The League One Volleyball (LOVB) professional league opened with thrilling matches as all six teams battled in the inaugural week, showcasing high-level competition and standout individual performances.
Opening Matches Recap
- LOVB Salt Lake vs. LOVB Atlanta: Salt Lake made history Wednesday with a 25-22, 27-25, 21-25, 25-21 win in the league’s first-ever match. Cuban star Heidy Casanova and BYU standout Roni Jones-Perry each tallied 20 kills for Salt Lake. Atlanta’s Danielle Cuttino contributed 13 kills and recorded the league’s first ace.
- LOVB Houston vs. LOVB Austin: Thursday’s match delivered a thrilling five-set reverse sweep as Houston came back from two sets down to defeat Austin 25-27, 24-26, 25-22, 27-25, 16-14. Jess Mruzik shone with 13 kills, an ace, and the match-winning block. Austin’s Madisen Skinner led all scorers with 22 kills.
- LOVB Austin vs. LOVB Madison: Austin rebounded Friday with a dominant 25-21, 25-23, 25-18 sweep over Madison. Juliann Faucette led with 13 kills. Madison’s Annie Schumacher registered 16 kills in a losing effort.
- LOVB Omaha vs. LOVB Houston: Omaha closed the week with a straight-sets victory (25-19, 25-20, 28-26) over Houston. Jaali Winters led Omaha with 13 kills, while the team tallied 16 blocks, including six from Candelaria Herrera. Houston’s Jess Mruzik and Jordan Thompson managed 11 kills each.
Upcoming Matches
- January 15: LOVB Atlanta vs. LOVB Austin (Cedar Park, TX).
- January 17: LOVB Salt Lake vs. LOVB Madison; LOVB Houston vs. LOVB Salt Lake; LOVB Omaha vs. LOVB Madison (Wisconsin Field House).