League One Volleyball: The Rise of LOVB Pro
Founded in 2020 by Katlyn Gao, Peter Hirschmann, and Olympian Kevin Wong, League One Volleyball (LOVB) began as a strategic network of youth volleyball clubs across the United States. The organization was designed with a long-term vision: to build a robust foundation of youth talent that could eventually support and sustain a professional league.
By July 2025, the youth division of LOVB had grown into a massive operation, encompassing 77 club locations across 28 states. This network serves over 22,000 youth athletes and employs more than 3,500 coaches, providing specialized coaching and travel volleyball preparation for athletes aged 12 to 18.
The Birth of LOVB Pro
The transition from youth development to professional sports officially began on October 19, 2021, when the organization announced the creation of LOVB Pro. This professional wing aimed to bring elite volleyball to major American cities, utilizing a model of "founding athletes"—Olympic medalists who served as the faces of their respective franchises.
The league's initial footprint expanded rapidly throughout 2023. Atlanta and Houston were the first cities announced in March, followed by Madison in April, Salt Lake City in June, and Omaha in August. The final piece of the inaugural puzzle was added in December with the announcement of Austin, Texas. To support its growth, the league also committed to building a dedicated training facility in Sun Prairie, a suburb of Madison, to serve both the professional team and local youth squads.
The 2025 Inaugural Season
The first official season of LOVB Pro launched in 2025. Each of the six teams played a 16-match schedule characterized by a unique format. The week typically featured one head-to-head match and a "Weekend with LOVB" homestand, where a single host team would welcome two opponents for a total of three matches.
The season included the LOVB Classic, an in-season tournament held in February in Kansas City, Missouri, coinciding with the Triple Crown NIT youth invitational. The year culminated in April with the LOVB Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. In a single-elimination tournament featuring all six teams, LOVB Austin emerged as the first champion.
Evolution in the 2026 Season
The 2026 season brought significant structural changes to increase competitiveness and viewership. The match count per team rose from 16 to 20, and the league retired the "Weekend with LOVB" format. Additionally, LOVB Omaha rebranded as LOVB Nebraska.
The LOVB Classic was reimagined as a three-match, non-tournament event where every team played one match that contributed directly to the season standings. The postseason was also tightened; only the top four finishers in the single-table standings advanced to the playoffs. These playoffs consisted of semifinal rounds in Louisville and a championship round in Long Beach, California. The finals saw LOVB Austin secure another victory, defeating LOVB Salt Lake.
Key Facts
- Founders: Katlyn Gao, Peter Hirschmann, and Kevin Wong.
- Youth Reach: 77 locations in 28 states with 22,000+ athletes.
- Inaugural Champion: LOVB Austin (2025).
- 2026 Champion: LOVB Austin.
- Expansion: Growing to 10 teams by 2027.
League Structure and Expansion
LOVB is moving toward a conference-based model to manage its growth. Following the announcement of expansion teams in Los Angeles, Minnesota, and San Francisco in late 2025, and the addition of LOVB Miami in May 2026, the league will expand to 10 teams for the 2027 season.
| Eastern Conference | Western Conference |
|---|---|
| Atlanta | Austin |
| Madison | Houston |
| Miami | Los Angeles |
| Minnesota | Salt Lake |
| Nebraska | San Francisco |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded League One Volleyball?
LOVB was founded in 2020 by Katlyn Gao, Peter Hirschmann, and Olympian Kevin Wong.
How many youth clubs does LOVB operate?
As of July 2025, LOVB operates 77 club locations across 28 states, serving over 22,000 youth athletes.
Which team won the first LOVB Pro championship?
LOVB Austin won the inaugural championship in April 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky.
What is the LOVB Classic?
The LOVB Classic is an in-season event. In 2025, it was a tournament in Kansas City; by 2026, it evolved into a three-match format where results counted toward the season standings.
How many teams will be in the league by 2027?
The league will expand to 10 teams in 2027, split evenly between an Eastern Conference and a Western Conference.