Olympic Medalists, NCAA Champions & International Stars Unite as the Franchise Starts Forging Its Legacy in One of the World’s Premier Volleyball Communities
The largest volleyball market in the United States now has a professional team. Today, LOVB Los Angeles revealed its inaugural roster, assembling Olympic medalists, NCAA champions, international standouts, and local heroes to debut one of professional sports’ most eagerly awaited new franchises.
Thirteen elite players from six different nations make up the founding squad, with multiple Southern California natives returning to compete before the very community that nurtured their development.
This roster reveal arrives at a pivotal time for volleyball. As the fastest-growing girls’ sport across America, with Southern California still a top global hotspot for volleyball talent, and with Los Angeles gearing up to host the 2028 Olympics, the timing is significant.
“Our vision isn't simply to launch another professional team; it's to build the flagship franchise for volleyball, a team that represents this city, inspires the next generation, and gives one of the world's greatest volleyball communities a club to call their own” said Ana Mendy, President of LOVB Los Angeles. “We have an incredible opportunity to build something special here, together.”
2026 Founding Roster
Setters
● Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, CA) — US National Team/2016 Olympic bronze medalist, AVCA Player of the Year at the University of California at Berkeley, LOVB Austin 2025 & 2026, two-time LOVB Champion, International Volleyball 13+ years
● Rachel Fairbanks (Tustin, CA) — USA National Team/VNL, Three-time AVCA All-American at the University of Pittsburgh, LOVB Atlanta 2025 & 2026
Outside Hitters
● Kathryn Plummer Boden (Aliso Viejo, CA) — US National Team/2024 Olympic silver medalist, Three-time National Champion and two-time National Player of the Year at Stanford University, International Volleyball 7+ years
● Hannah Duchesneau (Sharon, Ontario) — Canadian National Team, Queens University, Two-time OUA Player of the Year, International Volleyball 1 year
● Madi Kingdon Rishel (Phoenix, AZ) — US National Team, First NCAA athlete to earn both Indoor and Sand All-American honors at the University of Arizona, LOVB Houston 2025 & 2026, International Volleyball 11+ years
● Mychael Vernon (Ossining, NY) — 2024 All-American at the University of Missouri, Jamaica Volleyball Female Athlete of the Year
Opposite Hitter
● Annie Drews Schumacher (Elkhart, IN) — US National Team/Two-time Olympic medalist, All American at Purdue University, LOVB Madison 2025, International Volleyball 8+ years
Middle Blockers
● Samantha Francis (San Diego, CA) — Two-time All-American at Stanford University, three Elite Eight appearances
● Ana Malešević (Belgrade, Serbia) — Serbian National Team member, two-time U21 world/European silver medalist
● Onye Ofoegbu (Cerritos, CA) — Third Team AVCA All-American at the University of Oregon, LOVB Atlanta 2025 & 2026
● Haleigh Washington (Colorado Springs, CO) — US National Team/Two-time Olympic medalist, 2014 NCAA Champion at Penn State University. LOVB Salt Lake 2025 & 2026, International Volleyball 7+ years
Liberos
● Keyla Alves (São Paulo, Brazil) — Went Pro in 2018, straight out of High School, LOVB Houston 2025 & 2026
● Kotoe Inoue (Kyoto, Japan) — Japanese National Team member, reigning Thailand League MVP. L
