Madison’s Pro Volleyball Team Completes its First Season

by Allison Torres, age 16

There is a new pro women’s volleyball team in Madison called LOVB Madison. They recently completed their inaugural season with a roster of star players from across the world.

The LOVB team stands for “League One Volleyball” and is pronounced “Love.” According to the team's website, LOVB is a nationwide volleyball program with several skill levels, starting from a club team and going all the way up to the professional level. Their goal is to champion the sport of volleyball.

Led by head coach Matt Fuerbringer, LOVB Madison is one of six professional level teams, which also include LOVB Atlanta, LOVB Austin, LOVB Houston, LOVB Salt Lake, and LOVB Omaha. The LOVB Madison team roster was assembled with players from around the world for its first season.

Some LOVB Madison players include Badger Volleyball alumna and setter Lauren Carlini; she was one of the first to commit to the league. Carlini never expected to have a chance to play in Madison again, because it wasn’t an option about 10 years ago when she graduated. “There’s nothing quite like playing at home and in front of friends and family, being able to do it now at the professional level,“ Carlini said. Carlini is happy to show young players what professional women's volleyball can look like.

Fellow Badger Volleyball alumnae also joined Carlini on the team, bringing with them a collection of accomplishments. Outside hitter Sarah Franklin won the Big Ten Player of the Year in 2024. Opposite hitter Temi Thomas-Ailara helped the Badgers go to the NCAA semifinals in 2023. Although not a former Badger, outside hitter Claire Chaussee earned the ACC Player of the Year in 2022 while playing at the University of Louisville in her senior year in 2023.

The team’s first season ran for 14 weeks, starting in January 2025 and ending in April. During the season, they played 19 matches and won 8 of them. To find more information about the team and the upcoming season, visit lovb.com.

[Sources: ESPN; Isthmus; Milwaukee Journal Sentinel; The Capital Times; lovb.com; Wisconsin Public Radio]