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Four Wisconsin Alumnae Make History in Inaugural Season of League One Volleyball
Four Wisconsin Alumnae Make History in Inaugural Season of League One Volleyball
Four Wisconsin alumnae are part of a historic moment in women’s sports as they join the inaugural season of League One Volleyball (LOVB, pronounced “love”), a first-of-its-kind professional league launching in 2025. Unlike anything seen before in the U.S., LOVB is a fully integrated volleyball ecosystem — connecting youth development and pro careers under one organization to create a sustainable future for the sport.
LOVB’s mission is to create better life outcomes for players through volleyball, and its pro league features some of the world’s top talent, including several of Team USA’s 2024 Olympic silver medalists. Among them is Wisconsin’s own Lauren Carlini ’17, one of the most accomplished setters in program history. She’s joined by fellow Badgers Temi Thomas-Ailara, and Sarah Franklin ’24, two rising stars ready to make their mark at the professional level. Annemarie Hickey ’14, MSx’25, a former Wisconsin libero, also plays a key role in the league’s success as director of volleyball operations/technical coordinator.
For decades, the U.S. lacked a professional indoor volleyball league, forcing elite players to compete overseas. LOVB changes the game by keeping top talent in the U.S. and providing a direct club-to-pro pathway for young athletes to develop and thrive. With four Wisconsin alumnae helping launch this historic league, Badger fans have a front-row seat to a new era of professional volleyball—one where the sport’s future has never been brighter.
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