LOVB Nebraska
| Founded | 2023 |
|---|---|
| Ground | Baxter Arena Omaha, Nebraska, U.S. Liberty First Credit Union Arena Ralston, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Manager | Suzie Fritz |
| League | LOVB Pro |
| 2025 | Runners-up 6th in LOVB Pro |
| Website | www |
LOVB Nebraska is an American professional women's indoor volleyball team based in Omaha, Nebraska. Originally known as LOVB Omaha, the team is an inaugural member of LOVB Pro, the professional level of League One Volleyball that began play in January 2025.
History
In 2021, LOVB announced plans to start a professional women's volleyball league in the United States.[1] Omaha was announced as LOVB's fifth team location in August 2023. The city also hosts the Omaha Supernovas of the rival Pro Volleyball Federation.[2]
LOVB Omaha played its first season in 2025, with an inaugural roster including Jordan Larson and Justine Wong-Orantes, who played college volleyball for the Nebraska Cornhuskers and were the team's first players signed.[3] Though they finished in 6th place in the 6-team LOVB Pro with a 5-11 record, Omaha would win its quarterfinal and semifinal matches in the 2025 LOVB Finals championship match, where they were swept 3 sets to 0 by LOVB Austin.
In August 2025, LOVB Pro announced that a group headlined by former Nebraska Cornhuskers volleyball star Jordan Larson would purchase the LOVB Omaha franchise, becoming the second LOVB Pro team to have non-league ownership (LOVB Austin became the first that June). Coinciding with the sale, the league announced that LOVB Omaha would rebrand to LOVB Nebraska, a nod to the popularity of volleyball throughout the state. Former Creighton Bluejays coach Kirsten Bernthal Booth was also announced as the team's president of business operations.[4][5]
Roster
- As of April 9, 2025.[6]
| No. | Name | Position | Height | College / Home club | Nationality |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexi Rodriguez | Libero | 5 ft 5 in (1.65 m) | Nebraska | United States |
| 2 | Emily Thater | Middle blocker | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Missouri | United States |
| 3 | Annie Cesar | Libero | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | Germany | |
| 4 | Justine Wong-Orantes | Libero | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | Nebraska | United States |
| 5 | Jaali Winters | Outside hitter | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Creighton | United States |
| 7 | Vicky Savard | Outside hitter | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Montréal | Canada |
| 8 | Kimberly Drewniok | Opposite hitter | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | RC Sorpesee | Germany |
| 10 | Jordan Larson | Outside hitter | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Nebraska | United States |
| 11 | Amber Stivrins | Outside hitter | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | Louisville / Georgia / San Diego | United States |
| 12 | Audriana Fitzmorris | Opposite hitter | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | Stanford | United States |
| 13 | Gabby Blossom | Setter | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | San Diego / Penn State | United States |
| 14 | Laura Dijkema | Setter | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Smash | Netherlands |
| 17 | Candelaria Herrera | Middle blocker | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | Florida A&M / Iowa State | Argentina |
| 18 | Sami Francis | Middle blocker | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | Stanford | United States |
| 23 | Chiamaka Nwokolo | Middle blocker | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | Pittsburgh | United States |
| 26 | Lauren Stivrins | Middle blocker | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | Nebraska | United States |
| 33 | Madi Kubik-Banks | Outside hitter | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | Nebraska | United States |
Honors
- LOVB Finals
- Runners-up (1): 2025
References
- ^ Chappell, Bill (October 19, 2021). "Are you ready for some volleyball? A new women's pro league hopes the answer is yes". NPR. Retrieved December 21, 2024.
- ^ Stavas, Nick; Weber, Brent (August 16, 2023). "Omaha to welcome second professional volleyball team in different league". WOWT. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "LOVB Announces USA Volleyball Captain and Volleyball Legend Jordan Larson Will Join Its Pro League". LOVB. April 16, 2024. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ Patterson, Mike (August 6, 2025). "Jordan Larson, Kirsten Bernthal Booth lead rebrand of Nebraska's pro volleyball team". Omaha World-Herald. Omaha, NE. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ Sim, Josh (June 20, 2025). "David Blitzer and Spurs' Peter Holt among LOVB volleyball league's first team owners". SportsPro. Retrieved August 8, 2025.
- ^ "LOVB: Omaha Roster". LOVB.