Chiaka Ogbogu Named First Team LOVB Icon

League One Volleyball (LOVB) is celebrating the completion of its inaugural regular season, and with a new pro league comes new pro all stars. LOVB announced their version of all stars called LOVB Icons, but it's a little bit different from similar awards such as NFL Pro Bowl players or NBA All Stars. According to LOVB, the awards "honor the players who are making the biggest difference on and off the court this season. Recognizing more than their performance, LOVB Icons also highlights the players who are helping to grow the sport of volleyball and inspiring the next generations."

The league was sure that fans have a big say in these awards, giving the fan vote a 50% weight in the decisions, compared to a 25% weight each for coaches and players. These votes tallied into two Icon teams, each with one setter, one libero, two OHs, two MBs, and one OPP.

It was just announced that former Longhorn Chiaka Ogbogu (2013-2017) earned the honor of becoming a First Team Icon in the first ever announcement of the award, and deservedly so. She's a brick wall at the net, leading the league with 54 blocks in 16 matches (very nearly a block per set). Ogbogu adds the award to a long career resume, which includes being the all-time leading blocker at UT, playing professionally in the best leagues across the world, and being a two-time Olympic medalist. Most recently, she was a huge factor for the USA National Team in the 2024 Paris Olympics, winning "Best Middle Blocker" on the way to a Silver medal.

Fans can watch Ogbogu and eight other former Longhorns as LOVB Austin competes in the first-ever LOVB Finals in Louisville, Kentucky. The Longhorn-heavy squad enters the tournament as the 5th seed, starting with a match against LOVB Salt Lake this Thursday, April 10.