On the Court Where a Dream Took Shape
On January 24, 2024, inside a roaring Omaha arena, the Atlanta Vibe clinched a fiveset thriller in the firstever Major League Volleyball match. For Colleen Craig, standing amid the noise, tension, and celebration, the moment was more than a win it was the realization of a dream years in the making. “I don’t know if you can beat that… maybe the next big inflection point is when you see it at State Farm Arena.” Colleen says. That victory marked a powerful beginning for Georgia’s first professional women’s volleyball team and for the woman determined to build something meaningful for the city and community.
A Mission Grounded in Purpose
To Colleen, life’s north star comes down to a guiding principle: “How can I utilize my God-given talents to do the greatest good?” “How can I give back?” These principles have defined her path from Cornell, where she walked on as a two-spot athlete in track and volleyball, to earning her MBA at Harvard, to a successful career in finance and entrepreneurship.
Each chapter prepared her for this one leading the professional women’s volleyball team in Georgia and participating on the Major League Volleyball Board of Governors. Finding home in Atlanta, Colleen, who is the first female owner in Major League Volleyball, wasn’t sure she would stay in Atlanta for more than a few years. Colleen was born in Buffalo, NY and first moved south after receiving her MBA in 1996. She returned in 2013 after years in the NYC financial services industry to raise her three sons near family. It didn’t take long for Atlanta to win her over. “You get down here and immediately realize Atlanta is special… Many people are transplants…folks are so nice…there are Fortune 100, Fortune 500 companies... not to mention great weather. I fell in love with it.” she says. Her growing love for Atlanta, combined with a desire for meaningful impact, pushed her to search for new opportunities especially through sport.
Building the Base: LakePoint and Rally Volleyball
Stepping away from her hedge fund career in New York City, Colleen reflected on what helped her succeed in the business arena. A common denominator was her sports experience. She dug deep into the process conducting her own primary research,
immersing herself in the industry and meeting with stakeholders across the country. She saw quickly where she could help. She noticed a fragmented volleyball ecosystem coupled with massive participation and significant upside potential. “They need to apply some basic business principles… I can help with that.” Her early foothold came at LakePoint Sports in Cartersville, which inspired an even larger vision. In 2014, she launched Rally Volleyball a platform supporting youth, collegiate and adult participation through leagues, tournaments and volleyball programming.
A Defining Moment at the AVCA Convention
By 2022, she was searching for the “top of the pyramid” a way to elevate the sport at its highest level. That moment arrived at the American Volleyball Coaches Association Convention, where she learned about Major League Volleyball’s initial franchises. Within weeks, she knew Atlanta should have one too. By February 2023, Colleen signed to launch the Atlanta Vibe, with a debut season scheduled for 2024. “This is a traditional pro sport… You own a franchise.. You operate in your city. This is a no brainer.”
Launching the Vibe: A Team Rooted in Community
Now in their third season, the Vibe compete in a deep and talented Major League Volleyball landscape while forging a presence in three distinct arenas: the consciousness of sports fans in Georgia, on the floor against their opponents and in an impactful way in Atlanta communities. The 2026 Vibe schedule includes 12 home matches at Gas South Arena in Duluth and two in downtown Atlanta at the Georgia State Convocation Center, a deliberate choice to reach diverse communities. “We represent a wide swath of the city.” Colleen sees this opportunity as building a community asset, not a private venture. She brings a startup mindset to build smart, strong, and with purpose.
A Vision That Extends Far Beyond the Court
For Colleen, the Omaha win remains a cherished memory, but it’s only the beginning. She imagines bigger arenas, broader reach, stronger pathways for women athletes, and a sustainable future for professional volleyball in the U.S. Atlanta Vibe isn’t just a team it’s a movement, a mission, and a statement about what’s possible when passion, purpose and community come together.
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