MIA VORKROPER / CONTRIBUTOR

The San Diego Mojo began play in the league’s inaugural 2024 season as part of an eight team Major League Volleyball (MLV). After a rough start they staged an incredible comeback with a record of 13-11 and ended third overall seed heading into the playoffs. This year, they are in a tie for third place in the league and are currently 6-1 out of their last seven matches.

Their wins aren’t the only thing on  the rise, a rapidly growing professional volleyball league  in  America could  mean big things — for the  sport, the city and  women  in  sports  everywhere.

Coached by former U.S. Olympic bronze medalist Alisha Glass Childress, the team has shown strong perseverance — coming back from a 0-3 start to now being fourth in the league, with 14 regular-season matches remaining.

San Diego Mojo player Marin Grote  described  the  team’s   identity. 

“Yeah, I think we are relentless,” Grote said. “We’re gritty, and we’re resilient you know, it doesn’t matter if we’re down, we’re gonna fight our way to flock and win that game.” 

Before MLV, athletes who wanted to play professionally had to go overseas — something that can be extremely daunting

 USD Head Volleyball Volleyball Coach Jennifer Petrie talked about the advantages MLV has for her athletes.

“My players now don’t have to travel overseas to play professional volleyball,” Petrie Petrie remarked. “So not only is it good for the youth but it’s good for our girls to have opportunities here in San Diego.” 

The universal gratitude toward the rising opportunities for women’s sports is apparent. With the iconic record breaking attendance at the Nebraska versus Omaha game in 2023 and youth participation increasing by 41% since 2023, the growth of women’s volleyball is providing access and recognition not previously available.

Grote  reflected  on  the gratitude she shares with her teammates. 

“For women’s sport, we have to fight tooth and nail for anything that we have,” Grote said. “And I think it means more to us because we’ve had to work so much harder for even just a little bit of the same recognition. And so we are all full of gratitude every day that we get to play sports.”   

Eduarda Sjobom, a USD Club Volleyball player reflected on her experience in high school, 

“In high school, compared to certain sports, like football, the games would  always  be  packed  and then our volleyball games, even though we were better than the football team, we would only have like 10 people there,” Sjobom stated. The impact of a professional team will provide evidence to youth and athletes around the world that people are interested in the success of this sport and broader, women’s athletics. 

 Although San Diego has historically struggled to keep professional teams — the San Diego Chargers relocation still lingers bitterly in our hearts — the Mojo’s current presence is evident of a rising interest in the sport. With Mojo adding a fifth team  on  San  Diego’s  professional sports roster, the city’s love for the beach apparently doesn’t interfere with their passion for athletics. Going into  their third year, the San Diego Mojo’s presence is hopefully the beginning of expanding the fan base for both the city and women’s professional sports. 

USD junior and football player Caden Leonard reflected on the impact  of  professional  sports  on  a city. 

“I think what sports teams — specifically professional sports teams — do is they visually and physically represent something that you can kind of stand behind,” Arnold said.

San Diego chose well with their brand as a well-known hot spot of talent for volleyball players. Mojo’s addition puts San Diego on the map for the beginning of a successful league.

The Mojo’s success means a lot  for  women  in  volleyball. With two new teams set for arrival in 2027, Northern California and Minnesota, a strong professional MLV program could change the game for college athletes. 

San  Diego  Mojo  is set to play at  Viejas   Arena next on  March 25.  

San Diego Mojo players celebrate on the court. Photo courtesy @sandiegomojovb/Instagram