LOVB Playoffs Preview: Everything to Know About the Championship Race
The 2026 League One Volleyball (LOVB) playoffs are set, with four teams heading into the postseason in pursuit of the league’s second championship. Atlanta clinched the top seed on March 28, while Salt Lake, Houston, and Austin secured their spots on April 4, setting up a tightly contested semifinal round.
The postseason opens with a two-match semifinal series for each matchup, with a golden set to 15 points serving as the tiebreaker if needed. The opening round features No. 2 Atlanta vs. No. 3 Austin and No. 1 Houston vs. No. 4 Salt Lake. The two winners will advance to a two-match championship series on April 16 and 18, with a golden set again in play if the teams split.
Atlanta vs. Austin: A Season of Back-and-Forth Battles
Atlanta and Austin enter the playoffs with one of the most evenly matched season series in the league. The two teams split their four meetings, trading wins throughout the year. Austin, the league’s defending champs, opened with a 3-2 win on January 11, before Atlanta responded with a 3-1 victory just three days later. Austin took another five-set battle in early February, and Atlanta answered again on February 22 with a 3-1 win to even the series.
Players to Watch – Austin
Madisen Skinner
Skinner leads Austin with 332 total points, ranking second in the league in both kills and points. She enters the postseason off a record-setting performance, totaling 34 points with 28 kills, four blocks, and two aces in the regular season finale.
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Logan Eggleston
Eggleston has been one of the league’s most dynamic scorers, totaling 283 points. She ranks sixth in kills, fourth in points, and leads the league with 26 aces, while recording 14 double-digit kill matches this season.
Molly McCage
McCage brings championship experience and consistency in the middle. She has 134 points this season, with three double-digit kill matches and multiple four-block performances anchoring Austin’s front line.
Players to Watch – Atlanta
Ivonee Montaño
Montaño leads Atlanta with 243 points and has been a steady offensive presence. She closed the regular season with 22 kills against Salt Lake and owns a season high of 26.
McKenzie Adams
Adams has delivered on both ends of the floor, totaling 225 points while recording 10 double-digit kill matches and 10 double-digit dig performances. She was named Offensive Player of the Week in March and has been one of the league’s most complete players.
Magdaléna Jehlárová
Jehlárová leads the league in blocks with 51 and continues to control the net defensively. She posted a season-high six blocks in April and earned Defensive Player of the Week honors in March.
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Houston vs. Salt Lake: Even Series, High Stakes
Houston and Salt Lake also enter the playoffs with a split season series. Salt Lake opened with back-to-back 3-0 wins, including a season-opening sweep. Houston, the regular-season champs, responded later in the season with a 3-1 win on February 22 and a 3-0 sweep on March 25 to even the matchup heading into the postseason.
Players to Watch – Houston
Jordan Thompson
Thompson has been the most dominant offensive player of the season, leading the league with 455 points. She has reached double-digit kills in all but two matches and recorded 20 or more kills 11 times, including a season-high 31 kills on two occasions.
Amber Igiede
Igiede ranks second for Houston with 203 points and has provided steady production in the middle. She has six double-digit kill matches and matched her season high of 11 kills in April.
Kaisa Alanko
Alanko has powered Houston’s offense, totaling 765 assists. She leads the league in setting efficiency (.337) and good touch percentage (54.4%), and recorded a season-high 61 assists earlier this year.
Players to Watch – Salt Lake
Alexa Gray
Gray leads Salt Lake with 253 points and earned First Team LOVB Icons honors. She has recorded double-digit kills in 15 matches, including a season-high 24.
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Minami Kojima
Kojima leads the league with 256 digs and continues to anchor Salt Lake’s defense. She ranks second in both good pass percentage and pass efficiency, earning First Team Icons recognition.
Serena Gray
Gray has taken a step forward this season, totaling 183 points. The middle blocker has nine double-digit kill performances and earned Second Team LOVB Icons honors.
Playoff Schedule and How to Watch
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Semifinals
Friday, April 10
- Austin vs. Atlanta – 4 p.m. ET
- Houston vs. Salt Lake – 6:30 p.m. ET
Saturday, April 11
- Austin vs. Atlanta – 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, April 12
- Houston vs. Salt Lake – 2 p.m. ET
Golden set to 15 points if series is tied
Championship Series
- April 16 – 8 p.m. ET
- April 18 – 8 p.m. ET
Golden set to 15 points if needed
The 2026 LOVB Playoffs will take place April 10-12 at Freedom Hall, with all matches airing live across USA Network, ESPN2, ESPN+, and Victory+. The Championship series will follow on April 16 and 18.
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
