LOVB volleyball game between Austin and Atlanta at the HEB Center in Cedar Park, Texas on January 11, 2026. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
The energy inside the H-E-B Center at Cedar Park reached a fever pitch on Sunday night as LOVB Austin continued its season opening homestand with a grueling five set victory over LOVB Atlanta. In a battle that tested the conditioning and mental toughness of both rosters, the home team managed to overcome an early deficit to secure a 21 to 25, 25 to 17, 25 to 17, 17 to 25, and 15 to 11 win. This second consecutive five set marathon moved Austin to a 2 and 0 record on the season, proving that the defending champions have maintained the grit that defined their title run last year.
The match began with Atlanta asserting themselves at the net, taking the opening set 25 to 21. Austin head coach Erik Sullivan noted the need for more aggressive serving to disrupt Atlanta's rhythm, and his players responded immediately. The second and third sets saw Austin take total control, fueled by the defensive masterclass of libero Kotoe Inoue. Inoue was practically magnetic, tracking down every ball to finish with 23 digs, a performance that tied her for the fifth most digs in a single match in league history. Her steady passing allowed setter Brie O’Reilly to find a balanced offensive rhythm, leading to two straight 25 to 17 set wins for the hosts.
The momentum shifted once more in the fourth set when Atlanta found their second wind. Despite timely blocks from middle Asjia O’Neal that kept the score knotted at 16 all midway through, a series of unforced errors allowed Atlanta to pull away with a 25 to 17 win of their own. This set the stage for a dramatic fifth set sprint. Austin jumped out to an early lead behind the veteran presence of Bella Bergmark and Madisen Skinner. Skinner was once again the offensive anchor for the squad, finishing the night with 17 total points and 16 kills.
In the final moments of the fifth set, Austin's service pressure proved to be too much for the visitors to handle. Madi Banks was especially effective from the service line, contributing four aces throughout the match to go along with her 12 kills. The home team finally sealed the victory on an Atlanta service error, sparking a celebration from the local fans who had stayed through every minute of the two hour battle. Along with Skinner and Banks, Logan Eggleston provided a massive lift with 11 points and 10 digs, while the middle duo of O’Neal and O’Reilly combined for ten blocks to keep the Atlanta hitters at bay. With this hard earned win in the books, Austin looks to keep their undefeated streak alive as they head out on their first road trip of the new year.
LOVB Austin
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