USA Volleyball and coach Karch Kiraly introduced the 2024 ladies’s Olympic staff roster Wednesday and it contains a number of the mainstays from the staff that received gold in Tokyo in 2021.
It additionally has new Olympic faces.
Whereas a number of the slots on the 12-player, one-official alternate roster have been all however inevitable, the three largest questions all alongside have been who can be the 4 outdoors hitters, who can be the 2 setters, and who can be the alternate.
The 4 outsides are Olympic veterans Jordan Larson — now a four-time Olympian — and Kelsey Robinson Cook dinner and first-timers Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner.
The setters are returning Olympian Jordyn Poulter and first-timer Lauren Carlini.
And this system listed 5 alternates, setter Micha Hancock, outdoors Ali Frantti, libero Morgan Hentz, center Anna Corridor and out of doors Khalia Lanier.
“Roster alternatives like this convey each the bitter and the candy,” Kiraly stated in a information launch. “The bitter is that we can’t journey all 25 of those particular ladies to Paris. However we are going to carry them in our hearts and ideas, and they’re going to proceed to make us higher till the final ball drops.
“The candy is that our Olympic roster is now clear, and we’re ecstatic for this group, and for our program. This group of athletes will probably be set to convey their finest and be their most bulletproof, in what is likely to be the deepest Olympic event ever.”
USA Volleyball stated it’s going to wait to call its one official alternate, who will journey to Paris and will be subbed in for an injured participant throughout the event.
“Our 5 alternates are a particular group with tough but essential duties,” Kiraly stated. “They need to convey a great model of themselves every single day; do every thing they will to make the staff higher; and keep prepared in case of damage or sickness. No one is extra able to exceeding in these duties than these 5 ladies.”
The middles, as presumed, are returning Olympians Haleigh Washington and Chiaka Ogbogu and newcomer Dana Rettke.
The opposites are returning Olympians Jordan Thompson and Annie Drews.
The libero is returning Olympian Justine Wong-Orantes.
A have a look at each participant follows.
That is the primary time the Olympics is permitting an official alternate, a plus-one so to talk.
Kiraly informed us this in Might earlier than the primary spherical of Volleyball Nations League:
“We anticipate to have an ‘alternate’ at every place due to damage or sickness. However a type of 5 will probably be designated because the official alternate and have a credential and be there with us in Paris. After which one other of these 5 will probably be an unofficial alternate and can journey with us to Paris to make it so we are able to have the most efficient coaching classes attainable, with seven on all sides of the online and a full contingent of personnel.”
The USA completed 7-1 in Tokyo to win this system’s first gold medal, sweeping Brazil within the closing.
The Paris Olympics ladies’s volleyball begins July 28 with the gold-medal match August 11.
Setters
Jordyn Poulter: 6-2, Illinois (2018), Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri (2018-19, 2019-20), Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio (2020-21, 2022-22), Igor Gorgonzola Novara (2022-23).
Poulter was the standout setter on the Tokyo Olympics staff, lacking one match with a badly sprained proper ankle. However she recovered in time to play within the semifinals after which lead the USA to gold.
Nevertheless, within the December 2022, whereas enjoying for Novara in Italy, Poulter blew out her left knee. She tore her ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus. Poulter first rehabbed after which returned to the USA fitness center in Anaheim and spent a lot of the previous yr coaching with Kiraly. She returned to the court docket for the primary time in a yr and a half within the first match of Volleyball Nations League towards Thailand on Might 15.
Poulter goes to play with LOVB in Salt Lake.
Lauren Carlini: 6-1, Wisconsin (2017), Savino Del Bene Scandicci (2017-18), Igor Gorgonzola Novara (2018-19), Dinamo Moscow (2019-20), Türk Hava Yolları SK (2020-21, 2021-22), VBC Trasporti Pesanti Casalmaggiore (2022-23, 2023-24), Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor (2023-24).
Carlini was the important thing participant in Wisconsin’s resurgence, all the time considered a future Olympian, and has had a stellar professional profession. However she didn’t make the Tokyo staff and the way onerous that hit her and the way she handled it’s effectively documented.
Carlini goes to play with LOVB in Madison.
Libero
Justine Wong-Orantes: 5-6, Nebraska (2016), SSC Palmberg Schwerin (2019-20), VC Wiesbaden (2020-21, 2021-22), Béziers Volley (2022-23), SC Potsdam (2023-24).
JWO has established herself as maybe the very best libero on the earth. She was the anchor of the USA staff in Tokyo
Wong-Orantes goes to play for LOVB in Omaha.
Middles
Haleigh Washington: 6-3, Penn State (2017), Conad Olimpia Teodora Ravenna (2017-18), Banca Valsabbina Millenium Brescia ((2018-19), Unet E-Work Busto Arsizio (2019-20), Igor Gorgonzola Novara (2020-21), Savino Del Bene Scandicci (2022-23, 2023-24).
