From Poland to Lincoln, USA Volleyball’s Jordan Larson jumps right in with Huskers

Jordan Larson visits with the Nebraska media/Lincoln Arneal photo

At this point, jet lag isn’t a big deal for Jordan Larson.

After helping the USA qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics with a victory Sunday over Germany in Lodz, Poland, Larson didn’t sleep before catching flights from Warsaw to Munich to Chicago to Omaha on Monday.

On Tuesday, the “Governor” was in the practice gym as the third assistant coach for second-ranked Nebraska.

“I’ve done it so many times that I don’t feel it so much anymore,” Larson said to the press on Wednesday. “I’m up and moving, and sometimes, if I’m home too much, I end up sleeping. I feel pretty good.”

Larson was announced as an assistant in June but hasn’t been around the team too much this year. She practiced with them for 10 days after her professional season and before the Huskers’ Brazil trip. She was also in camp for a few days and stopped by the gym whenever she was in Lincoln.

Most of her time was spent communicating over Zoom, text messages or notes in Volleymetrics. She said building that bond before she stepped into the gym was beneficial.

“Some of the best coaches I’ve had in my career, it starts with a great relationship,” Larson said. “I’m in their back pocket, and I’m an asset for them in any capacity. It is really important for them to know that. They can call anytime and without judgment, and I’m here to help. I’m really grateful for that and some time spent in the gym already and it’s again made this transition really seamless.”

Her primary responsibility will be working with the outside hitters and opposites on attacking and passing. Jaylen Reyes will oversee the middle blockers and back row players, while Kelly Hunter guides the setters. Larson’s presence will allow NU coach John Cook to focus more on the big picture.

While the product of Hooper, Nebraska, who starred for the Huskers (2005-08) is still learning about how the group works together and her coaching style, Larson emulates Cook’s approach to the game.

“He’s always learning. He’s always evolving. He’s always trying to be better,” she said. “I think that mindset across all facets has really come true for me. I’m never settling. It’s never enough for me, and I’m always trying to learn and how I can be better. That mindset in itself helps, and I think that approach as a coach is really important.”

Larson said she’s impressed with what she’s seen from Nebraska’s outside hitters so far, including their physicality and seeing the game at a high level. She likes how many of them have junior national team experience so they’ve seen how other countries play.

One of the aspects she’s already helping with is passing. Larson was one of the best passers for the US national team and has built a career on her ability to keep serves and attacks in play. She said while she can provide lots of physical tips she can provide, the most important aspect is developing the right mental approach.

“I think it’s just quieting their mind, quieting their thoughts, and giving them one or two cues to really hone in on and focus on,” she said.

Nebraska, 11-0 and ranked No. 2 in the VolleyballMag.com Super 16 Media Poll, plays at Purdue on Friday and at Indiana on Saturday.

The USA had a challenging qualifying tournament with seven matches in nine days, and Larson said she was amazed her 36-year-old body held up. The Americans won their first five matches before falling to Poland with a chance to punch their ticket to Paris but responded the next day with a four-set win over Germany.

“To now have this sense of peace that we’ve put in the work, and now we just get to build and get ready for Paris next year, is really, really huge,” Larson said.

Larson plans to take a week or so off to recover before starting to work out. She said she jump into practice eventually to build back her jumping capacity. The captain of the USA team that won the Tokyo Olympics gold medal said she intends to sign with a team during the next few months and play professionally again next year as she gears up for Paris next summer.

“I just love the sport so much and it’s given me so much. I joked with one of my mentors, she talks about living on house money and I really feel like I am,” Larson said.

“I feel so blessed to be able to still play and then coach at the same time. I’m just living on house money every day and not taking it for granted because it could disappear in an instant.”

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