posted the highest kills per set on the team, topped the charts in points per set, and consistently delivered double-doubles across key matches. Her stats were not just team-leading, but game-changing, frequently tilting momentum in Tennessee’s favor.
Kubik’s explosive presence on the court and high-efficiency attacking made her one of the most talked-about players in the SEC, drawing national attention that ultimately played a large role in her high MLV draft stock. Her collegiate resume was a blueprint for pro readiness.
Energizing the Tennessee Volleyball Program
Kubik’s performance did more than boost stat sheets, it breathed new life into the Lady Vols’ volleyball program. With her at the helm, Tennessee volleyball gained increased media coverage, packed more fans into arenas, and started showing up on national highlight reels. Her energy, leadership, and clutch play sparked excitement across campus and drew younger fans to the sport.
That renewed energy became a foundation for long-term program growth and visibility. Kubik wasn’t just a star… she was a catalyst, pushing teammates to raise their level and building a foundation of belief that Tennessee volleyball could compete with anyone.
No Tennessee-Based MLV Team Yet
Although Major League Volleyball currently lacks a franchise in Tennessee, Hayden Kubik’s draft position changes the narrative for the region. A local icon heading to the pros provides Tennessee fans with a tangible connection to the MLV. For sports leagues expanding market presence, local ties like Kubik’s become essential tools for building regional loyalty.
Her journey offers Tennessee volleyball enthusiasts someone to root for at the pro level, increasing the likelihood they’ll follow the San Diego Mojo’s matches and, by extension, the league. Her selection builds an early foundation for pro volleyball fandom in Tennessee, even without a home team.
Spike in Betting Interest Across Tennessee
Kubik’s leap to the MLV opens the door for sportsbooks in Tennessee to launch new volleyball-specific markets. Fans drawn to her career will now have access to match-win odds, season-long team props, and individual player performance bets.
The psychological link between local pride and gambling engagement creates fertile ground for betting platforms. Tennesseans who followed her NCAA journey may now place wagers on her point totals, kills, or MVP odds.
As Kubik racks up professional milestones, betting engagement could scale up rapidly, especially if she becomes one of the league’s early stars.
Promotional Campaigns and Local Marketing
Major sportsbooks are expected to take advantage of Kubik’s popularity in Tennessee by launching targeted promotions built around her MLV debut. Bet-and-win bonuses tied to her first pro match, parlay boosts involving the San Diego Mojo, and season-long promotions anchored in her performance metrics are all realistic marketing avenues.
Platforms looking to cut through the noise in Tennessee’s competitive betting space now have a fresh narrative: follow the homegrown star making waves on a new stage. These campaigns will likely emphasize her Tennessee roots while pointing fans toward easy, low-risk ways to bet on her MLV journey.
Growing Fan Engagement in Tennessee
Tennessee’s volleyball community, already energized by Kubik’s college run, now has reason to extend that support into the pro scene. Expect fan-led or brand-sponsored watch parties, bar nights, or MLV streaming subscriptions marketed in Knoxville and beyond. Her move could inspire grassroots fan clubs or social media communities dedicated to her pro matches.
With MLV still in its growth phase, players like Kubik are key figures in converting casual viewers into dedicated followers… and Tennessee’s fan base is primed to be one of the most active regional hubs. Her story gives fans a personal stake in the league’s success.
Potential for a Tennessee-Based Expansion Team
If MLV’s expansion plans include new franchises in underserved sports regions, Tennessee may rise near the top of the list. Kubik’s success could be a market test: if fan engagement, betting volume, and local media attention spike, league executives may view Tennessee as fertile ground for a future team. The state already has SEC volleyball interest and strong sports culture, pro volleyball just needs a local hero.
With Kubik providing that, every point she scores for San Diego becomes a subtle argument for placing an MLV team in Tennessee. Local fan investment will be closely watched by the league’s leadership.
Kubik’s Role in Shaping MLV Viewership
Kubik isn’t just entering the pro ranks, she’s bringing an entire fanbase with her. College stars often act as audience bridges, turning NCAA loyalties into pro fandom. For MLV, which is still carving out its television and streaming footprint, Kubik’s transition could play a role in shaping viewership demographics.
Her name recognition among college fans creates a conversion opportunity for the league. Each of her appearances is likely to bring in Tennessee-based viewers who otherwise might not have followed MLV. That cumulative impact (match after match) helps grow the league’s footprint, starting with one star’s story.
Broader Impacts on Women’s Sports Culture in Tennessee
Women’s professional sports are gaining traction nationwide, and in Tennessee, Kubik’s career could become a focal point of that shift. Her journey from college dominance to top three MLV pick gives local sports media a fresh narrative. Young athletes in Tennessee gain a visible example of what’s possible through dedication to volleyball. Schools and training programs may see a rise in interest, club enrollment, and attendance.
Kubik’s story doesn’t just expand volleyball’s footprint, it helps normalize and elevate women’s pro sports as a valid and exciting entertainment product. Her impact could ripple far beyond the court.
Setting the Stage for MLV’s Southern Growth
MLV’s long-term growth strategy will rely on identifying and nurturing hotbeds of support. With Hayden Kubik as a touchstone, Tennessee offers a real-world case study in how collegiate roots, betting partnerships, and media narratives can combine to create regional momentum.
If Tennessee fans latch onto her pro journey, and betting interest follows, the league will have a clear roadmap for tapping similar markets across the South. Kubik’s third overall selection is more than a draft pick, it’s a strategic foothold in a state ready for its own chapter in pro volleyball history.
