USA Volleyball names 12-player Paris Olympics roster but not lone alternate
USA Volleyball and coach Karch Kiraly announced the 2024 women’s Olympic team roster Wednesday and it includes some of the mainstays from the team that won gold in Tokyo in 2021. It also has new Olympic faces. While some of the slots on the 12-player, one-official alternate roster were all but inevitable, the three biggest […]
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USA Volleyball and coach Karch Kiraly announced the 2024 women’s Olympic team roster Wednesday and it includes some of the mainstays from the team that won gold in Tokyo in 2021.
It also has new Olympic faces.
While some of the slots on the 12-player, one-official alternate roster were all but inevitable, the three biggest questions all along were who would be the four outside hitters, who would be the two setters, and who would be the alternate.
The four outsides are Olympic veterans Jordan Larson — now a four-time Olympian — and Kelsey Robinson Cook and first-timers Kathryn Plummer and Avery Skinner.
The setters are returning Olympian Jordyn Poulter and first-timer Lauren Carlini.
And the program listed five alternates, setter Micha Hancock, outside Ali Frantti, libero Morgan Hentz, middle Anna Hall and outside Khalia Lanier.
“Roster selections like this bring both the bitter and the sweet,” Kiraly said in a news release. “The bitter is that we cannot travel all 25 of these special women to Paris. But we will carry them in our hearts and thoughts, and they will continue to make us better until the last ball drops.
“The sweet is that our Olympic roster is now clear, and we are ecstatic for this group, and for our program. This group of athletes will be set to bring their best and be their most bulletproof, in what might be the deepest Olympic tournament ever.”
USA Volleyball said it will wait to name its one official alternate, who will travel to Paris and can be subbed in for an injured player during the tournament.
“Our five alternates are a special group with difficult yet critical tasks,” Kiraly said. “They must bring a good version of themselves every day; do everything they can to make the team better; and stay ready in case of injury or illness. Nobody is more capable of exceeding in those tasks than these five women.”
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 look at every player follows.
This is the first time the Olympics is allowing an official alternate, a plus-one so to speak.
Kiraly told us this in May before the first round of Volleyball Nations League:
“We expect to have an ‘alternate’ at each position because of injury or illness. But one of those five will be designated as the official alternate and have a credential and be there with us in Paris. And then another of those five will be an unofficial alternate and will travel with us to Paris to make it so we can have the most productive training sessions possible, with seven on each side of the net and a full contingent of personnel.”
The USA finished 7-1 in Tokyo to win the program’s first gold medal, sweeping Brazil in the final.
The Paris Olympics women’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 team, missing one match with a badly sprained right ankle. But she recovered in time to play in the semifinals and then lead the USA to gold.
However, in the December 2022, while playing for Novara in Italy, Poulter blew out her left knee. She tore her ACL, MCL, PCL and meniscus. Poulter first rehabbed and then returned to the USA gym in Anaheim and spent much of the past year training with Kiraly. She returned to the court for the first time in a year and a half in the first match of Volleyball Nations League against Thailand on May 15.
Poulter is going 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 key player in Wisconsin’s resurgence, always thought of as a future Olympian, and has had a stellar pro career. But she did not make the Tokyo team and how hard that hit her and how she dealt with it is well documented.
Carlini is going 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 perhaps the best libero in the world. She was the anchor of the USA team in Tokyo
Wong-Orantes is going 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 might not be the tallest player, but Washington has the biggest personality on the team. Washington was the best middle at the Tokyo Olympics.
Washington is going 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 force as a blocker who can hit a vicious slide. She is the tallest player on the team. She was the first five-time first-team All-American, who got an extra season at Wisconsin that paid off with an NCAA title.
Rettke is signed to play with Eczacıbaşı Dynavit in Istanbul, Türkiye, next 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 but high-jumping middle who has had a tremendous pro career. She was a backup on the Tokyo team that won gold to Washington and Foluke Akinradewo Gunderson.
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 more than the next hitter. She’s a strong pro career and in Tokyo was on her way to making a strong case to being Olympics MVP before getting injured in the fourth match.
“JT” is the only player on the team who did not play at a Power 5 school. She will 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 long and geographically diverse pro career, spending two of the past three seasons dominating in Japan. The high-flying, hard-hitting lefty came in for Thompson in the Tokyo Olympics and was nothing short of fantastic, especially in the knockout rounds. She did not play in the first two rounds of VNL.
Drews will play for LOVB in Madison.
