'The Governor' Larson retires leaving an unmatched legacy in volleyball

The conclusion of the regular season of the second edition of the American League One Volleyball (LOVB) marked the end of an era in women's volleyball.

Captaining Nebraska in a five-set home loss to Austin last Saturday, the legendary Jordan Larson got to end one of the most successful and inspirational careers in the sport in the same place where it started some decades ago.

A Nebraska native, the 39-year-old Larson returned home for the final act of one of the most storied careers the sport has ever seen, and one that led the United States women's national team to its most successful period at the international level.

With the legendary outside hitter occupying a key spot in the team between 2009 and 2024, the Americans won medals in the last four Olympics (gold in 2020, silver in 2012 and 2024 and bronze in 2016), their first World Championship title in 2014 and three consecutive Volleyball Nations League trophies in 2018, 2019 and 2021.

Her club career was just as productive, with titles at the FIVB Women's Club World Championship, the CEV Champions League and the Russian League, as well as medals in domestic tournaments in Italy, Türkiye, the United States and China.

"Looking back, beyond the wins, the losses, and the medals, what I am most proud of are the relationships and experiences I have gained along the way,” Larson reflected. “I have learned so much from so many people, from coaches and teammates to the fans who supported me throughout the journey. I was just a girl from a small town who was given the chance to live out her dream, and I am deeply grateful for how this game has shaped me both on and off the court.”

Most of those victories had Larson's stamp in many different ways. Besides being one of the most complete and well-rounded players the sport has ever seen, 'The Governor' also stood out as one of the most well-liked and influential leaders the game had on and off the court.

“The game has also taught me the value of communication and what it really means to be a good teammate, not just in volleyball, but in life,” she added. “Whether it’s a corporate job, a church community, a book club, or anything in between, being a good teammate is invaluable.”

Beyond words, her leadership style was built on actions. One of the hardest workers in each team she played for, the American superstar also made a strong impression on teammates and opponents because of how humble and disciplined she was.

“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how many medals I have, how many wins I’ve had, or what my resume says,” Larson said. “If I become complacent, I’m not showing up with a mindset that’s ready to learn, grow, and keep getting better. The way I define success is by being good at the little things over a long period of time. It’s about showing up every day, even when no one is watching, and taking care of the details that might not seem important in the moment."

That mentality made her become one of only three women to earn four medals in volleyball at the Olympics, alongside Cuban legend Ana Fernández and the USSR's Inna Ryskal.

Such longevity was only possible due to her unwavering commitment to the sport, and, of course, to the many sacrifices she had to make throughout her career.

From staying long periods away from home and missing special occasions to spending countless hours in the gym and dealing with pain, each of Larson's actions made it possible for her to have such a special and unique career.

“I don’t think you accomplish anything meaningful without sacrifice, and at every stage of my life that sacrifice has looked a little different,” she said. “As a kid, it might have meant missing a party I wanted to go to. As a young adult, it showed up in my relationships, or in not being able to be home for holidays because I was always traveling. At the end of the day, you have to ask yourself if the sacrifice is worth it, and in my case, it was and still is."

Such resilience not only strengthened her body and improved her volleyball skills but also shaped her mentally. With the game continuously evolving and the margins between teams and players getting thinner, Larson quickly realized that the force from within could drive her to overcome barriers many would consider unfeasible.

“I think one of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that you’re capable of more than what your body, or even the voices around you, might be telling you in the moment,” the American remarked. “There are days when you want to quit, when you don’t want to train, or when you don’t feel like pushing yourself, and that’s where the mental side really matters.”

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