LOVB MAKES MAJOR STRIDES AS IT ANNOUNCES KELSEY ROBINSON AND JUSTINE WONG-ORANTES HAVE SIGNED ON TO PRO LEAGUE
On the heels of massive momentum including Series A funding from Billie Jean King and Kevin Durant and exponential growth of its clubs, League reveals first inaugural athletes poised to transform the future of women’s Volleyball in the U.S.
LOS ANGELES, CA – December 13, 2022 – League One Volleyball (LOVB), the first professional full season volleyball League in the U.S., today announced the signing of its first athletes, Kelsey Robinson and Justine Wong-Orantes. These former Olympic Gold medalists will kick off a roster of signings for the League as it moves one step closer in making its vision of launching major league volleyball in the US a reality.
“Kelsey and Justine are no strangers to being the face of women’s volleyball in the U.S.,” said Katlyn Gao, CEO of LOVB. “They have led the US to victory in the Olympics, have been NCAA champions, and have made game-winning plays that still have fans buzzing today. Having them join LOVB as we build the United States’ first full-season professional league is nothing short of exhilarating and we look forward to not only putting these outstanding athletes on center court, but to giving their passionate fanbase an all new avenue in which to celebrate their love of the game.”
LOVB handpicked these first athletes for both their excellence on the court and their leadership in the sport. With storied resumes including winning gold Tokyo Olympics, being named best outside hitter at 2019’s World Cup, and being awarded an NCAA national championship in 2015, these athletes have come to represent the face of different stages of US Volleyball, with Kelsey and Justine bringing years of club, college, national team and professional experience abroad to the building of the LOVB ecosystem.
These signings also further the relationship these athletes currently have with LOVB, as they have been active members of the League’s Athletes’ Council since 2020.
“When LOVB approached me with the idea of joining its professional league, I immediately jumped at the chance,” said Kelsey Robinson. “LOVB’s unique approach, launching a professional league from the ground up and rooted in community, makes it not only a standout, but sustainable for the long-term. I can confidently say, on behalf of the athletes on LOVB’s Athlete’s Council, that it’s thrilling to be part of a women-led professional volleyball league that will not only provide its players with endless opportunities, but will deliver exactly what this sport needs.”
As a league that is deeply committed to equality, diversity and equity, LOVB’s worked hand-in-hand with its Athlete’s Council to ensure that every aspect of the league’s plans, schedules, salaries and benefits offered would be met favorably by the player community at large. These benefits include: competitive salaries with built in marketing contracts, healthcare benefits like maternity leave, childcare support, fertility support, athlete care and more. Consistent with the League’s vision of driving better life outcomes for women through the sport of volleyball, LOVB will also introduce a number of ways to help players’ on and off the court advancement, including professional opportunities to support players in their post-playing career.