Eight Tokyo champions to help USA defend Olympic title in Paris

Eight of the 12 players who helped the United States women’s national team take gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago will be back when the Americans try to defend their title at the Paris 2024 Games this summer.

The team’s 12-player Olympic roster was announced by head coach Karch Kiraly, who used the first two weeks of the Volleyball Nations League 2024 Preliminary Phase to test as many players as possible and make his final decision about the squad.

“Roster selections like this bring both the bitter and the sweet,” Kiraly said. “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.”

The eight returning Olympic champions are setter Jordyn Poulter, opposites Annie Drews and Jordan Thompson, outside hitters Jordan Larson and Kelsey Cook, middle blockers Chiaka Ogbogu and Haleigh Washington and libero Justine Wong-Orantes. Complete Kiraly’s selection setter Lauren Carlini, outside hitters Avery Skinner and Kathryn Plummer and middle blocker Dana Rettke.

Set to compete in her fourth Olympics after winning gold in Tokyo, silver in London 2012 and bronze in Rio 2016, Tokyo Olympics MVP Larson is easily the squad’s most experienced player. Having played in Rio and Tokyo, Cook also has multiple Olympic appearances under her belt.

Kiraly has also shortlisted five players – setter Micha Hancock, outside hitters Ali Frantti and Khalia Lanier, middle blocker Anna Hall and libero Morgan Hentz – as potential alternates and will pick one of them to be the 13^th player making the trip to Paris. This athlete can replace someone from the original list during the Games in case of injury or illness.

“We have so much for which to be grateful in our national team: so many quality human beings who are dedicated, mindful and hard-working women,” Kiraly added. “So many who have both people skills and volleyball skills at such a high level. Our core group of 25 Women’s National Teamers has done great work over the past months, preparing to help bring out the best in each person around her, with an eye toward the Paris Olympics.”

Before entirely focusing on the Paris Olympics, the Americans will complete their campaign on the VNL 2024 Preliminary Phase, playing next week, from June 11-16, in Fukuoka, Japan. Currently in eighth place in the standings with 13 points (four wins, four losses), they need to move at least one spot up to qualify for the VNL Finals, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from June 20-23.

USA women’s volleyball Olympic roster

Setters: Jordyn Poulter, Lauren Carlini
Opposite: Annie Drews, Jordan Thompson
Outside hitters: Avery Skinner, Jordan Larson, Kathryn Plummer, Kelsey Cook
Middle blockers: Chiaka Ogbogu, Dana Rettke, Haleigh Washington
Libero: Justine Wong-Orantes