You win some, you lose some. After feeling the sting of defeat against a fellow Texan team, LOVB Austin has bounced back in the LOVB Pro League and how. They were crushed by Jess Mruzik‘s famous reverse sweep last time, but today, Austin registered their first win of the season (3-0) against Madison! And guess who stole the show this time? Well, it was a veteran mom who returned to the game and won shoutouts from all, including ex-Texas Longhorn, Madisen Skinner.

Despite being faced against a worthy opponent, comprising 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalists Lauren Carlini and Annie Schumacher and former Badger, Sarah Franklin, this mom’s feet did not tremble. Instead, this LOVB Austin star matched up to the challenge, even after a 4-year gap from the pro court. Any guess who she is? Let us tell you, this was none other than Juliann Faucette.

Juliann Faucette hadn’t played pro since 2021 in Italy, yet she was named the player of the match, getting 13 kills while hitting .600 against Madison. No wonder, Madisen Skinner gave her a well-deserved shout-out. Skinner took to Instagram and added LOVB Austin and ESPN’s combined post about Faucette’s achievement to her story and wrote, “So so honored to play alongside this in incredible human.” Also, since the cover photo of the carousel post read, ‘This is why Juliann Faucette is your new role model” Skinner added it to her story and wrote, “She’s BEEN THAT!”

Clearly, Madisen Skinner was in awe of the strength and perseverance Juliann Faucette stands for. After all, what she’s done is extraordinary. After an illustrious career with the University of Texas, Juliann took a brief hiatus from volleyball to embrace motherhood. She became a mother of 3 adorable toddlers and has stepped out of retirement, straight into LOVB Austin’s blue jersey. Not everyone can do that, right?

So how does Juliann Faucette manage this? Well, she confesses that she puts in the hard work and the long hours! And just like, she serves as an inspiration to her kids and the other players. “I envisioned something like this in coming back because you want the hero moment, but to really feel it and do it and have my first professional start after having three children is pretty amazing” Juliann said after the game. Well, the way she played, she did take things into her own hands and created that hero moment for herself!

On the other hand, when it comes to Madisen Skinner, she was part of the LOVB Austin roster but wasn’t on the starters for any of the three sets. But oh, to even be there and watch Juliann Faucette create that magic would have been a spectacular sight. However, this wasn’t the case in the first match against LOVB Houston where Skinner was named on the starters list. And, when it did not end in their favor, the player had an unusual stance.

Madisen Skinner’s surprising reaction after pro debut loss

Madisen Skinner had hoped to make her pro debut with a bang. And with 28 points, 22 kills, and 5 blocks in the January 10 match against LOVB Houston, she did manage to achieve that to a certain extent. The only void was perhaps that missed final victory, which Houston managed to snatch with a cinematic reverse sweep, sending volleyball fans into a frenzy.

For Skinner, this loss should have been a mighty blow in the face, right? Well, if you think so, you hardly know her resilience. Her pride in her team did not waver one bit as she took to her Instagram and wrote, “Proud of this team.” And in fact, anyone who saw the game would be proud of them. The way Austin played, establishing a clear 2-0 lead in the first two sets and then holding onto the game until the fifth one, before it slipped by with a narrow margin, was commendable.

And back that up with this win now! Do you think LOVB Austin can emerge at the top of the League? Share your thoughts with us below!