Huskers in Paris: Nebraska Trio and USA Volleyball Survive Serbia in Five Sets

A 2-0 lead for Team USA was erased quickly, but the Americans prevailed 17-15 in the fifth set to earn their first win of the Paris Olympics.

Kaleb Henry | Aug 1, 2024

Jul 31, 2024; Paris, France; United States libero Justine Wong-Orantes (4) reacts after a play against Serbia in a pool A match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena 1. / Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

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USA Volleyball got a must-win Wednesday.

With only one of the former Huskers getting the start this time, the Americans rushed out to a 2-0 lead. Serbia, though, took sets three and four to force a decisive fifth set. Team USA ultimately survived 17-15, to take the match 3-2 and earn its first win at the Paris Olympics.

Justine Wong-Orantes played all five sets at Libero. The Nebraska great notched a match-high 11 digs.

The United States celebrates after their win against Serbia in a pool A match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at S

Jul 31, 2024; Paris, France; The United States celebrates after their win against Serbia in a pool A match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at South Paris Arena 1. / Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports

Kelsey Robinson Cook got time in sets two through five, finishing without any kills or blocks but tallying five digs. Jordan Larson played just a few points in set four.

Team USA is currently second in Pool A, though that could change quickly as France and China play Thursday, where a Chinese victory would push the Americans to third. The U.S. closes out pool play Sunday against France.

Watch a replay of the USA-Serbia match on Peacock.

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Published Aug 1, 2024

KALEB HENRY

Kaleb Henry is an award-winning sports reporter, covering collegiate athletics since 2014 via radio, podcasting, and digital journalism. His experience with Big Ten Conference teams goes back more than a decade, including time covering programs such as the Nebraska Cornhuskers, Oregon Ducks, and USC Trojans. He has contributed to Sports Illustrated since 2021. Kaleb has won multiple awards for his sports coverage from the Nebraska Broadcasters Association and Midwest Broadcast Journalists Association. Prior to working in sports journalism, Kaleb was a Division I athlete on the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Track and Field team where he discussed NCAA legislation as SIUE's representative to the Ohio Valley Conference Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.