She won’t be the tallest participant, however Washington has the most important character on the staff. Washington was the very best center on the Tokyo Olympics.
Washington goes to play for LOVB in Salt Lake.
Dana Rettke: 6-8, Wisconsin (2022), Allianz Vero Volley Milano (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24),
Rettke, when on, is a power as a blocker who can hit a vicious slide. She is the tallest participant on the staff. She was the primary five-time first-team All-American, who acquired an additional season at Wisconsin that paid off with an NCAA title.
Rettke is signed to play with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in Istanbul, Türkiye, subsequent season.
Chiaka Ogbogu: 6-2, Texas (2018), Il Bisonte Firenze (2017-18), Chemik Police (2018-19), A. Carraro Imoco Conegliano (2019-20), Eczacıbaşı VitrA (2020-21). VakifBank (2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24).
Ogbogu is an undersized however high-jumping center who has had an amazing professional profession. She was a backup to Washington and Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson on the Tokyo staff that received gold.
Ogbogu will play for LOVB in Austin.
Opposites
Jordan Thompson: 6-4, Cincinnati (2019), Fenerbahçe Opet (2019-20), Eczacıbaşı Dynavit (2020-21, 2021-22), Vero Volley Milano (2022-23), VakifBank (2023-24).
Thompson led the NCAA in kills in 2019 with 240 greater than the subsequent hitter. She’s had a powerful professional profession and in Tokyo was on her technique to making a powerful case to being Olympics MVP earlier than getting injured within the fourth match.
“JT” is the one participant on the staff who didn’t play at a Energy 5 college. She is going to play for LOVB in Houston.
Annie Drews: 6-4, Purdue (2016), Indias de Mayagüez (2015-16), Criollas de Caguas (2016-17), Sab Volley Legnano (2017-18), Pomì Casalmaggiore (2017-18), Beylikdüzü (2018-19), Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia (2022-23), JT Marvelous (2023-2024).
Drews has had a protracted and geographically various professional profession, spending two of the previous three seasons dominating in Japan. The high-flying, hard-hitting lefty got here in for Thompson within the Tokyo Olympics and was nothing wanting incredible, particularly within the knockout rounds. She didn’t play within the first two rounds of VNL.
Drews will play for LOVB in Madison.
Outdoors hitters
Jordan Larson: 6-2, Nebraska (2008), Vaqueras de Bayamón (2008-09), Dinamo Kazan (2009-10 via 2013-14), Eczacıbaşı VitrA (2014-15 via 2018-19), Shanghai Brilliant Ubest (2019-20 via 2021-22), Athletes Limitless (2020-21), Vero Volley Milano (2021-22, 2022-23).
“The Governor” would be the previous girl of USA Volleyball, however think about that at 37 this previous Saturday towards Poland Larson had 20 kills with one error — that try was blocked — in 40 assaults to hit .475. She additionally had a block and 11 digs. There are few issues she hasn’t achieved in volleyball, together with being named MVP of the Tokyo Olympics. Larson has earned the fitting to name her personal photographs, which she did this previous yr by electing to not play professionally and easily practice for this summer time.
Larson will play for LOVB in Omaha.
Kelsey Robinson Cook dinner: 6-2, Tennessee, Nebraska (2014), Beijing BAIC Motor (2014-15), Leonas de Ponce (2014-15), Imoco Volley Conegliano (2015-16), Beijing BAIC Motor (2016-17), Imoco Volley Conegliano (2016-17), VakıfBank (2017-18, 2018-19), Fenerbahçe Opet (2019-20), Guangdong Evergrande (2020-21), Fenerbahçe Opet (2020-21), Toyota Auto Physique Queenseis (2021-22), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2022-23, 2023-24).
The seasoned veteran Cook dinner, who has performed in China, Puerto Rico, Italy and Türkiye, is an outdoor hitter who has performed libero on the nationwide staff. She is rock regular in all phases of the sport and is remarkably environment friendly on offense and an amazing defensive participant. Cook dinner is 31 and the final word baller.
Cook dinner will play for LOVB in Atlanta.
Kathryn Plummer: 6-6, Stanford (2019), Saugella Group Monza (2019-20), Denso Airybees (2020-21), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2021-22 via 2023-24).
Plummer could be a high-risk participant (passing, hitting errors) however can ship on offense like nobody else on the roster. She is a monster hitter and after Rettke the tallest participant on the staff. She had an amazing season for Conegliano this yr, together with large matches when her staff received the Italian League and European Champions League title.
Plummer is signed to play in Türkiye subsequent season with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in Istanbul.
