In the game on Saturday night against LOVB Austin, LOVB Houston rose to second place among the five other inaugural teams in LOVB Pro. With this win, LOVB Houston continues to not only excel on the court, but also serve as role models for the next generation of women athletes.
In partnership with Houston Skyline, the top volleyball club in the nation, LOVB Houston connects with athletes from all levels. In this article, we learn from LOVB Houston players about the mental benefits of building a sense of community both on the team and throughout the broader Houston community.
The Mental Toll of Blazing a Trail
As the first organization of its kind, LOVB is groundbreaking for women athletes and represents the future of women’s sports. But being a trailblazer can take a toll on mental health. Athletes often struggle with anxiety, stress, and burnout, and the added pressure of establishing a new league only exacerbates these challenges.
Luckily for LOVB Houston, leaning into the team’s excitement helps them alleviate the mental strain that comes with charting a new course. "With anything, starting something new can be scary, so I love how all the girls just dove in and bought into this new league," VIS Mentor and LOVB Houston middle blocker, Amber Igiede, says. By sharing how she and her teammates are investing time and energy into the league, it’s clear that LOVB Houston understands the importance of establishing professional women’s volleyball in the United States.
Lessening the Mental Toll Through Community
LOVB Houston emphasizes the importance of fostering teamwork and building community both on and off the court. Igiede’s teammate, Jordan Thompson, has shared her mental health struggles in the past, specifically with burnout and performance anxiety. For her, leaning on her teammates and support system helped her rediscover her love for volleyball and grow in her confidence on the court. “What helped me was having all my teammates together back in the gym. I really just appreciated them way more, both on and off the court,” Thompson says.
Building strong relationships with teammates enables players to boost their confidence by drawing strength from others. “I just think back to the times I’ve borrowed other people’s confidence in myself and used that to keep me going,” Thompson adds. She reminds us that we can lighten the mental load by connecting with teammates and working toward common goals that extend beyond our individual achievements.
“I just think back to the times I’ve borrowed other people’s confidence in myself and used that to keep me going.”
Bridging the Gap
Another way LOVB Houston players ease their mental load is by connecting with their purpose: inspiring the next generation. The players build community daily with younger athletes at the Houston Skyline Volleyball Club, where they have the opportunity to connect with aspiring players. “We really want to bridge the gap between club volleyball, college, and professional volleyball,” Thompson says.
Now is the time to create a strong community among volleyball players at the youth, club, college, and pro level. Each athlete brings a unique perspective, which is what makes the league so special, according to Igiege. By fostering community, players at every level can feel inspired and represented.
Being a Role Model
Many professional athletes didn’t have representation while growing up playing volleyball. By connecting with Houston Skyline, younger athletes can see role models living the professional athlete dream, while professional players have the chance to connect with their fans.
For Thompson, the connection with younger athletes eases her mental load by reminding her of her passion for the game. “I want to be the person I needed when I was growing up,” Thompson says. Although players on LOVB Houston have faced mental health struggles throughout the highs and lows of their careers, they find purpose in their ability to connect with younger girls who look up to them.
LOVB Houston protects their mental health by leaning on others—both within their team and the greater Houston volleyball community. Through their partnership with Houston Skyline, players at all levels are encouraged to protect their mental health while continuing to persevere on the court.
