{"id":137114,"date":"2026-01-25T02:11:20","date_gmt":"2026-01-25T02:11:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/137114\/"},"modified":"2026-01-25T02:11:20","modified_gmt":"2026-01-25T02:11:20","slug":"lovb-houston-sweeps-austin-continues-dominance-in-texas-showdown-rivalry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/137114\/","title":{"rendered":"LOVB Houston sweeps Austin, continues dominance in Texas Showdown rivalry"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Michael Adams
Texas Volleyball Journal <\/p>\n

\"\"LOVB Houston\u2019s Amber Igiede (3) and Raphaela Folie (7) celebrate after a point during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/p>\n

SAN ANTONIO \u2014 LOVB Houston delivered its most complete performance of the season Saturday, sweeping league-leading LOVB Austin 25-14, 25-21, 25-14 at the Frost Bank Center to earn its first win of the year. <\/p>\n

The victory also continued Houston\u2019s recent dominance in the all-Texas matchup. Houston has now won four of the five meetings between the two Lone Star State teams and went 3-1 against Austin last season.<\/p>\n

Opposite hitter Jordan Thompson led the way with a match-high 19 kills and two blocks, powering an efficient Houston offense that dictated the tempo from the opening serve. <\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m super happy about today\u2019s win and how we showed up as a team,\u201d said LOVB Houston head coach Sanja Toma\u0161evi\u0107. \u201cToday\u2019s win was a team win. Every player did their job. I felt like our team was very disciplined offensively and defensively. We showed up with a lot of grit and a lot of attitude. That\u2019s Houston volleyball.\u201d <\/p>\n

More photos<\/p>\n

\"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Kotoe Inoue (15) passes the ball during warm ups before a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Amber Igiede (3) hits the ball over the net during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/An LOVB Austin fan watches a replay on the jumbotron during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Jordan Thompson (23) signals to the referee after the play for a challenge during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Zoe Jarvis (10) passes the ball during warm ups during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB AUstin’s Madi Banks (4) tosses the ball back to the ball crew at the end of the first set of a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/Texas A&M alumni Logan Lednicky (18), now with LOVB Houston, takes a swing during warm ups during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/The LOVB Austin emcee gets the crowd ready before a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Maya Sands (10) and Logan Lednicky (18) celebrate after a challenge awarded a point to Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Asjia O’Neal and Logan Eggleston (33) defend a tip by Madi Rishel (9) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Julia Brown warms up before a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Brie O’Reilly (17) sets the ball during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/Texas A&M alumni Logan Lednicky (18), now with LOVB Houston, warms up during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Logan Eggleston (33) and Houston’s Jess Mruzik (19) and Raphaela Folie (7) make a play for the ball at the net during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Madi Banks (4) and Asja O’Neal (7) move in to block a kill attempt by Jordan Thompson (23) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Amber Igiede (3) blocks a kill attempt by Madisen Skinner (6) of Austin during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Kaisa Alanko (8) sets the ball during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Amber Igiede (3) and Raphaela Folie (7) celebrate after a point during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s AMber Igiede (3) attempts to put a kill past Asjia O’Neal of Austin during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Madisen Skinner (6) blocks a tip by Jess Mruzik (19) of LOVB Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Raphaela Folie (7) and Jordan Thompson (23) block a kill attempt by Madisen Skinner (6) of Austin during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Asja O’Neal (7) and Carli Lloyd (3) attempt to block a swing by Raphaela Folie (7) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Madison Skinner (6) attempts to block a swing by Jordan Thompson (23) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Carli Lloyd (3) sets the ball for Magdelena Jurczyk (95) during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Raphaela Folie (7) and Jordan Thompson (23) move to block a kill attempt by Madi Banks (4) of Austin during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Kaisa Alanko (8) sets the ball during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/San Antonio Spurs mascot The Coyote throws LOVB Austin gear into the stands in between sets of a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Houston’s Jess Mruzik (19) tips the ball by Brie O’Reilly (17) of Austin during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/LOVB Austin’s Logan Eggleston (33) takes a swing while being defended by Kaisa Alanko (8) and Raphaela Folie (7) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> \"\"\/Lovb Austin’s Madisen Skinner (6) puts a kill by Jordan Thompson (23) and Raphaela Folie (7) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/a> <\/p>\n

Houston (1-3) wasted little time taking control in the first set, ripping off a 10-2 run to build a 12-4 advantage and forcing Austin into tough swings and rushed possessions. Austin never recovered, dropping the opening frame 25-14. <\/p>\n

Austin (3-2) showed more balance in the second set behind setter Carli Lloyd, who spread the offense around and helped the Sol build a 16-11 lead. Logan Eggleston delivered three kills late in the set as Austin pushed ahead 21-19 and looked poised to even the match. <\/p>\n

But Houston responded with its best stretch of the afternoon, closing the set on a 6-0 run to steal the momentum and take a 2-0 lead. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t think we competed very well from the first serve,\u201d said LOVB Austin head coach Erik Sullivan. \u201cI don\u2019t know that we were good in any phase of the game. Hats off to Houston\u2026 they came in and played really clean, put a lot of pressure on us, and we didn\u2019t respond very well.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"LOVB Austin\u2019s Madison Skinner (6) attempts to block a swing by Jordan Thompson (23) of Houston during a League One Volleyball match on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026 at the Frost Bank Center in San Antonio, Texas. (Michael Adams\/Texas Volleyball Journal)<\/p>\n

Houston carried that energy into the third set, continuing to win long rallies and getting key touches at the net to pull away early. The match ended with another 25-14 set, capped by an ace from outside hitter Jess Mruzik.<\/p>\n

Houston finished with advantages across the stat sheet, outkilling Austin 45-25 and winning the blocking battle 9-4 while hitting .398 as a team. <\/p>\n

Amber Igiede was nearly automatic in the middle, finishing with nine kills on 11 swings, while Mruzik added nine kills and Thompson accounted for 21 total points.<\/p>\n

Eggleston led Austin with 10 kills on .417 hitting, but the Sol struggled to generate consistent offense as Houston\u2019s pressure at the net and from the service line kept Austin out of system for long stretches. <\/p>\n

Austin will travel to face LOVB Salt Lake on Thursday, while Houston will look to build on the win when it plays LOVB Atlanta on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

\n\tRelated<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Michael AdamsTexas Volleyball Journal LOVB Houston\u2019s Amber Igiede (3) and Raphaela Folie (7) celebrate after a point…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":137115,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[132,134,133,1067,52187,50639,58167,23760,23759],"class_list":{"0":"post-137114","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-austin","8":"tag-austin","9":"tag-austin-headlines","10":"tag-austin-news","11":"tag-frost-bank-center","12":"tag-jordan-thompson","13":"tag-lovb","14":"tag-lovb-austin","15":"tag-lovb-houston","16":"tag-pro-volleyball"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137114","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137114"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137114\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/137115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137114"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137114"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137114"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}