Everything you need to know about LOVB and MLV

The GIST: It’s officially pro women’s volleyball season. Two leagues — League One Volleyball (LOVB) and Major League Volleyball (MLV) — will begin their second and third seasons, respectively, this week, so we’re serving up a deep dive on the surging sport.

📚 The background: LOVB burst onto the scene with six teams last January, boasting a star-studded roster that included 75% of the most recent Team USA Olympic squad. And while the pro league launched in 2025, LOVB was first founded in 2020 as a network of youth volleyball clubs. From the ground up, baby.

• As for MLV, you might recognize the team names from what was previously the Pro Volleyball Federation (PVF). In August 2025, the PVF merged with MLV, yet another new league poised to enter the already crowded market.

• Both LOVB and MLV will expand by three teams each in 2027. LOVB is adding squads in LA, Minnesota, and San Francisco, and MLV in Washington, D.C., Minnesota, and Northern California. Despite the overlap, there are currently no plans for the two leagues to merge.

👋 Defending champ LOVB Austin opens season with rematch against Nebraska: What do you get when you put reigning league MVP Madisen Skinner (Austin) against the GOAT (and friend of The GIST) Jordan Larson (Nebraska)? Fireworks. It all goes down tonight at 6 p.m. ET.

✌️ MLV begins season with a fiery doubleheader: There are two matches on tomorrow’s opening slate: Columbus Fury vs. Atlanta Vibe at 7 p.m. ET and San Diego Mojo vs. Omaha Supernovas at 8 p.m ET. The late tilt features Team USA libero Morgan Hentz (Omaha), now a three-time MLV Preseason All-League pick. Diggin’ it.