LOVB Nebraska, TeamMates Rally Around Community

LOVB Nebraska partners with TeamMates Mentoring, bringing shared Nebraska values front and center at every home match

OMAHA, Neb. – LOVB Nebraska announced today a community partnership with the TeamMates Mentoring Program, bringing together two organizations rooted in Nebraska and connected by the importance of relationships, belonging and supporting the next generation.

Founded in 1991 by Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne, TeamMates helps students reach their full potential through mentoring. Its emphasis on consistent encouragement and connection aligns with LOVB Nebraska's commitment to building a professional team that reflects the people, values and communities of the state.

“As a coach, I saw how consistent support and encouragement helped young people build confidence,” said Kirsten Bernthal Booth, president of business operations for LOVB Nebraska. “TeamMates mentors provide that support for students in communities across Nebraska. We’re proud to partner with an organization whose work reflects the relationships and sense of belonging we want to build through LOVB Nebraska.”

The relationship also connects two organizations with ties to Nebraska athletics. TeamMates began in Lincoln with 22 Husker football players mentoring local middle school students. Today, the organization serves students in communities across Nebraska and five other states. LOVB Nebraska’s roster for the 2026-27 season includes four former Husker volleyball alumnae: Jordan Larson, Lexi Rodriguez, Rebekah Allick and Lindsay Krause Wildeman.

As part of the partnership, the TeamMates logo will appear on the net tape at every LOVB Nebraska home match. The placement will increase visibility for TeamMates and its mentoring mission while putting the organizations’ shared values at the center of the court.

"At TeamMates, we firmly believe that any student who wants a mentor, deserves a mentor," said Vicky Howick, director of operations for TeamMates. "Students need an additional caring, consistent, trusting adult in their life to help them reach their full potential. We are grateful to partner with an organization that values those connections and takes pride in community impact. Our hope is that this partnership inspires more people to help take one more student off the waiting list and become a mentor."

To learn more about TeamMates or become a mentor, visit teammates.org.

About TeamMates Mentoring

TeamMates Mentoring is a nonprofit organization founded by Dr. Tom and Nancy Osborne in 1991 with a mission to positively impact the world by inspiring students to reach their full potential through mentoring. TeamMates is the largest school-based mentoring program in the nation that has served more than 54,000 students since its inception and proudly serves 10,000 students in 191 chapters across Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, and Wyoming. For more information about the TeamMates Mentoring program, visit teammates.org.

About LOVB Nebraska

LOVB Nebraska is a professional women's volleyball team based in Omaha and representing the entire State of Volleyball. The team, which began play in 2025, is an inaugural member of LOVB Pro – the professional league of League One Volleyball (LOVB, pronounced "love") and the nation's first professional volleyball league built from the club level up. Through LOVB's connected youth, club and professional model, LOVB Nebraska brings world-class athletes and elite competition to one of the country's deepest volleyball cultures while growing the game, inspiring the next generation and giving Nebraskans a professional team that reflects who they are.