Team USA’s hope for volleyball glory rests largely on Jordan Larson‘s future performances. The now 31-year-old Larson, a world champion in 2014, is responsible for numerous USA victories internationally, including three FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix (2010, 2011, and 2015), and Olympic silver in 2012 in London and bronze in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro. All these accolades led her to be named USA Volleyball Indoor Female Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016.
Equally successful in club play, Larson boasts an impressive collection of titles that includes three consecutive golds at the FIVB Volleyball Women’s Club World Championships with Dinamo Kazan (2014) and Eczacibasi Istanbul (2015, 2016), something no other player has achieved, in addition to two CEV Champions League title in her career – one with Dinamo Kazan and one Eczacibasi.
Being one of the most important volleyball players of her current generation, she was chosen by FIVB to comment on Team USA’s hopes for the future. Below, you will find an excerpt with highlights of her interview. For the full release, click here to be redirected to FIVB’s official website.
How important is the new Voleyball Nations League to you and your team this year?
We do not have a regular top league in the USA. This means that the players are scattered all over the world. When we meet up with the US team, we need a lot of tough matches together, in order to grow as a team. Traveling together helps too, and this is another reason why the new FIVB Volleyball Nations League is perfect for us.
What are your goals for the Volleyball Nations League? Which teams will be your toughest opponents?
We always have the same goal. We want to be the number one in every competition. We take on Italy at home on the opening weekend – they have been getting stronger and stronger recently. It is always fun to play against China, and it goes without saying that Brazil are always one of the favourites.
What are your goals for the Volleyball Nations League? Which teams will be your toughest opponents?
We always have the same goal. We want to be the number one in every competition. We take on Italy at home on the opening weekend – they have been getting stronger and stronger recently. It is always fun to play against China, and it goes without saying that Brazil are always one of the favourites.
What are your goals for the FIVB Volleyball Women’s World Championship?
We obviously want to successfully defend our title. To do so, we will have to fight as a team and improve every day.
What could make volleyball even more interesting for players and fans in the future?
The more the fans are involved in a match, and the greater the drama, the better it is. For example, the challenge system was a good idea and has made the matches more exciting and fairer for all involved.
What dreams and goals do you still have as a volleyball player?
I will certainly be trying to make it to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo. I already have silver and bronze, so let’s see if I can add the gold medal to my collection.
Also on VolleyMob
Team USA Matt Anderson was also interviewed recently by the FIVB.
Leave a Reply