It happened y’all! I had one of those rare, “pinch me” moments

I was asked to co-emcee the very first LOVB Finals, yes, the inaugural championship, at the iconic KFC YUM! Center in Louisville. When I say the energy was next-level, I mean it felt like a movement in history. A powerful, vibrant, absolutely electric celebration of women’s volleyball and the culture surrounding it.

If you haven’t heard of LOVB (League One Volleyball) yet, now’s the time to get familiar. This league is changing the game for women’s sports in the U.S., not just building teams, but building community, investing in youth development, and giving volleyball the professional stage it has always deserved. It’s fast-paced, high-skill, and the passion these athletes bring? Unreal.

Being on that mic, looking out over a packed arena, and watching the best of the best compete in a moment that’s never happened before, that’s something I’ll carry with me for a long time.

But beyond the lights and the scoreboard, it was the behind-the-scenes joy that made it so special. The players were hilarious, goofing around during downtime, keeping things light, dancing through warmups. Total silliness. It reminded me how much love and personality these women bring to the game, even under high-stakes pressure.

And then there was that trophy. Let me tell you… Tiffany & Co. didn’t just show up, they showed out. The trophy was custom-designed by them, and so sacred that no one could touch it without wearing white gloves. Yes, white gloves. That’s the level of prestige and intention this league is operating with.

There were even a few surprise celeb sightings in the building, but I’ll leave some things to the imagination. 😉 Let’s just say the culture is watching and LOVB is making a statement.

I’m beyond grateful to the entire LOVB organization for trusting me to help bring the energy to this historic night. I’m still buzzing from it. This league is doing something special, and I’m just honored to have had a front-row seat, and a mic, in the middle of it all.

Until the next moment,

-Jay