LOVB Stars Haleigh Washington & Amber Igiede React to League's Rapid Growth & "Magical" First Season
LOVB superstars Amber Igiede and Haleigh Washington are ready for a new season of professional volleyball, and they hit the 2026 Critics Choice Awards ahead of their return to the court.
Amber Igiede and Haleigh Washington proved they’re just as at home on the red carpet as they are on the volleyball court.
The star middle blockers in League One Volleyball (a.k.a. LOVB, pronounced “love”) attended the 2026 Critics Choice Awards on Jan. 4, flying straight from practice to California for the Hollywood event.
The athletes, who are gearing up for the league’s 2026 season kickoff, were excited to represent their rapidly growing sport on such a big stage.
“It means everything,” Igiede told E! News’ Keltie Knight of taking part in the Critics Choice Awards. “I think LOVB is doing a great job of getting us out there, growing the sport. Being alongside Haleigh, I was so excited to know that she was coming, flying in right after practice.”
Igiede and Washington both joined LOVB for its first season in 2025, and they’ve witnessed the increasing fervor around the sport they love firsthand.
“Women’s volleyball is growing so much, which we finally [get to] appreciate—finally!” Igiede said with a smile. “Having the inaugural season happen was so magical. It was amazing. The fans were great. Being here for the second season, we’re hoping that there are even more fans, and that the sport just continues to grow.”
LOVB’s 2026 season kicks off on Jan. 7 with a First Serve match between last season’s reigning champions LOVB Austin and runners-up LOVB Nebraska (formerly LOVB Omaha).
The next day, Igiede and Washington will be going from red carpet pals to competitors, with Igiede’s LOVB Houston and Washington’s LOVB Salt Lake facing off in a Jan. 8 home opener.
“It’s all competition on the court, but then off the court, it’s peace and love,” Washington shared. “I think we’re just excited to get to compete against each other—and when we’re on the court, it’s no holds barred.”
Catch the first LOVB match of 2026—LOVB Austin v. LOVB Nebraska—on Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m. PT on USA Network.
