US Women’s Volleyball at the Olympics: 2024 Paris Games Roster Unveiled
The US women's volleyball at the Olympics clinched their first gold medal in Tokyo, adding to their impressive tally of six medals in total. Their Olympic journey has been marked by historic performances and intense competition. The roster for the US Olympic women’s volleyball team heading to the Paris Games has been announced, featuring a mix of seasoned gold medalists and promising new talent. The team includes eight players from the squad that captured gold in Tokyo 2020, showcasing their depth of experience and skill.
Leading the team into her fourth Olympics is captain Jordan Larson, an outside hitter with an impressive Olympic medal collection: gold from Tokyo 2020, silver from London 2012, and bronze from Rio 2016. Kelsey Robinson Cook, another experienced outside hitter from the 2016 and 2020 teams, will make her third Olympic appearance.
Middle blockers Chiaka Ogbogu and Haleigh Washington, setter Jordyn Poulter, libero Justine Wong-Orantes, and opposites Annie Drews and Jordan Thompson are set to participate in their second Olympics.
Newcomers making their Olympic debut in Paris include setter Lauren Carlini, outside hitters Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner, and middle blocker Dana Rettke. The selection of the alternate player is still pending.
The U.S. women’s team, currently ranked No. 2 globally, has a strong Olympic history, having competed in the last ten Olympics and earned six medals: one gold, three silver, and two bronze.
Read Also: Women’s beach volleyball
2024 Olympic Indoor Volleyball Schedule
Indoor volleyball events will be hosted at South Paris Arena 1, with competitions starting on Saturday, July 27, and running through the duration of the Games. The women’s gold medal match is scheduled for Sunday, August 11, at 7:00 a.m. ET, promising an exciting climax to the tournament.
US Women’s Volleyball Secures First Olympic Gold
The journey to Olympic gold for the US women’s volleyball team began in 1980 when they first qualified for the Olympics, only to miss the Games due to a U.S.-led boycott. Since then, the team has pursued the elusive gold, building a strong foundation through a collegiate system prolific in developing volleyball talent.
Despite achieving close calls with silver medals at the Beijing 2008 and London 2012 Olympics, and a bronze in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, the U.S. women had never clinched gold. This changed dramatically in Tokyo when they defeated Brazil with a commanding 3-0 victory, with set scores of 25-21, 25-20, 25-14, marking a historic achievement.
A pivotal moment in the team’s trajectory can be traced back over a decade to significant coaching changes. After the 2008 Olympics, Hugh McCutcheon transitioned from leading the U.S. men’s team to gold, to coaching the women’s team. This shift opened a spot for Karch Kiraly, a renowned figure in both indoor and beach volleyball, who initially passed on the men’s coaching role, feeling unprepared.
Kiraly’s journey took an unexpected turn when he met McCutcheon on a flight. McCutcheon proposed that Kiraly join him as an assistant for the women’s team, to gain the experience needed to eventually lead. This decision set the stage for the development and success of the women’s team, culminating in their first Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.
US Volleyball’s Coaching Philosophy Inspired by John Wooden
Karch Kiraly, a graduate of UCLA, brings a deep appreciation for the teachings of John Wooden, the legendary basketball coach from his alma mater, to his coaching approach. Wooden’s philosophy that being part of a team means contributing to something greater than oneself deeply influences Kiraly’s methods.
His assistant coach, Marv Dunphy, also draws heavily on Wooden’s principles. Dunphy, who conducted extensive interviews with Wooden prior to his passing in 2010, shares Kiraly’s commitment to these ideals.
The team they have built together showcases these teachings through its flexibility, careful pacing, attention to small details, and the fundamental recognition of the athletes’ humanity beyond their mechanical performance. This approach not only shapes their coaching strategy but also enhances the overall team dynamics.
US Women’s Volleyball Team’s Journey to Olympic Gold
Karch Kiraly, coach of the US women’s volleyball team, rarely focuses solely on the team’s physical talent and athleticism. Instead, he often highlights the “trust, accountability, and democracy” that the players have fostered among themselves, which he proudly spoke about during the Olympics.
Foluke Akinradewo, a key middle blocker, noted that the team had made a deliberate effort to openly express their feelings about the pressures of their quest for gold. “We allow ourselves to say to each other, ‘I’m nervous,'” Akinradewo shared after the team’s quarterfinal victory over the Dominican Republic, emphasizing how acknowledging their nerves was a catalyst for action.
The path to the Olympic women’s volleyball final began well before the summer. In the spring, the U.S. team participated in the Volleyball Nations League in Italy, a major annual event featuring the world’s leading volleyball nations.
While some countries rested their top players, Kiraly saw this as an opportunity to refine his team, initially bringing 18 players before selecting the top 12 for Tokyo. The United States won the Nations League and maintained strong momentum thereafter.
Despite challenges, including losing points, seven sets, and one match—a 3-0 loss to Russia—the team persevered. Their resilience culminated on Sunday when they overcame past Olympic disappointments by defeating Brazil in a sweeping victory. Brazil had previously bested the U.S. in the 2008 and 2012 finals.
Andrea Drews and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley led the scoring with 15 and 14 points, respectively, securing the team’s first-ever Olympic gold medal.
FAQ’s: US women’s volleyball at the Olympics
Did the US win a gold medal in women’s volleyball?
Yes, the US women’s volleyball team won their first Olympic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Did US volleyball win a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics?
Yes, the US women’s volleyball team secured a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.
Why did the US women’s volleyball team miss the Olympics?
The U.S. women’s volleyball team missed the 1980 Olympics due to a boycott led by the United States.
Who won the first Olympic gold medal in volleyball?
The Soviet Union won the first Olympic gold medal in volleyball at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.