PROVO, Utah – LOVB Salt Lake continued its impressive run, extending its winning streak to six matches with a hard-fought 3-1 victory (25-23, 25-22, 18-25, 25-15) over LOVB Nebraska Saturday at BYU’s Smith Fieldhouse. The win solidifies Salt Lake’s position atop the League One Volleyball standings and signals a determined shift from a disappointing 2025 season.
The atmosphere at Smith Fieldhouse was lively, even featuring a somewhat chaotic ceremonial first serve attempt by Cosmo, BYU’s mascot. While the initial attempt didn’t quite clear the net, a second try proved successful, adding a touch of levity to the competitive environment. “I’ve never done a back flip while trying to serve a ball,” Salt Lake setter Madi Bugg joked after the match.
Salt Lake’s offensive efficiency proved to be the deciding factor, led by a dominant performance from opposite hitter Skylar Fields, who earned Player of the Match honors. Fields tallied 20 points, including 18 kills with a .500 hitting percentage, along with two aces and 12 digs. Her performance wasn’t just about statistics; Fields spoke of a “bitter taste” from last season, fueling her hunger and a desire to ignite the same fire within her teammates. “Every time we come out here, just take advantage of it and attack,” she said.
Fields wasn’t alone in carrying the offensive load. Claire Hoffman contributed 18 points with 14 kills and two aces, while Serena Gray added 15 points on 13 kills at a .550 efficiency. The team’s depth was on full display when setter Jordyn Poulter, after a strong start with 27 assists in the first two sets, was relieved by Madi Bugg, who responded with 22 assists and 8 digs in the final two sets. Head coach Tama Miyashiro praised the team’s resilience and depth, stating, “I’m really proud of my crew. We battle, we train, we rest… but this thing is hard. To see these guys respond is such a powerful thing as a coach.”
Defensively, libero Manami Kojima continued to showcase her exceptional skills, earning 14 digs and maintaining a .933 dig percentage. Kojima, crowned Libero of the Year in 2025, remains a cornerstone of Salt Lake’s defensive strategy.
Despite a strong showing from Nebraska’s Kimbery Drewniok, who recorded 21 points and 20 kills, and libero Lexi Rodriguez’s 14 digs, Nebraska (3-4) couldn’t overcome Salt Lake’s balanced attack and consistent play.
The victory is particularly meaningful for Salt Lake’s local contingent, including BYU alums Roni Jones-Perry, who had 10 kills and seven digs, and Mary Lake, who contributed four successful serve receives. The team’s connection to the local volleyball community is evident, and playing at Smith Fieldhouse provided a significant boost.
Salt Lake’s success isn’t just about on-court performance. The franchise is building a strong foundation for the future, currently holding a 2.5-game lead over LOVB Houston in the league standings. The team’s performance is also attracting attention, with League One Volleyball poised for expansion to at least nine teams by 2027, including franchises in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Minnesota. The league’s multi-year deals with ESPN and USA Network are further enhancing its visibility and appeal.
The league’s growth strategy includes engaging with collegiate programs, recognizing that many future professional players come through the university system. LOVB Nebraska coach Suzie Fritz highlighted this connection, stating, “It makes sense when we’re trying to grow the game to be able to engage the university teams… Our connections might not be to BYU, but a lot of our international players come to the U.S. To experience the culture of sport in the United States. A lot of that starts at the collegiate systems.”
Salt Lake now sets its sights on the LOVB Classic in Kansas City, where they will face LOVB Austin on at 5:30 p.m. MT. The tournament coincides with the Triple Crown NIT, one of the nation’s largest youth club tournaments, providing a unique opportunity for LOVB Salt Lake’s professional players to interact with and inspire the next generation of volleyball athletes. Fields emphasized the excitement surrounding this intersection, stating, “It’s a cool intersection of the best club kids and now pro volleyball.”
The team will also return to Provo on to host Atlanta, continuing to cultivate its growing fanbase in Utah County.
