Atlanta vs. Houston was everything I didn't know I needed—except maybe a win. Walking into Overtime Elite Arena for the LOVB matchup between Atlanta and Houston, the energy was palpable. I felt like I was walking backstage at a concert with the music and sheer light show that was filling the arena. With a capacity of roughly 1,300, the venue felt intimate yet intense. This is one of two venues where the LOVB Atlanta team plays. They also host games at Gateway Center Arena, where the Atlanta Dream also plays. This game started in true Atlanta fashion, and I don’t know why I expected anything different. The DJ stopped the pre-game music so that the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus could kick off the evening. The first serve featured Ty Young, a former WNBA player and assistant coach.

At the entrance, fans were greeted with a table where they could make friendship bracelets or posters, and grab commemorative pins with the phrase LOVB Wins—touches that made the experience feel more like a community gathering than just another game. The crowd was small but mighty, enthusiastic, and unapologetically engaged. If you're used to the hushed reverence of tennis, professional volleyball is a stark contrast.

Despite the home crowd advantage, Atlanta ultimately fell to Houston 3-1 in a hard-fought match. The professional format—best of 5 sets compared to college's best of 3—gave both teams plenty of opportunity to fight back from deficits. Another notable difference from college volleyball: teams don't switch sides of the court after each set. Instead, they follow a 2-2-1 rotation, which takes some getting used to as a fan of the college game.

In many ways, the two teams felt like complete opposites, even though the cities themselves share many similarities. Atlanta's coach signaled plays discreetly behind his back, while Houston's coach opted for more visible signals in front of her torso. Atlanta’s bench danced, but Houston’s bench was in the air. There's something infectious about watching a team heading into a timeout while they're up—nobody looks happier.

The crowd's enthusiasm was contagious throughout the night, especially as they weighed in on coach challenges. Fans were encouraged to be loud, and they delivered. It's this kind of atmosphere that makes women's professional sports feel like they're building something special—community-first, competition-driven, and unapologetically fun.

Atlanta brought the party. Houston brought the win. And I brought my feelings. As exciting as it was to see professional women's volleyball in Atlanta, the evening left me with mixed emotions about the city's women’s sports landscape. There's a longer conversation to be had about why I'm now less excited that Atlanta is getting an NWSL team—but that's a story for another time. For now, I'm grateful for nights like these that remind me why women's sports matter and why showing up in person to support them makes all the difference.

The real win? Getting to meet KK Hansborough in person. Check her out on Threads for more media featuring Atlanta women’s sports!