Growing up, girls couldn’t sit in front of the TV and watch their favorite volleyball player play professionally in the United States. That changed when the Pro Volleyball Federation was announced in November 2022 as a new professional women’s league focused on giving American players access to high-level volleyball. While it took years to develop, the inaugural season has been more significant than ever.
“It’s something that we didn’t have growing up, so for us to be able to be an example for young players aspiring to play as they grow up is a dream come true, and we also have a lot of responsibility to make sure we set great examples for them,” said Morgan Hentz who was selected to train with the USA Volleyball national team ahead of the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Hentz has been leaving her mark on the Pro Volleyball Federation since the league debuted with a match between the Atlanta Vibe and Omaha Supernovas on January 24, which set a record for attendance at a women’s professional volleyball match in the United States of 11,624.
True to their name, the Atlanta Vibe has been a force to reckon with. They clinched the regular-season champions title and secured the number-one overall seed for the upcoming championship, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown.
While the Atlanta Vibe has already made history, they are on their quest to win the first Pro Volleyball Federation Championship. Winning a championship will also make the Vibe the first pro team in Atlanta to win a title in an inaugural season.
This season has been a triumph for the Atlanta Vibe, a triumph that will be etched in the hearts of Atlanta and the dreams of aspiring female volleyball players. Their success is a testament to the opportunities the Pro Volleyball Federation has opened up for young athletes.
Says Leketor Member-Meneh, “I’m grateful to be someone they can look up to. For so long, because pro volleyball wasn’t in the United States, it was a you can’t it. We’re changing the narrative to you can. You can go play in college, play D1, or play pro in the United States, where you were born in front of your friends and your family.”
The Vibe will compete for the league championship on Wednesday, May 15, at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska.