BEYOND THE COURT: Volleyball is All in the Family for Alisha Love
04/10/2023
Alisha Love co-owns the Skillz Finest TNL volleyball club with her son and daughter
By Kelsey Burr
DETROIT (April 4, 2023) – Volleyball is a family affair for Alisha Love. For some, running a business alongside your children might seem daunting. But for Alisha, it’s the reason her business succeeds.
The Michigan AAU volleyball member co-owns the Skillz Finest TNL volleyball club with her son, Michael Love Jr., and daughter, Amanda Love.
“My family support is like no other. My entire family works beside me,” said Alisha.
And that’s no exaggeration -- in addition to co-owning the club with Michael Jr. and Amanda, her sons Aaron and Andrew help with physical training, and her husband, Michael Love Sr., was the one who encouraged her to start a club in the first place.
“I was told by my husband: God has blessed you with a gift, and I will help you organize your own club. So, I did, and the rest is history. With this support, you can’t help but be successful,” said Alisha.
Alisha has competed in volleyball for 43 years, first as a player, then as a coach. She’s been involved with AAU Volleyball for more than 20 years, starting when her daughter, Amanda, was just eight years old.
“I got involved with AAU Volleyball because it’s an amazing organization to be a part of and it allows girls to compete in a well-run program against others from all over,” Alisha said. “I started my own club because I saw a need in my community and volleyball was the avenue to help that need. The need was love, discipline, structure and development.”
Alisha isn’t just a dedicated coach on the court – off the court, she also makes sure she takes care of her athletes.
“There were a lot of stumbling blocks because some kids couldn't make it to practice or games, so I decided to purchase a van, and then a bus, to help out. I never left an athlete behind. So, from then on, I decided to drive my girls to our games that were away,” said Alisha.
“Alisha and her family are amazing people that give back to the community they serve,” said Sharon Schatz, Michigan AAU Volleyball District Sport Director and head of Michigan Junior Volleyball Association (MJVBA).
Alisha says that of all her years of coaching, there’s one specific experience that sticks out.
“My greatest coaching experience was coaching my daughter her entire AAU and high school career, and now, coaching with her. What an honor and a privilege. I really and truly enjoy coaching with her.”
Born into a volleyball family, Amanda has played the sport her whole life. She won an AAU State Championship at the age of 11 while playing on a 14-and-under team, became an Under Armour All-American in high school, played at Virginia Commonwealth University, and then played professionally in Croatia and Finland.
“It was that AAU experience that opened the door. I played in middle school, but AAU allowed me to compete against the best volleyball players in the country,” Amanda said in a 2016 article.
Now, both Amanda and Alisha are taking their skills to the USA Volleyball Adult Nationals after qualifying in their respective age groups.
“I am super excited to be playing in the USAV Adult Nationals knowing my daughter is competing in the same nationals,” said Alisha.
The AAU is very proud of this mother-daughter duo and all they’ve accomplished.
DETROIT (April 4, 2023) – Volleyball is a family affair for Alisha Love. For some, running a business alongside your children might seem daunting. But for Alisha, it’s the reason her business succeeds.
The Michigan AAU volleyball member co-owns the Skillz Finest TNL volleyball club with her son, Michael Love Jr., and daughter, Amanda Love.
“My family support is like no other. My entire family works beside me,” said Alisha.
And that’s no exaggeration -- in addition to co-owning the club with Michael Jr. and Amanda, her sons Aaron and Andrew help with physical training, and her husband, Michael Love Sr., was the one who encouraged her to start a club in the first place.
“I was told by my husband: God has blessed you with a gift, and I will help you organize your own club. So, I did, and the rest is history. With this support, you can’t help but be successful,” said Alisha.
Alisha has competed in volleyball for 43 years, first as a player, then as a coach. She’s been involved with AAU Volleyball for more than 20 years, starting when her daughter, Amanda, was just eight years old.
“I got involved with AAU Volleyball because it’s an amazing organization to be a part of and it allows girls to compete in a well-run program against others from all over,” Alisha said. “I started my own club because I saw a need in my community and volleyball was the avenue to help that need. The need was love, discipline, structure and development.”
Alisha isn’t just a dedicated coach on the court – off the court, she also makes sure she takes care of her athletes.
“There were a lot of stumbling blocks because some kids couldn't make it to practice or games, so I decided to purchase a van, and then a bus, to help out. I never left an athlete behind. So, from then on, I decided to drive my girls to our games that were away,” said Alisha.
“Alisha and her family are amazing people that give back to the community they serve,” said Sharon Schatz, Michigan AAU Volleyball District Sport Director and head of Michigan Junior Volleyball Association (MJVBA).
Alisha says that of all her years of coaching, there’s one specific experience that sticks out.
“My greatest coaching experience was coaching my daughter her entire AAU and high school career, and now, coaching with her. What an honor and a privilege. I really and truly enjoy coaching with her.”
Born into a volleyball family, Amanda has played the sport her whole life. She won an AAU State Championship at the age of 11 while playing on a 14-and-under team, became an Under Armour All-American in high school, played at Virginia Commonwealth University, and then played professionally in Croatia and Finland.
“It was that AAU experience that opened the door. I played in middle school, but AAU allowed me to compete against the best volleyball players in the country,” Amanda said in a 2016 article.
Now, both Amanda and Alisha are taking their skills to the USA Volleyball Adult Nationals after qualifying in their respective age groups.
“I am super excited to be playing in the USAV Adult Nationals knowing my daughter is competing in the same nationals,” said Alisha.
The AAU is very proud of this mother-daughter duo and all they’ve accomplished.
Email
Print
