By Christina Fernández-Morrow, Hola Nebraska
The buzz around Nebraska volleyball no longer stops at the college level. As the state’s newest professional women’s volleyball team prepares for their season’s home opener on Jan. 11, LOVB Nebraska (pronounced “love,” the “B” is silent) is powered by international experience, Latino representation, and fierce competition.
After debuting as LOVB Omaha in 2025, the team’s expansion to LOVB Nebraska reflects the league’s goal to bring world-class volleyball statewide. That growth brings new faces: Puerto Rico’s Fernando Morales as assistant coach and Brazil’s Ana Carolina da Silva. Alongside returning Latina athletes Candelaria Herrera, and Lexi Rodriguez, the team is ready to release renewed intensity toward this year’s championship run.
Coach Fernando Morales.
Morales joined the team in September after an award-winning coaching career that includes Puerto Rico’s national team and South Korea. He sees unlimited potential for players and fans. “The Midwest is dominating the sport, not only at the college level, but also the club level. We have Nebraska alum, Creighton alumni and coaches on our staff. They’re connecting with the community, and that’s what we want to do, give these athletes an opportunity to be role models,” said Morales.
The league’s appeal extends beyond familiar names. “Volleyball is a very active sport. A point is decided at every play and it’s fast and easy to understand. I think that sports fans who have never been to a match will like what they see,” said Morales.
LOVB enters the new season with momentum led by an expanded roster including four new international players and staff joining a strong returning core. The league’s commitment to diverse leadership also sets it apart, with women in key decision-making roles throughout the organization, a rarity in pro sports.
That leadership drew Brazilian Olympic medalist Ana Carolina da Silva. After playing professionally in Italy and competing in two Olympics, da Silva and her wife, Dutch outside hitter Anne Buijs, signed two-year contracts. “Normally there are a few women, but not as a coach and this league has a lot of women coaches and staff; that’s empowering,” said da Silva.
Brazilian Olympic medalist Ana Carolina da Silva.
The couple chose LOVB for its innovative structure that includes youth clubs and rest between seasons, which is rare in professional volleyball. Da Silva, who didn’t start playing until age 12, hopes young Latinas in Nebraska will see her team and envision their own futures in the sport. “Volleyball changed my life. I come from a small city and a poor family. I learned about myself, how to be dedicated, disciplined, and strong,” she said. “I want them to imagine themselves here,” she said.
Returning player Candelaria Herrera, who missed the latter half of last season after a knee injury, is ready to play alongside her teammates. The Argentine middle blocker spent months recovering at home, appreciating the homecoming after years playing professionally in Europe where trips to South America proved difficult.
Herrera’s message to Nebraska’s Latino community is clear: “Give us a chance,” she said. “I’m excited to show them a high level of volleyball with experienced players I look up to, like Jordan (Larson) and (Ana) Carolina.”
Healthy and hungry for a full season, she’s excited to share a roster that includes Mexican American Lexi Rodriguez from Sterling, Illinois. Rodriguez was a two-time All-American and earned numerous national athletic honors in her collegiate career. Now, as the team’s libero, she’s applying her experience, sharp instincts and relentless drive towards a championship.
Candelaria Herrera, Argentina National Team and Iowa State University Alumni.
LOVB Nebraska will play 10 home games, including a March 7 match in Grand Island, demonstrating that this franchise belongs to the entire state. Season two represents a pivotal moment for professional volleyball in America, marked by stronger media presence, a new teams, and more home games.
For Nebraska’s Latino community, LOVB Nebraska offers something rare: a professional team where representation extends from the court to the coaching staff. With more than 20 Olympians and top-tier athletes from nearly two dozen countries, LOVB understands that excellence knows no borders.
Lexi Rodriguez y Erika Macías. Photo por Tar Macias / Hola Nebraska
The home opener is Jan. 11 at Baxter Arena in Omaha. Whether you’re a long-time fan or curious about what makes this league the third-best in the world, LOVB Nebraska invites you to be part of something special. Tickets are available at LOVB.com. For updates in English and Spanish, visit HolaNebraska.org.
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