Onye Ofoegbu's Historic Outing Highlights LOVB Classic in Kansas City
As far as offensive performances go in the game of volleyball, there are good performances, there are great performances, and then there’s the performance Onye Ofoegbu put together during the League One Volleyball Classic.
Week Six featured the LOVB Classic in Kansas City, with all six teams playing on neutral ground. On Saturday, the Classic featured a matchup between Nebraska and Atlanta in which Ofoegbu stood above the rest, was named Player of the Match, and earned LOVB Offensive Player of the Week honors after earning her team 18 total points while racking up 13 kills and four blocks, leading Atlanta in all three categories.
Her 13 kills came on just 14 attempts, giving her a nearly unheard of .929 efficiency rating, which set the league record in the efficiency category. Piyanut Pannoy anchored the back line for Atlanta with 10 digs and a 50% in-system rating on serve receive. Atlanta made quick work of Nebraska, securing the second sweep of the Classic (25-22, 25-17, 25-20).
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For Nebraska, Emily Thater recorded four kills and two aces in the loss.
LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Houston
AU Players: Emily Thater, Jaali Winters, Gabby Blossom (Nebraska); Jordan Thompson, Justine Wong-Orantes, Madi Kingdon Rishel, Micha Hancock (Houston)
Before the start of Classic competition in Kansas City, LOVB’s featured Match of the Week was Nebraska at Houston, which featured big numbers from opposite Jordan Thompson. Thompson racked up 18 points with just two errors on 33 attempts for a .485 efficiency rating and added seven digs. Madi Kingdon Rishel added eight kills and eight digs with a block and an ace.
On the other side of the net, Jaali Winters added four kills on just seven attempts and two digs. Houston captured the 3-0 victory, taking all three sets in quick succession and closing it out decisively in the final frame (25-21, 25-17, 25-14).
LOVB Austin vs. LOVB Salt Lake
AU Players: Khat Bell, Molly McCage, Bella Bergmark (Austin); Dani Drews, Madi Haynes, Skylar Fields, Sophie Fischer, Tori Dixon, Alexa Gray, Madi Bugg, Serena Gray, Manami Kojima, Claire Hoffman, Heydi Casanova (Salt Lake)
The Classic opened Friday with a matchup between Austin and Salt Lake.
Heydi Casanova was named Player of the Match after a 12-kill outing that included one ace, one block, and eight digs. Her offensive numbers were second only to Alexa Gray, who had 15 kills with one block and four digs. Tori Dixon hit an errorless seven kills on 10 attempts for a .700 hitting percentage, and Claire Hoffman added seven kills and six digs to the winning effort. Madi Bugg guided the offense with 34 assists and added 13 digs.
For Austin, Bella Bergmark tallied four kills and a team-leading three blocks plus three digs, while Molly McCage recorded three kills, two blocks, and two digs. Despite those efforts from the two middle blockers, Salt Lake finished victorious with a three-set sweep (25-23, 25-17, 25-18).
LOVB Houston vs. LOVB Madison
AU Players: Jordan Thompson, Justine Wong-Orantes, Madi Kingdon Rishel, Micha Hancock (Houston); Claire Chaussee, Annayka Legros, Temi Thomas-Ailara (Madison)
Houston took on Madison to close the week in Kansas City, and once again Jordan Thompson led the way with 20 total points, 18 kills, and two blocks to earn Player of the Match honors. Kingdon Rishel tied for the team’s second-best in kills with eight and added 14 digs on the defensive end. Houston captured three straight sets to close out the Classic (25-20, 26-24, 25-19).
League Standings After Week 6
Salt Lake: 8-1
Houston: 6-3
Austin: 5-5
Atlanta: 3-5
Nebraska: 3-6
Madison: 2-7
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
