University of Kentucky volleyball alumna Avery Skinner is soaring to new heights, becoming the first Wildcat volleyball player ever selected for the Olympic Games. The announcement came Wednesday evening, with USA Volleyball naming Skinner to the 12-player roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.
Skinner, a Katy, Texas native, played a pivotal role in Kentucky’s historic run to the 2020 NCAA National Championship. Following her collegiate success, she continued to hone her skills and impress on the national stage, earning a coveted spot on the Olympic team.
The roster also features eight returning members from the Tokyo 2020 gold-medal-winning squad, aiming to repeat their success in Paris. One additional player will be selected as an alternate at a later date by head coach Karch Kiraly.
This selection marks a significant milestone for both Skinner and the Kentucky volleyball program. It signifies the caliber of talent cultivated at UK and paves the way for future Wildcats to dream of Olympic glory.
The United States Women’s Volleyball team enters the 2024 season ranked #2 in the world and boasts a rich Olympic history. They have competed in 12 Olympic Games, including the last 10 consecutively, with one gold medal (2020), three silver medals, and two bronze medals.
Fans will have to wait a bit longer for the official competition schedule and pool assignments, which will be revealed after the conclusion of the 2024 Volleyball Nations League on June 16th. The U.S. Women will play their final preliminary round of the Nations League next week in Fukuoka, Japan.
When the Olympic Games kick off, all eyes will be on Skinner and the U.S. Women’s Volleyball team as they battle for gold in Paris. Catch all the thrilling action live on the NBC Universal networks.
U.S. Women’s Roster for the Olympic Games Paris 2024
No. Name (Pos., Ht., Hometown, College)
2- Jordyn Poulter (S, 6-2, Aurora, Colo., Univ. of Illinois)
3- Avery Skinner (OH, 6-1, Katy, Texas, Univ. of Kentucky)
4- Justine Wong-Orantes (L, 5-6, Cypress, Calif., Univ. of Nebraska)
7- Lauren Carlini (S, 6-2, Aurora, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin)
10- Jordan Larson (OH, 6-2, Hooper, Neb., Univ. of Nebraska)
11- Annie Drews (Opp, 6-4, Elkhart, Ind., Purdue Univ.)
12- Jordan Thompson (Opp, 6-4, Edina, Minn., Univ. of Cincinnati)
15- Haleigh Washington (MB, 6-3, Colorado Springs, Colo., Penn State Univ)
16- Dana Rettke (MB, 6-8, Riverside, Ill., Univ. of Wisconsin)
22- Kathryn Plummer (OH, 6-6, Aliso Viejo, Calif., Stanford Univ)
23- Kelsey Robinson Cook (OH, 6-2, Bartlett, Ill., Univ. of Nebraska)
24- Chiaka Ogbogu (MB, 6-2, Coppell, Texas, Univ. of Texas)
