Today we’d like to introduce you to Emily Hartong Slaughter.
Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My introduction to sports began at an early age, influenced by my father’s passion for athletics and the shared enthusiasm of my twin brother. Growing up in a highly active household in Southern California, my siblings and I were immersed in various sports, often with our father serving as our coach. Weekends were spent on soccer fields and baseball diamonds, with our mom providing snacks and all four grandparents cheering us on—fostering a deep appreciation for competition, teamwork, and community.
While my early interests also included drawing, painting, and raiding my older sister’s wardrobe for dress-up, I found my true athletic calling in the 6th grade when I joined Mizuno Long Beach Volleyball Club. I competed with Mizuno Long Beach through high school before continuing my journey at the University of Hawaii, where I was able to merge my passion for volleyball with my love for the ocean. As a student-athlete, I was honored as a three-time All-American—earning Second Team recognition as a middle blocker in my sophomore year, followed by First Team selections in both my junior and senior seasons in the outside hitter position. I graduated with a degree in Communications and went on to pursue a professional volleyball career overseas, competing in Europe and Asia. Eventually, I returned to California to focus on professional beach volleyball, continuing the path shaped by a lifelong connection to sport and family.
I competed on the AVP Tour in beach volleyball while also traveling internationally to participate in FIVB events, including 3 vs. 3 snow volleyball and various other global beach volleyball competitions. One of the highlights of my career was representing Team USA at the ANOC World Beach Games, where we defeated Brazil in the finals to win the gold medal in the 4 vs. 4 beach event.
In late 2019, I was introduced to the future Founder and Chairman of League One Volleyball (LOVB) and soon became part of the founding team. LOVB officially launched in January 2020, and I’ve been proud to contribute to the growth of the sport through this groundbreaking organization.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My life has followed a relatively smooth path, with only a few bumps along the way. After a successful college career and while preparing to transition into the professional world, I suffered a significant setback: a shoulder injury late in my collegiate senior year that required surgery and several months of rehabilitation and therapy.
A few months post-surgery, I moved to Switzerland to begin my pro career in the Champions League. Unfortunately, I wasn’t fully ready to compete again. As a professional athlete, there’s often a different standard—you’re expected to perform, regardless of your condition. I was pressured into returning too soon, and as a result, my shoulder was never quite the same.
Living in Europe and Asia during my early twenties was an unforgettable experience that offered immense personal growth, though it was not without its challenges. Being far from friends and family, coupled with a shift in my identity as an athlete, made it difficult to fully embrace that chapter of my life. Additionally, I had just begun a new relationship—with the person who is now my husband—and the distance added an emotional layer of complexity to an already transformative period.
Being far from friends and family, and not feeling like the athlete I once was, made it difficult to fully enjoy those years. I missed out on important life events, and as someone deeply connected to my loved ones, that distance took a toll. At times, I felt isolated and lonely—especially during my time in Korea, where I was the only foreigner on the team. Although I loved my teammates, we didn’t share a common language. I had a translator with me at all times, but meaningful connection is hard when communication is limited to hand signals and brief phrases.
After three years, I retired from indoor volleyball and transitioned into a professional beach volleyball career. While the beach lifestyle was familiar and fun—something I had grown up around—it came with its own unique challenges. Unlike indoor volleyball, where it’s six players on the court, beach volleyball is just you and one partner. That dynamic changes everything.
Finding the right partner in beach volleyball isn’t just about on-court chemistry—it’s also a strategic business decision. Most leagues use a point system to individually rank athletes, which means your status depends not just on skill, but also on who you team up with. Unless you find the perfect match, you’re constantly searching for a partner whose abilities or ranking can better support your success. This often led to difficult choices, including having to ‘break up’ with partners I had grown close to. As someone who deeply values being a team player, learning to put myself first in that environment was a tough but necessary adjustment.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
League One Volleyball (LOVB, pronounced “love”) is reimagining the future of the sport by building the most vibrant and connected volleyball community in the world. As the leading volleyball organization in the U.S., LOVB operates the #1 volleyball business, with over 1,800+ junior club teams across 66 locations in 26 states. In 2024, LOVB launched LOVB Pro, a professional league for women built from the grassroots up, leveraging its extensive junior club network and led by some of the world’s top players. Through this unique community-up model, LOVB is creating direct pathways for young athletes to connect with and learn from professional players, driving volleyball toward becoming the next major league sport in the United States.
LOVB Pro showcases some of the world’s top volleyball talent, including Olympic gold medalists, NCAA champions, All-Americans, and record-breaking athletes. The excitement began in November 2024 with the LOVB Pro preseason, leading into the inaugural regular season kicking off in January 2025 and culminating in the LOVB Pro Finals in April. The league’s six professional teams are based in Austin, Atlanta, Houston, Madison (WI), Omaha, and Salt Lake City—establishing a strong national presence from the start.
LOVB Pro is athlete-focused, created in collaboration with players, and aims to improve life outcomes for women through volleyball. By offering U.S. athletes the opportunity to play professionally at home (wish I had that!), LOVB is changing the game and providing a platform that supports players through every stage of their careers.
LOVB is committed to putting athletes first and creating better life outcomes for women, a mission that deeply resonated with me as I transitioned from professional volleyball to my first role in the corporate world. From the beginning, LOVB went above and beyond to help me find the right fit within the organization. I’ve been fortunate to gain experience across multiple departments—including club marketing and communications, social media, event planning, pro recruiting, project management, and leading the NIL department. This diverse background has provided a strong foundation and ultimately led to my current role, where I lead the marketing events team at LOVB.
What are your plans for the future?
I’m excited to continue growing with LOVB and to be a part of the league’s ongoing success. Each year, our reach and impact have expanded, and it’s truly inspiring to witness the positive influence we’re having on young athletes and the growth of women’s sports in America.
Outside of my work with LOVB, I run a small jewelry business called Beading Harts Co, which I launched in 2018. It has been a meaningful creative outlet and a rewarding passion project during my free time. I’m lucky to have an older brother who’s a professional photographer and often helps me shoot our marketing campaigns – pro bono!
As I mentioned, I love bringing people together—and that passion for creating memorable experiences ultimately led me to pursue a career in event management at LOVB. Looking ahead, I’m excited to dabble in event planning outside of work—things like weddings, showers, and other special occasions—as a fun way to broaden my experience and apply my skills in new settings.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lovb.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovb/?hl=en
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/leagueonevolleyball/posts/?feedView=all
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@leagueonevolleyball
- Other: https://www.beadinghartsco.com/necklaces
Image Credits
LOVB.com
