Former Volleyball Huskers Are Golden

Jordan Larson's spike punctuates USA's sweep of Brazil in title match.

Joe Hudson | Aug 8, 2021

Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Sports

Jordan Larson delivered the winning kill as she and two other former Huskers, Justine Wong-Orantes and Kelsey Robinson, won gold with Team USA at the Tokyo Olympics.

The U.S. swept Brazil in the title match and won gold for the first time ever. Larson, a three-time Olympian, was captain of the U.S. team and was was named the Olympic Most Valuable Player.

"I'm now in kind of this euphoria, a state of shock," Larson said afterward. She now has gold, silver (2012) and bronze (2016) medals to show for her Olympic efforts.

Outside hitter Larson was joined by libero Wong-Orantes on the Olympic all-tournament Dream Team. Team USA members were named to five of the seven slots.

Go here for video highlights, and scroll down for links to coverage.

The celebration begins after Jordan Larson, left, delivered the match-ending kill.

Justine Wong-Orantes hits the ball against Brazil in the women's volleyball gold medal match.

Jordan Larson (10) and Justine Wong-Orantes react after a point.

Brazil's Ana Carolina da Silva hits the ball.

Jordan Larson huddles with other USA players during the title match.

Jordan Larson (10) and Justine Wong-Orantes (4) celebrate a point with Michelle Bartsch-Hackley.

Kelsey Robinson warms up before the gold medal match.

Michelle Bartsch-Hackley, right, and Kelsey Robinson react after match point.

At left, Kelsey Robinson and Justine Wong-Orantes celebrate the victory.

Kelsey Robinson (23), Justine Wong-Orantes (4) and Jordan Larson (10) celebrate with the rest of the team.

USA players on the podium with their gold medals.

Coverage

Associated Press | U.S. women top Brazil to capture first Olympic volleyball gold
Nebraska Athletics | Husker Volleyball Trio Captures Historic Gold in Tokyo
USA Volleyball | Gold at Last! U.S. Women Beat Brazil
Omaha World-Herald | Big Red trio of Larson, Wong-Orantes, Robinson help USA volleyball net Olympic gold
Lincoln Journal Star | MVP Larson leads Husker trio, Team USA to women's volleyball gold medal

Published Aug 8, 2021

JOE HUDSON

Joe Hudson has operated a Husker-related website since 1995 and joined forces with David Max to form HuskerPedia (later renamed HuskerMax) in 1999. It began as a hobby during his 35 years as a newspaper editor and reporter, a career that included stints at the Lincoln Star, Omaha World-Herald, Philadelphia Inquirer and Denver Post. In Denver, Joe was chief of the copy desk during his final 16 years at the Post. He is proud to have been involved in Pulitzer Prize-winning projects in both Philadelphia and Denver. Joe has been a Nebraska football fan since the mid-1960s during his childhood in Omaha. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in journalism and economics at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 1976. He resides a few freeway exits north of Colorado Springs and enjoys bicycling and walking his dogs in his spare time. You can reach him at joeroyhud@outlook.com.