Tessa Grubbs Sets the Pace for Atlanta in LOVB Week 2
Week Two of League One Volleyball was defined by a statement performance from Tessa Grubbs, who powered LOVB Atlanta to a four-set win in the league’s Match of the Week. After opening the season with a 20-kill outing, Grubbs raised the bar again Thursday night, delivering her most complete performance of the young season.
Grubbs led all players with 26 total points, finishing with 21 kills on 48 attempts, three blocks, 15 digs, and an ace in Atlanta’s 3-1 win over LOVB Austin. The output marked a new season high and gave fans a memorable home opener in Atlanta.
Atlanta took the first two frames before Austin responded in the third, but the home side regrouped in the fourth to secure the win (25-22, 25-19, 22-25, 25-23).
Grubbs paced Atlanta’s offense throughout the match, while Austin middle Bella Bergmark recorded three kills on six attempts in the loss.
View this post on Instagram
LOVB Madison vs. LOVB Nebraska
AU players: Claire Chaussee, Annayka Legros, Temi Thomas-Ailara (Madison); Emily Thater, Jaali Winters, Gabby Blossom (Nebraska)
LOVB Madison captured the first set, and rebounded after a speed bump in the second on Friday night, defeating LOVB Nebraska in four sets (25-15, 22-25, 25-23, 25-21).
Temi Thomas-Ailara led Madison with 12 kills, tied for the team’s second-highest total, and added 10 digs and a block.
Nebraska was once again led by Jaali Winters, who finished with 12 kills, two aces, and six digs, while Emily Thater added two kills and two blocks.
LOVB Nebraska vs. LOVB Atlanta
AU players: Emily Thater, Jaali Winters, Gabby Blossom (Nebraska); Piyanut Pannoy, Onye Ofoegbu, Tessa Grubbs (Atlanta)
Nebraska closed out the weekend with a straight-sets win Sunday, sweeping Atlanta 3-0 (27-25, 25-21, 25-20).
Winters recorded eight kills, nine digs, and a block, while Thater turned in one of the most efficient performances of the night with six kills on 14 attempts and no errors for a .429 hitting percentage, plus two blocks.
Grubbs finished with eight kills and two blocks for Atlanta, and Onye Ofoegbu went 3-for-4 with no errors to post a .750 hitting percentage. Still, Nebraska controlled the match after a tightly contested opening set.
Team Records after Week 2
LOVB Madison: 2-0
LOVB Austin: 2-1
LOVB Nebraska: 2-2
LOVB Salt Lake: 1-1
LOVB Atlanta: 1-2
LOVB Houston: 0-2
Siera Jones is the digital media reporter at Athletes Unlimited. You can follow her on Instagram and X @sieraajones.
