Nebraska volleyball great Jordan Larson is returning to Husker Athletics.
NU volleyball coach John Cook announced Tuesday that Larson would be joining the staff as an assistant coach alongside Jaylen Reyes and Kelly Hunter. A rule change was adopted in January that allows teams that utilize a volunteer coach to add a full-time coach position beginning this season.
“One of the greatest honors of being the Nebraska volleyball coach is when I have the opportunity to coach with a former player,” Cook said. “Jordan and I have talked for years about coaching at Nebraska. She will bring a wealth of experience that she can share with our players.”
Larson is considered one of the greatest American volleyball players in history. She was team captain, Best Outside Hitter and Most Valuable Player when the U.S. won its first Olympic women’s volleyball gold medal in Tokyo in 2021.
The U.S. is currently competing in the Volleyball Nations League, which Larson is on the 30-player roster for and is available for selection.
“I am very excited to be returning to Nebraska,” Larson said. “I can’t wait to learn and help the next generation of volleyball players. It has felt so good to be home even for a short time, and I can’t wait to join the team in the fall.
“I really appreciate John giving me this opportunity.”
The Hooper, Neb. native helped the Huskers to top-five NCAA Tournament finishes in each of her four seasons from 2005 to 2008. Larson was a three-time All-American, finishing her career with 1,600 kills, 1,410 digs and a school-record 186 aces.
Career Highlights
-Member of U.S. Women’s National Team since 2009…became team captain in 2017
-Named Best Outside Hitter and MVP at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games
-Named Women’s Sports Foundation’s 2021 Sportswoman of the Year, Team Sport
-Earned USAV Female Indoor Player of the Year honors in 2015 and 2016
-Has played professionally in Puerto Rico, Russia, Turkey, China and Italy
-Led Nebraska to NCAA Division I title in 2006…two-time AVCA First-Team All-American
-Inducted into Nebraska Athletic Hall of Fame in 2020
-Also represented the U.S. on the Girls Youth National Team
International Competitions
-2021 Tokyo Olympic Games – Gold; Best Outside Hitter; MVP
-2021 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round – Gold
-2019 FIVB World Cup – Silver
-2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round – Gold
-2018 FIVB World Championship
-2018 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Final Round – Gold
-2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup – Bronze; Best Spiker
-2016 Rio Olympic Games – Bronze
-2016 NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament – Gold; Best Spiker
-2015 FIVB World Cup – Bronze
-2015 FIVB World Grand Prix – Gold
-2014 FIVB World Championship – Gold
-2013 NORCECA Championship – Gold; Best Server
-2012 London Olympic Games – Silver
-2011 FIVB World Cup – Silver
-2011 FIVB World Grand Prix – Gold
-2010 FIVB World Championship
-2010 FIVB World Grand Prix – Gold
-2009 NORCECA Women’s Junior Continental Championship – Gold
-2009 Pan American Cup – Made U.S. Women’s National Team debut
-2003 FIVB GirlsU18 World Championship – U.S. Girls Youth National Team
Personal Highlights
-Played club ball at both Premier Volleyball Club and Nebraska Juniors
-Nicknamed “The Governor” for her popularity in Nebraska
-Grew up in Hooper, Neb., population 843
-In 2021, won the inaugural championship with Athletes Unlimited, a U.S.-based women’s professional volleyball league