Outside hitters
Jordan Larson: 6-2, Nebraska (2008), Vaqueras de Bayamón (2008-09), Dinamo Kazan (2009-10 through 2013-14), Eczacıbaşı VitrA (2014-15 through 2018-19), Shanghai Bright Ubest (2019-20 through 2021-22), Athletes Unlimited (2020-21), Vero Volley Milano (2021-22, 2022-23).
“The Governor” may be the old lady of USA Volleyball, but consider that at 37 this past Saturday against Poland Larson had 20 kills with one error — that attempt was blocked — in 40 attacks to hit .475. She also had a block and 11 digs. There are few things she hasn’t accomplished in volleyball, including being named MVP of the Tokyo Olympics. Larson has earned the right to call her own shots, which she did this past year by electing to not play professionally and simply train for this summer.
Larson will play for LOVB in Omaha.
Kelsey Robinson Cook: 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 Body Queenseis (2021-22), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2022-23, 2023-24).
The seasoned veteran Cook, who has played in China, Puerto Rico, Italy and Türkiye, is an outside hitter who has played libero on the national team. She is rock steady in all phases of the game who is remarkably efficient on offense and a tremendous defensive player. Cook is 31 and the ultimate baller.
Cook will play for LOVB in Atlanta.
Kathryn Plummer: 6-6, Stanford (2019), Saugella Team Monza (2019-20), Denso Airybees (2020-21), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2021-22 through 2023-24).
Plummer can be a high-risk player (passing, hitting errors) but can deliver on offense like no one else on the roster. She is a monster hitter and after Rettke the tallest player on the team. She had a tremendous season for Conegliano this year, including big matches when her team won the Italian League and European Champions League title.
Plummer is signed to play in Türkiye next 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 just keeps getting better and better. She’s only been on a national team since playing in the Pan Am Cup in 2022 — when she was best spiker and best scorer — and is coming off a standout season for Chieri in Italy. She played in both rounds of VNL and continued to thrive.
Skinner is signed to go back to Chieri next 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 Team 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 a tremendous pro career, stepped in and took over for the USA when Poulter was injured in Tokyo. The Americans won that match in five sets against in Italy and with Hancock setting the entire match, beat the Dominican Republic. Hancock is going to pay with LOVB in Houston.
Morgan Hentz: 5-9, Stanford (2019), Dresdner SC 1898 (2020-21), Athletes Unlimited (2021-22) through 2023-24), Atlanta Vibe (2023-24).
There are plenty of people who think Hentz is the second best libero in the world. There is no one quicker on a volleyball court. She gets to balls and makes plays that others wouldn’t even touch. Hentz choses to forgo international pro volleyball for Athletes Unlimited and that has prolonged her career.
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 simply gotten better every step of the way since playing at Penn State, where she won the NCAA title with Hancock and Washington. She first played with the national team in VNL 2022 and has had a strong pro career. Her performance as a reserve against Türkiye this past Sunday got her a lot of attention. Frantti is returning to VakifBank next season.
Khalia Lanier: 6-2, USC (2020), Pinkin de Corozal (2020-21), Volley Bergamo 1991 (2020-21 through 2022-23), Prosecco Doc Imoco Volley Conegliano (2023-24).
The big, strong outside hitter made her national team debut in 2023 in VNL. This past week, she played opposite for one of the matches. Lanier is returning to Conegliano next season.
Anna Hall: 6-2, Auburn, Louisville (2021), Aydın Büyükşehir Belediyespor (2021-22), Honda Olivero San Bernardo Cuneo (2022-23, 2023-24).
Hall exploded as a middle for Louisville and has been on an upward trajectory ever since. She joined the national team for the VNL in 2022 and played in the 2023 finals. Hall is going to play for LOVB in Madison.
Uniform No., Name, Position, Ht., Hometown, School
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, Ill., 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, Ill., Wisconsin)
23. Kelsey Robinson Cook (OH, 6-2, Bartlett, Ill., 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, Ill., Penn State)
6. Morgan Hentz (L, 5-9, Lakeside Park, Ky., Stanford)
14. Anna Stevenson Hall (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 Virtue
Performance Analyst: Rianne Verhoek
Physical Therapist/Athletic Trainer: Kara Kessans
Team Doctor: Lori Boyajian-O’Neill, William Briner, James Suchy
Consultant Coaches: Sue Enquist, Katy Stanfill
Team Manager: Coley Pawlikowski
Sports Dietitian: Shawn Hueglin
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Brandon Siakel
General Managers: Peter Vint and John Crawley
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