Husker alumni apart of five-set volleyball battle in Olympic preliminary against China

The team faced off against China in its first of three preliminary matches with three former Huskers in the starting lineup.

Team USA’s Women’s Volleyball began its 2024 Paris Olympic journey on Monday. The team faced off against China in its first of three preliminary matches with three former Huskers in the starting lineup.

Jordan Larson, Kelsey Robinson-Cook and Justine Wong-Orantes returned to the Olympic stage to represent Team USA. The trio combined have made nine total Olympic appearances.

Team USA lost to China in five sets but will receive a point in the preliminary pool for going a full match. China took the first two sets, putting Team USA in comeback mode. It battled back, forcing a fifth set, before falling in the end.

Larson, in her fourth Olympics, played in almost four complete sets, finishing with four kills and two digs. Robinson-Cook, in her third Olympics, played in three complete sets and racked up three kills and six digs. Justine Wong-Orantes led Team USA as libero in her second Olympics. She played the entire match, finishing with 17 digs.

Team USA will continue the preliminary rounds on Wednesday when it faces off against Serbia. The first serve is set for 10:00 a.m. (CT). Team USA will then face France on Sunday morning.

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