Austin Falls in Hard-Fought Texas Rivalry as LOVB Houston Takes Four-Set Win at Berry Center
A spirited Texas rivalry clash between LOVB Austin and LOVB Houston delivered high-level volleyball and dramatic momentum swings Wednesday night at the Berry Center in Houston, but Austin ultimately came up short in a four-set battle.
Houston secured the win 25–21, 20–25, 30–28, 25–13, overcoming Austin’s second-set rally and surviving a tense third set that could have swung the match in either direction.
For Austin fans and the growing professional volleyball community in Central Texas, the match showcased both the team’s offensive firepower and defensive resilience as the club continues building momentum in the League One Volleyball (LOVB) season.
Austin Shows Early Energy Behind Defense and Aggressive Attacks
Austin opened the night with immediate energy as outside hitter Logan Eggleston delivered the match’s first kill.
Strong blocking and disciplined backcourt play helped Austin establish early control, pushing ahead 17–13 in the opening set. However, Houston responded with a late rally to close the set 25–21, shifting early momentum to the home team.
The second set reversed the script.
Houston jumped ahead early while Austin struggled with service errors, but the visitors steadily regained control through improved defense and timely offense.
A momentum-shifting stuff block from middle blocker Bella Bergmark ignited a nine-point surge that flipped an 8–13 deficit into a 17–13 Austin lead. From there, Austin leaned on its outside attack.
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Skinner Leads Offensive Surge as Austin Levels the Match
Madisen Skinner, one of Austin’s most reliable offensive threats this season, delivered multiple powerful swings — including several back-row attacks — to maintain the advantage.
Austin closed the second set 25–20, evening the match and energizing the traveling supporters who made the trip to Houston.
Skinner finished the night as Austin’s top scorer with 20 points, all coming from the attack.
Madi Banks added 15 points, recording 14 kills and an ace, while middle blocker Asjia O’Neal contributed 12 pointswith eight kills and four blocks.
Marathon Third Set Becomes Turning Point of the Match
The third set delivered the most dramatic stretch of the night.
Both teams traded scoring runs in a tightly contested frame that featured multiple ties and long rallies. Austin’s defense continued to shine, led by libero Kotoe Inoue, who anchored the backcourt with 20 digs.
Setter Carli Lloyd orchestrated the offense effectively, frequently connecting with O’Neal in the middle while distributing the ball across Austin’s attackers.
Late in the set, Skinner delivered a powerful kill that gave Austin set point at 24–23, putting the team within reach of a crucial two-set advantage.
Houston answered immediately, and the teams exchanged set points in a tense extended battle.
Houston ultimately edged Austin 30–28, claiming the pivotal frame and shifting momentum decisively.
Houston Pulls Away in Fourth Set
Carrying the emotional lift from the third-set victory, Houston entered the fourth set with aggressive serving pressure.
Austin was pushed out of system repeatedly, limiting its offensive rhythm as Houston controlled the pace of play.
The hosts closed the match 25–13, sealing the four-set victory in front of the Houston crowd.
Houston opposite Jordan Thompson delivered a historic performance, setting LOVB records with 31 kills and 32 total points.
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Austin’s Defense and Distribution Remain Bright Spots
Despite the loss, Austin’s defensive effort remained competitive throughout much of the match.
The team recorded 68 digs, narrowly edging Houston’s 67, while also matching Houston with nine total blocks.
Lloyd and Brie O’Reilly combined for 53 assists, helping Austin maintain a .214 attack efficiency across the match.
The performance reflects the team’s continued progress in areas that matter for long-term success — defensive organization, balanced offensive distribution, and resilience in extended rallies.
What’s Next for LOVB Austin
Austin now turns its attention to the next opportunity on the schedule.
The team will travel north to face LOVB Madison on Sunday, March 15, with first serve scheduled for 2 p.m. Central. The match will air on ESPN+, giving fans another chance to follow the team as the season continues.
For Austin’s professional volleyball community, the competitive showing against Houston reinforced the intensity of the emerging Texas LOVB rivalry, a matchup that continues to draw attention across the league.
Residents and fans can expect Austin to carry lessons from Wednesday’s battle into the next phase of the season as the team continues its pursuit of consistency and playoff positioning.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for continued coverage of LOVB Austin, professional volleyball in Austin, and major sports stories shaping the local community.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.