“And she came into the game and was just whipping these things and I was like, ‘First of all, ma’am!'” Jordan Thompson‘s words convey it clearly about her teammate. Something special went down on the court that day, thanks to a star player. On January 9, 2025, none other than Micha Hancock played LOVB Houston’s League One Volleyball opening game against LOVB Austin, where she pulled her side back from a 4-10 deficit in a must-win final set. And that volleyball action was an absolute treat for sore eyes!

With one block, 12 digs, and 35 assists, Micha Hancock emerged as an ace player in the game. But enough about today. Hancock is a seasoned volleyball athlete who has proved herself repeatedly in several scenarios. She’s donned that Nittany Lions jersey, the Team USA one, and now the LOVB Houston gear too. But what does her career resume look like? Well, here are all the details you need to know!

Micha Hancock is a USA volleyball star with a storied career

Micha Hancock, a left-setter from Edmond, Oklahoma, started making waves in volleyball during her college days at Penn State. By the time she wrapped up her journey at PSU, Hancock had become the all-time ace record holder and the back-to-back national title winner in 2013 and 2014. What came next? The call that every athlete dreams of: a chance to wear the American jersey.

Micha Hancock has been a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team since 2016 and has bagged 3 consecutive Volleyball Nations League gold medals between 2018 and 2021. Well, that’s the year when big things were written on the cards for her. At the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, Hancock helped lead Team USA to its first-ever Olympic gold in women’s volleyball. By then, she had truly cemented her place as a senior leader on the squad!

Although, things happened a little differently three years later in Paris. Micha Hancock was named as the first-ever Olympic “official alternate” for the U.S. Women’s National Team. This meant she would show up to play only if an athlete would get injured and that did happen when setter Lauren Carlini had to sit out hurt. With that, Micha Hancock stepped up, proving yet again why she’s a game-changer, and helped Team USA capture silver at the Paris Games in 2024.

But things took a drastic turn right after Paris when she suffered a devastating injury. On August 12, just hours after celebrating the silver medal win, she and teammate Jordan Thompson were heading back to the Olympic Village in an Uber when the car suddenly crashed into a pole.

Hancock hit her head on the seat in front of her with such force that she feared she might lose her left eye. It was a terrifying moment, but thankfully, she recovered. But today, we are in the first week of January when she is playing for LOVB Houston. And why not? After all, she is LOVB Houston’s Founding Athlete.

Meaning of LOVB and Volleyball for Hancock

Micha Hancock loves LOVB and it’s easy to see why. One of the main reasons for her inclination towards this pro league has stemmed from a simple yet thoughtful idea: What will the next generation of American female volleyball players have to dream about? This vision truly resonates with her. No wonder Hancock is one of eight founding athletes for the league!

And despite the ups and downs in her journey, Micha Hancock is still here chasing that dream today. She and her LOVB Houston teammates made their LOVB debut Thursday, January 9, at home, where she proved why she holds that decorated CV to her name. But this time, her responsibility is multifold. She’s not just a player but a leader for LOVB.

Well, yes. After playing internationally in Puerto Rico, Italy, and Poland, and spending the last seven years back in Italy, Micha Hancock is now stepping into a leadership role on home soil. This brings an exciting challenge in front of her, as her 2025 LOVB team features seven international players! But looking at the way she has led from the front in the opening match, do you think she has the potential to emerge at the top? Let us know below!