Nanjing, China, July 5, 2019 – Jordan Thompson had a breakthrough performance for the United States in their pool play match against Brazil in the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Nations League Finals on Friday.
Thompson broke the 30-point barrier with three hard swings down the final stretch of the fourth set to finish with 33 points, earning praise from the other Jordan – captain Jordan Larson.
“I would say that’s pretty average, she can do better,” Larson jested. “But seriously, she’s really good and I’m really proud of her. The fact that she’s still in college is pretty impressive. She has a bright future.
“I’ve never been with any other Jordan in the team and now we are two, and in practice we are like – Jordan, Jordan – which Jordan? Well, she’s great and awesome. She’s a great person and so fun to compete with, and with lots of energy.”
Thompson was not even aware of her own scoring feat of making 30 attacks, two blocks and an ace. She did, however, commend her teammates’ support.
“Honestly I had no idea that it was that many,” Thompson said. “I just took every swing one at a time and tried to find court for my team.
“Lauren (Carlini) set us up very well and our middles worked really hard to get all of us open by holding off the Brazilian middles. Altogether it was a great team effort.”
Thompson is still finishing her degree at the University of Cincinnati and her first international volleyball tournament is the VNL. With the high-scoring performance on Friday, she has made a great impression in the final round.
“This whole tournament has been a really great experience for me. It’s my first time playing international volleyball and to play in a tournament like this is such an honour to represent my country. I just feel really blessed.
“It’s really great for me to get this exposure. I still have one more year left in college and to be able to take the experience that I have and the new skills and tools that I’ve worked on here is not only going to help me, but also my team in Cincinnati.”
The experience playing alongside Larson, Kelsey Robinson, Tetori Dixon, Annie Drews and Michelle Bartsch-Hackley in the VNL Finals has been great for the 22-year-old Minnesota-native.
“The first few weeks that I was in the USA gym and seeing the whole team, I just felt starstruck because you grow up watching these women and they are just amazing. You aspire to be like them and to be able to play beside them and learn from them is just an experience unlike any other.
“These girls really supported the three college girls in this trip and in this tournament. Annie Drews has been a huge help for me in this whole process. When I’m freaking out, she just helps me get back to the ground. She’s good at just giving me feedback and she really knows what I need. We’ve developed a good relationship.”
Here are some interesting things about Thompson:
“I’m obsessed with horses. I’m married and it’s kind of a shocker to be young and married. My favourite ice cream flavour is mint chocolate and my favourite scent is lavender.”
Quick links - Volleyball:
FIVB.com - Volleyball Nations League
FIVB.com - Volleyball
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