Avery Skinner: 6-1, Kentucky (2021), Baylor, Béziers Volley (2022-23), Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri (2023-24).
The athletic Skinner simply retains getting higher and higher. She’s solely been on a nationwide staff since enjoying within the Pan Am Cup in 2022 — when she was finest spiker and finest scorer — and is coming off a standout season for Chieri in Italy. She performed in each rounds of VNL and continued to thrive.
Skinner is signed to return to Chieri subsequent season.
Alternates
Micha Hancock: 5-11, Penn State (2015), Indias de Mayagüez (2014-15), Prosecco Doc-Imoco Conegliano (2014-15), Tauron Banimex MKS Dąbrowa Górnicza (2015-16), Impel Wrocław (2016-17), Saugella Group Monza (2017-18, 2018-19), Igor Gorgonzola Novara (2019-20, 2021-22), Megabox Ondulati Del Savio Vallefoglia (2022-23), VBC Trasporti Pesanti Casalmaggiore (2023-24).
Hancock, who has had an amazing professional profession, stepped in and took over for the USA when Poulter was injured in Tokyo. The People received that match in 5 units towards Italy and with Hancock setting the complete match, beat the Dominican Republic. Hancock goes to pay with LOVB in Houston.
Morgan Hentz: 5-9, Stanford (2019), Dresdner SC 1898 (2020-21), Athletes Limitless (2021-22) via 2023-24), Atlanta Vibe (2023-24).
There are many individuals who assume Hentz is the second finest libero on the earth. There isn’t a one faster on a volleyball court docket. She will get to balls and makes performs that others wouldn’t even contact. Hentz selected to forgo worldwide professional volleyball for Athletes Limitless and that has extended her profession.
Ali Frantti: 6-1, Penn State (2017), Calcit Volley (2017-18), ASPTT Mulhouse Volley-Ball (2018-19), DevelopRes SkyRes Rzeszów (2019-20), Reale Mutua Fenera Chieri (2020-21), VBC Trasporti Pesanti Casalmaggiore (2022-23), VakifBank (2023-24).
Frantti has merely gotten higher each step of the best way since enjoying at Penn State, the place she received the NCAA title with Hancock and Washington. She first performed with the nationwide staff in VNL 2022 and has had a powerful professional profession. Her efficiency as a reserve towards Türkiye this previous Sunday acquired her plenty of consideration. Frantti is returning to VakifBank subsequent season.
Khalia Lanier: 6-2, USC (2020), Pinkin de Corozal (2020-21), Volley Bergamo 1991 (2020-21 via 2022-23), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2023-24).
The massive, robust outdoors hitter made her nationwide staff debut in 2023 in VNL. This previous week, she performed reverse for one of many matches. Lanier is returning to Conegliano subsequent season.
Anna Corridor: 6-2, Auburn, Louisville (2021), Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor (2021-22), Honda Olivero San Bernardo Cuneo (2022-23, 2023-24).
Corridor exploded as a center for Louisville and has been on an upward trajectory ever since. She joined the nationwide staff for the VNL in 2022 and performed within the 2023 finals. Corridor goes to play for LOVB in Madison.
Uniform No., Identify, Place, Ht., Hometown, Faculty
2. Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Illinois)
3. Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Kentucky, Baylor)
4. Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Nebraska)
7. Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ailing., Wisconsin)
10. Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Nebraska)
11. Annie Drews (OPP, 6-4, Elkhart, Indiana, Purdue)
12. Jordan Thompson (Opp, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Cincinnati)
15. Haleigh Washington (MB, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State)
16. Dana Rettke (MB, 6-8, Riverside, Ailing., Wisconsin)
23. Kelsey Robinson Cook dinner (OH, 6-2, Bartlett, Ailing., Nebraska)
22. Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford)
24. Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Texas)
29. Khalia Lanier (OH, 6-2, Scottsdale, Arizona, USC)
Alternates
1. Micha Hancock (S, 5-11, Edmond, Okla., Penn State)
5. Ali Frantti (OH, 6-1, Spring Grove, Ailing., Penn State)
6. Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford)
14. Anna Stevenson Corridor (MB, 6-2, Laurens, S.C., Louisville)
29. Khalia Lanier (OH/Opp, 6-2, Scottsdale, Ariz., USC)
Head Coach: Karch Kiraly
Assistant Coach: Tama Miyashiro
Second Assistant Coaches: Marv Dunphy, Alfee Reft, Erin Advantage
Efficiency Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Bodily Therapist/Athletic Coach: Kara Kessans
Group Physician: Lori Boyajian-O’Neill, William Briner, James Suchy
Marketing consultant Coaches: Sue Enquist, Katy Stanfill
Group Supervisor: Coley Pawlikowski
Sports activities Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Power & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel
Basic Managers: Peter Vint and John Crawley
