The 2025 Volleyball Nations League (VNL) is returning to the States. The UT Arlington College Park Center in Arlington, Texas, will host week three of the VNL from July 9 to 13. “We are excited to return to Arlington for another year,” said head coach Erik Sullivan. “It’s a great venue with great fans, and it’s always special competing in front of a home crowd for VNL,” he added, and this time the roster has five players with roots in Texas, including Madisen Skinner.

Skinner’s sister, Avery Skinner, Logan Eggleston, and middle blockers Asjia O’Neal and Brionne Butler will also join Madisen Skinner in Texas. “I think this roster for week three brings a good mix of talent that will position us well to compete against some tough competition,” Coach Sullivan said about the team. However, for those excited to see the Skinner sisters share the court, there’s a huge catch.

“Madisen Skinner and Taylor Mims are the listed alternates ahead of USA’s match against Thailand tomorrow in Week 3 of the VNL,” Avid Volleyball posted on X. “Marketing your stars and having them eligible to play when your games are on network TV in primetime should be something taken into consideration. They’re in Texas… and Madi can’t play the first game? Meh,” the page added to the thread.

In addition to the Skinner sisters not appearing in the starting lineup for the match against Thailand, Taylor Mims will also be sidelined for Game 1. Mims, along with Stephanie Samedy, Danielle Cuttino, and Tia Jimerson, are among the four Arlington players set to make their 2025 VNL debuts. Thankfully, Avery Skinner will make her debut in Game 1 after acting as the alternate so far.

Madisen Skinner has already talked about the positivity her sister has brought to her 2025 NVL experience. “I mean, I’ve passed her in the gym a couple of times, and we’ve been at home. It’s so nice to have a familiar face and someone, obviously, that I love so much,” the 23-year-old said in an interview with the Volleyball Coverage Channel. Yet, it’s not like Texas volleyball fans don’t have the chance to see the Skinners share the court at all.

There’s hope for Madisen Skinner making the starting lineup

The inaugural LOVB champion, with Austin serving as the alternate for the first game in Arlington, is a bummer. However, Avid Volleyball also brought something else to the fans’ attention. “Alternates can be switched game to game. They can change them ahead of Thursday’s game against the Dominican Republic,” the volleyball page posted.

After Thailand, Team USA will take on the Dominican Republic, before facing Canada and China. So there’s not one but multiple chances that Coach Sullivan may decide to insert Madisen Skinner in the starting lineup. What’s more? The former University of Texas volleyball star has also proven her versatility. Originally an outside hitter, Skinner has played as an opposite hitter in the VNL.

On June 23, the 23-year-old spoke about her experience. “I’m still adjusting and I’m still learning,” she told the Volleyball Coverage Channel. “It’s a challenge for me but it’s been awesome and I’m excited to see where this position can take me,” said the volleyball star. Yet, you wouldn’t know it watching Skinner play, as she notched 32 points against Serbia in her 2025 VNL debut.

So, while the Texas college volleyball icon is starting out as the alternate in Arlington, there’s a chance that Coach Sullivan might move her to the active roster in any or all of the other matches during the third round.