League One Volleyball (LOVB) will begin the 2026-27 LOVB Pro season with LOVB Austin facing LOVB Nebraska at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Wednesday, December 16. The match will serve as LOVB First Serve, the opening contest of the new season. Tickets are on sale now.
The match will take place during NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship week in San Antonio. It will bring together professional players, former college stars and established volleyball figures during one of the sport’s biggest weeks in the city. LOVB Pro is entering its third season.
Austin begins pursuit of third consecutive championship
Reigning champion LOVB Austin will begin its title defense against LOVB Nebraska. Austin is pursuing a third consecutive championship, led by Madisen Skinner, a two-time Finals MVP.
The matchup renews a rivalry from the previous season. LOVB Austin eliminated LOVB Nebraska from playoff contention during the final week of the regular season, creating added context for the teams’ first meeting of the 2026-27 campaign.
Nebraska features former Huskers and Jordan Larson
LOVB Nebraska includes former University of Nebraska Huskers Rebekah Allick and Lexi Rodriguez. Their presence gives college volleyball fans in San Antonio an opportunity to see the former Nebraska players compete at the professional level.
Jordan Larson also will join LOVB Nebraska after returning from retirement. Larson is a four-time Olympic medalist and former Nebraska standout.
Idehen highlights San Antonio event
Sandra Idehen, Commissioner of LOVB Pro, said First Serve will connect professional volleyball with the college championship week in San Antonio.
“San Antonio will be at the center of the volleyball world in December, and we are excited to bring LOVB Pro to the city to open our new season. First Serve brings together everything that makes this moment in volleyball so exciting – the stars fans grew up watching, the players they have followed through college and the next generation preparing to take the stage. With the NCAA champions crowned just days after LOVB’s First Serve, we have an incredible opportunity to celebrate the full spectrum of the sport to give fans an unforgettable week of volleyball.”
LOVB First Serve schedule
Match: LOVB Austin vs. LOVB Nebraska
Date: Wednesday, December 16
Venue: Frost Bank Center
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Event: LOVB First Serve, opening match of the 2026-27 LOVB Pro season
FSB Take
LOVB First Serve gives the 2026-27 LOVB Pro season a matchup between the reigning champion and the team Austin eliminated from playoff contention last season. Austin will begin its pursuit of a third consecutive championship, while Nebraska enters with former Huskers Rebekah Allick and Lexi Rodriguez and the returning Jordan Larson. The match’s place during NCAA Women’s Volleyball Championship week also connects the professional season opener with San Antonio’s college volleyball championship events.
Source: Original report