League One Volleyball (LOVB) finally kicked off its first season at Atlanta yesterday, after years of planning an investment. Raising $160 million helped the League realize its vision of presenting volleyball in a more in-depth manner than ever before. And while not everyone was pleased with the style of the first-ever LOVB broadcast, the league’s debut was nothing short of a success.

That’s because, despite some broadcast errors, no such issues plagued the actual game inside the Atlanta arena. What’s more? The home side’s supporters showed up in droves to support their team and the fledgling league. “LOVB sold out the Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta,” posted Huskers Illustrated writer Lincoln Arneal on X. An incredible milestone for the league’s debut.

The clash between Atlanta and Salt Lake saw the venue host “a sold-out 3,239 fans at its inaugural match,” added Arneal. The volleyball reporter also shared League One Volleyball’s original post, in which the league thanked the fans. “Atlanta, you showed out. The gym was electric and filled to capacity for our inaugural First Serve!” League One Volleyball expressed their excitement.

However, the turnout wasn’t just a milestone for the new pro league but for the sport. The League One Volleyball filling out the arena in Atlanta is proof of the sport’s growth beyond college volleyball. Women’s college volleyball has been regularly breaking records since the Nebraska Huskers filled Memorial Stadium with 92,003 fans in 2023.

College volleyball is setting new benchmarks even in viewership, with over 1.5 million tuning in to watch the 2023 and 2024 NCAA Championship finals. However, what makes League One Volleyball’s comparatively minuscule 3,239 attendance record significant is that it marks a point where fans don’t need decades of history or heritage to support the sport, team, or players. However, with that said, those numbers may soon climb as the league progresses and they visit bigger venues.

How League One Volleyball’s response indicates a bright future

While the game was free of technical glitches or hiccups for the live audience, fans who watched on TV or accessed the much-hyped Match Central feature online ran into trouble. May complained about how they didn’t like the frequent cuts during the live broadcast and the overall camera angles. Meanwhile, others couldn’t see live stats on Match Central despite the match being underway.

“I don’t know who at LOVB needs to hear this, but please stick with the sideline cameras. it is crisp and good. The cuts, the switches, the missing plays… it’s BAD,” Avid Volleyball posted on X. Several fans agreed and chimed in with their grievances. However, League One Volleyball’s immediate response to the criticism surprised the fans in a good way.

“We hear you! In our first match, we appreciate everyone’s feedback as we test and learn. We want to deliver the best, and we are adjusting our broadcast! Keep the feedback coming!” the official League One Volleyball handle posted, encouraging further conversation in the comments. Such a quick and positive response is sure to win over even more fans.

After all, organizers prioritizing fan feedback in such cases isn’t too common. So who knows? Maybe even more people tune in to watch the next League One Volleyball match. At the end of the day, fans only want to be heard, and LOVB has done that. Yet, what do you think? Will League One Volleyball set another record when they visit Atlanta on January 31?