Eye-Popping Numbers Earn Thompson, Carlini Player of the Week Nods
Published on February 23, 2026 under League One Volleyball (LOVB) News Release
A pair of League One Volleyball's Founding Athletes earned weekly honors after tremendous showings while leading their respective teams to big wins last week.
Offensive Player of the Week: Jordan Thompson, Opposite Hitter, LOVB Houston
Jordan Thompson erupted for 52 kills in just eight sets last week, averaging 6.5 per set. She posted a blistering .422 attack efficiency and added two aces and four blocks for 58 total points, the second-best two-match scoring performance in league history.
Landing 26 kills in both matches played, she twice tied for second place on LOVB's single-match kills list. Due to Thompson's offensive firepower, Houston beat LOVB Salt Lake in four sets on the road February 21.
This is the Minneapolis, Minnesota native's second Player of the Week award this season.
Thompson leads the league in total points, total kills, points per set, and kills per set so far in 2026 after doing the same in all four categories last year.
Defensive Player of the Week: Lauren Carlini, Setter, LOVB Madison
Lauren Carlini loves to play defense for LOVB Madison, and she proved as much last week by making 33 digs - 3.30 per set - and posting a .767 dig percentage. She also posted a .512 Dig to Create, meaning Madison attackers made good attacks on over half of Carlini's digs.
A true six-rotation setter, Carlini also added one block and four positive touches.
The Aurora, Illinois native made a match-leading 16 digs while also breaking LOVB's assist record with 64 as Madison downed Nebraska in five sets February 22, snapping an eight-match losing streak. She's tallied 126 digs so far this season, tied for third-most in LOVB and the highest tally by a non-libero.
League One Volleyball returns Wednesday, February 25 when defending champion LOVB Austin hosts current league leader LOVB Salt Lake at Austin's H-E-B Center at Cedar Park. LOVB's Match of the Week will begin at 7 p.m. Central/6 p.m. Mountain and air nationwide on USA Network.
Previous LOVB Players of the Week
Offensive Player of the Week
February 16: Onye Ofoegbu, Middle Blocker, LOVB Atlanta
February 9: Serena Gray, Middle Blocker, LOVB Salt Lake
February 2: Jordan Thompson, Opposite Hitter, LOVB Houston
January 26: Jordyn Poulter, Setter, LOVB Salt Lake
January 19: Callie Schwarzenbach, Middle Blocker, LOVB Madison
January 12: Serena Gray, Middle Blocker, LOVB Salt Lake
Defensive Player of the Week
February 16: Lauren Briseño, Libero, LOVB Houston
February 9: Manami Kojima, LIbero, LOVB Salt Lake
February 2: Ana Carolina da Silva, Middle Blocker, LOVB Nebraska
January 26: Jordyn Poulter, Setter, LOVB Salt Lake
January 19: Gong Xiangyu, Opposite Hitter, LOVB Madison
January 12: Kotoe Inoue, Libero, LOVB Austin
League One Volleyball Stories from February 23, 2026
- Eye-Popping Numbers Earn Thompson, Carlini Player of the Week Nods - LOVB
- LOVB Madison Coach Matt Fuerbringer to Join USAV After 2026 Pro Season - LOVB Madison
- Nebraska Falls Short After Going the Distance with Madison - LOVB Nebraska
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