USA Volleyball and coach Karch Kiraly introduced the 2024 girls’s Olympic workforce roster Wednesday and it contains a few of the mainstays from the workforce that gained gold in Tokyo in 2021.
It additionally has new Olympic faces.
Whereas a few of the slots on the 12-player, one-official alternate roster have been all however inevitable, the three greatest 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 Prepare 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 outdoors Khalia Lanier.
“Roster choices like this deliver each the bitter and the candy,” Kiraly mentioned in a information launch. “The bitter is that we can not journey all 25 of those particular girls 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 can be set to deliver their greatest and be their most bulletproof, in what may be the deepest Olympic event ever.”
USA Volleyball mentioned it should wait to call its one official alternate, who will journey to Paris and may be subbed in for an injured participant through the event.
“Our 5 alternates are a particular group with troublesome but vital duties,” Kiraly mentioned. “They need to deliver model of themselves day by day; do every thing they’ll to make the workforce higher; and keep prepared in case of damage or sickness. No person is extra able to exceeding in these duties than these 5 girls.”
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 instructed 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 can be designated because the official alternate and have a credential and be there with us in Paris. After which one other of these 5 can be an unofficial alternate and can journey with us to Paris to make it so we will have the most efficient coaching classes doable, with seven on both sides of the web 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 ultimate.
The Paris Olympics girls’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 workforce, 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 12 months coaching with Kiraly. She returned to the courtroom for the primary time in a 12 months and a half within the first match of Volleyball Nations League in opposition to 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, at all times considered a future Olympian, and has had a stellar professional profession. However she didn’t make the Tokyo workforce and the way arduous that hit her and the way she handled it’s nicely 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 planet. She was the anchor of the USA workforce 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 largest character on the workforce. 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 workforce. She was the primary five-time first-team All-American, who obtained 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 workforce that gained 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 robust professional profession and in Tokyo was on her method to making a robust case to being Olympics MVP earlier than getting injured within the fourth match.
“JT” is the one participant on the workforce 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 an extended and geographically numerous 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 in need of improbable, 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” stands out as the outdated girl of USA Volleyball, however contemplate that at 37 this previous Saturday in opposition to 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 completed in volleyball, together with being named MVP of the Tokyo Olympics. Larson has earned the fitting to name her personal pictures, which she did this previous 12 months by electing to not play professionally and easily prepare for this summer season.
Larson will play for LOVB in Omaha.
Kelsey Robinson Prepare 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 Prepare dinner, who has performed in China, Puerto Rico, Italy and Türkiye, is an outdoor hitter who has performed libero on the nationwide workforce. She is rock regular in all phases of the sport and is remarkably environment friendly on offense and an amazing defensive participant. Prepare dinner is 31 and the final word baller.
Prepare dinner will play for LOVB in Atlanta.
Kathryn Plummer: 6-6, Stanford (2019), Saugella Workforce Monza (2019-20), Denso Airybees (2020-21), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2021-22 via 2023-24).
Plummer is usually 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 workforce. She had an amazing season for Conegliano this 12 months, together with large matches when her workforce gained 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 workforce since enjoying within the Pan Am Cup in 2022 — when she was greatest spiker and greatest 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 Workforce 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 gained that match in 5 units in opposition to Italy and with Hancock setting your 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 suppose Hentz is the second greatest libero on the planet. There isn’t any one faster on a volleyball courtroom. 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 way in which since enjoying at Penn State, the place she gained the NCAA title with Hancock and Washington. She first performed with the nationwide workforce in VNL 2022 and has had a robust professional profession. Her efficiency as a reserve in opposition to Türkiye this previous Sunday obtained her quite a lot 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 workforce 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 workforce 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 Prepare 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
Workforce Physician: Lori Boyajian-O’Neill, William Briner, James Suchy
Advisor Coaches: Sue Enquist, Katy Stanfill
Workforce Supervisor: Coley Pawlikowski
Sports activities Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Power & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel
Normal Managers: Peter Vint and John Crawley
