What If Your Biggest Advantage Is Starting Late

She didn’t grow up in a volleyball town. She didn’t start early. And she didn’t take the easy path.

In this episode of Home Grown: Real Athletes. Real Stories. Big Dreams., we sit down with Lovina Teel, a Jacksonville High School ('24) athlete who found volleyball in eighth grade—and turned a late start into a Division I opportunity.

Now, after a breakout junior college career, Lovina has officially signed to play Division I volleyball at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.

Her journey is built on adaptability, resilience, and doing the work when no one’s watching.

We dive into:
🏐 Starting volleyball late and catching up fast
🏐 Training through COVID and staying consistent
🏐 Switching positions and becoming a complete hitter
🏐 The difference between high school and club volleyball
🏐 Junior college success at Richard Bland & St. Johns River
🏐 Visualization, film study, and mental toughness
🏐 Competing at nationals and handling pressure
🏐 Why JUCO volleyball is underrated
🏐 Signing Division I and what comes next

Lovina’s story proves: It’s not when you start. It’s how you respond.

Presented by Humphrey Heating & Air Conditioning

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