LOVB BRINGS UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS ALL-AMERICAN, RECORD HOLDER AND OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST CHIAKA OGBOGU TO ITS PRO TEAM IN AUSTIN
As league gears up for its inaugural pre-season in November, it will reunite the All-American middle-blocking sensation with fans in the region as she joins Logan Eggleston and Carli Lloyd as a founding athlete for LOVB Austin Volleyball
League One Volleyball (LOVB) – the largest brand in youth volleyball with its professional volleyball league launching in the U.S. later this year – today announced that University of Texas All-American, record-holder and famed Olympic Gold Medalist Chiaka Ogbogu has joined LOVB’s pro league. An All-American since 2018, Ogbogu will anchor LOVB Austin Volleyball, alongside Olympian Carli Lloyd and fellow Texas alumna Logan Eggleston.
“Chiaka is the perfect example of LOVB’s unique youth to pro approach in action,” said Rosie Spaulding, LOVB Pro COO. “She started her career playing club volleyball, then onto the Longhorns where she left an ever-lasting record, and now, with LOVB Pro Austin, she has the opportunity to return to a community of fans who have supported her throughout her career. We’re thrilled for Chiaka to join LOVB and bring her incredible play and leadership to center court.”
Chiaka has deep roots in the state of Texas. From Coppell, TX, she began her volleyball career playing club for Texas Advantage. While at Coppell High School, her strength on the court was on full display as she led her team to two Texas 5A state titles, in 2011 and 2012. In 2012, Chiaka was recognized on a national stage as she received Gatorade Texas High School Player of the Year honors.
While at the University of Texas at Austin in 2018, Chiaka further left her mark on the sport by breaking the all-time record for total team blocks. That same year, she made her debut on the US Women’s National Team and helped her team win Gold at the Pan American Cup. Chiaka also helped lead her team to the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round, and receive Silver at the 2019 NORCECA Women’s Continental Championship, as well as the 2018 FIVB World Cup.
2021 marked a huge milestone in her career with two major achievements including winning Olympic Gold with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics, and helping her team achieve Gold in the FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round.
Since then, Chiaka’s career has only continued to blossom, participating with the US in 2022’s USAV Cup friendlies vs. Turkey, helping her team come in fifth in the 2022 FIVB Volleyball Nations League, and earning fourth place in the 2022 World Championship. 2023 also marked a banner year for Chiaka as she helped her team gain Silver in the 2023 NORCECA Continental Championship, place fourth in Volleyball Nations League and participated in the 2023 FIVB Road to Paris Olympic Qualifier. This past season, Chiaka played professionally for the Turkish club VakifBank, which is regarded as one of the best women’s professional teams in the world.
“To be able to play professionally and at the highest levels in the U.S. is a dream come true. I can’t wait to play for LOVB Austin and for the fans who have supported me since my time at Texas,” said Ogbogu. “Growing diversity across the sport of volleyball is incredibly important to me, so I’m excited to join an organization that is committed to creating more access to the sport, and enabling young girls to see the pathways that are possible for them.”
For more information about Ogbogu joining LOVB Austin Volleyball, please visit www.LOVB.com.
