Three Huskers Selected to U.S. Olympic Roster

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado – USA Volleyball has announced its 12-player U.S. Olympic Women’s Volleyball Team roster that will try to make history in the 2016 Olympic Games from Aug. 6-20. The list includes three former Huskers - Kayla Banwarth, Jordan Larson and Kelsey Robinson.

U.S. Women’s National Team Head Coach Karch Kiraly and his staff have selected a roster with four Olympic veterans and eight players who will be making their first appearances on the grandest sporting stage. Middles Foluke Akinradewo (Plantation, Florida, Media Downloads) and Christa Dietzen (Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, Media Downloads), outside hitter Jordan Larson (Hooper, Nebraska, Media Downloads) and setter Courtney Thompson (Kent, Washington, Media Downloads) return from Team USA’s 2012 Olympic Games silver-medal finish in London.

Newcomers to the Olympian family are outside hitters Kim Hill (Portland, Oregon, Media Downloads) and Kelsey Robinson (Bartlett, Illinois, Media Downloads), middle Rachael Adams (Cincinnati, Ohio, Media Downloads), opposites Karsta Lowe (Rancho Santa Fe, California, Media Downloads) and Kelly Murphy (Wilmington, Illinois, Media Downloads), setters Alisha Glass (Leland, Michigan, Media Downloads) and Carli Lloyd (Bonsall, California, Media Downloads), and libero Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa, Media Downloads).

With Robinson and Banwarth making the Olympic squad for the first time, the Huskers now have six former players all-time who will have represented the U.S. at the Olympics, including Larson, Nancy Metcalf (Meendering), Allison Weston and Lori Endicott.

The trio has been with the U.S. National Team together since 2014, while Banwarth's experience goes back to 2011 and Larson to 2009. They helped the U.S. win its first major gold medal at the FIVB World Championship in October 2014. 

"The Olympics is the greatest sporting event in the world," Nebraska head coach John Cook said. "It happens once every four years and it impacts how countries feel about themselves. For three Nebraska volleyball players to make the U.S. team - which is currently ranked number one in the world - it's a great reflection of the commitment that Nebraska has made and the support that we give to our student-athletes. All three players have had incredible journeys and stories on their paths to making the Olympic team. Kayla never made all-conference, Jordan is a small-town girl from a one-stoplight town, and Kelsey reinvented herself when she transferred to Nebraska. Husker Nation is very proud, and I have no words to describe what it means to be the coach at Nebraska and for three of our former players to represent the USA in the Olympics." 

Former Husker standout Sarah Pavan will also compete in the Olympics, representing Canada in beach volleyball. She and her teammate Heather Bansley will play in Pool E against pairings from Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands.

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Former Huskers on the U.S. Olympic Roster
Jordan Larson (Outside Hitter, Hooper, Nebraska): Jordan Larson, an outside hitter who earned silver at the 2012 Olympic Games, has developed into an international star from a hometown population of 830. She was named USA Volleyball’s Female Indoor Athlete of the Year in 2015 after a stellar performance at the 2015 FIVB World Cup. During the 2015 club season, she led her Turkish club Eczacibasi to gold in the 2015 FIVB Club World Championship and 2015 European Champions League while earning MVP in both events. Last International Club Team – Eczacibasi in Turkish League and European Champions League. Notes: teammates call her ‘The Governor’ … partner in a restaurant in Lincoln called Flatwater Bistro.

Karch Kiraly Quote on Jordan Larson: “Jordan has never played better volleyball, or been physically stronger than she is right now. Combined with her vast success and experience at the highest levels of volleyball, the total package she brings for USA will be big in Rio.”

Kelsey Robinson (Outside Hitter, Bartlett, Illinois): Kelsey Robinson, a first-time Olympian, was named Second Best Outside Spiker of the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix that Team USA won in Omaha. She helped the U.S. win its first-ever FIVB World Championship in 2014 during her rookie international season. Robinson was the starting outside hitter in all five matches of the 2015 NORCECA Continental Championship in which Team USA won to qualify for the NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament. Last International Club Team – Imoco Conegliano in Italian Serie A1 – named most valuable player of the Italian League playoffs after leading team to 2015-16 title. Notes: Robinson was selected AVCA All-America First-Team while playing for University of Nebraska in 2013, her only season with the Huskers after three seasons at the University of Tennessee.

Karch Kiraly Quote on Kelsey Robinson: “Kelsey is pumped to help this team in any and every way she can, and she gives USA a ton - competitive fire, ball control, speed at the net, galvanizer under duress, the list goes on.”

Kayla Banwarth (Dubuque, Iowa): Olympic newcomer Kayla Banwarth, who joined Team USA in January 2011, became the primary Team USA starting libero in 2013 when she was honored with USA Volleyball’s Female Indoor Most Improved Player Award. She was named the Best Receiver at the 2015 NORCECA Continental Championship as Team USA won gold. Banwarth earned back-to-back Pan American Cup gold medals in 2012 and 2013 as the starting libero. Last International Club Team: Has not played overseas the last two seasons. Notes: hobbies include Broadway musicals and was in show choir, a capella choir and musicals in high school … served as volunteer assistant coach for the Pepperdine men’s volleyball team this past spring.

Karch Kiraly Quote on Kayla Banwarth: “As our libero, Kayla’s worked hard to improve and contribute to our performance in as many ways as possible. And she anchors our offense as one of the elite passers in international volleyball.”