Thompson posts impressive debut
TOKYO >> Jordan Thompson skied high above the net and sent an emphatic spike to end the match.
That provided the perfect punctuation to an impressive Olympic volleyball debut for the U.S. team’s star opposite hitter.
The 6-foot-4 Thompson posted a game-high 20 points, including 18 on the attack at the net as she set the tone up front for an American team seeking its first gold medal in the sport.
Coach Karch Kiraly called her “unstoppable” and the Argentines probably wouldn’t disagree following a match the U.S. won handily, 25-20, 25-19, 25-20.
“There were a little bit of nerves in the first set but we started to get in a groove in the second set,” Thompson said. “We played with a lot of energy but calm energy and I think it went pretty well.”
Thompson and another Olympic newcomer, setter Jordyn Poulter, had excellent chemistry in their debut matches. Poulter had a game-high 37 sets as she frequently got the ball to Thompson in the proper spots to lead to points for the U.S.
Getting that confidence in the opening match was crucial for the newcomers because the competition gets significantly tougher the next time the Americans take the court on Tuesday against defending champion China.
“I think it’s really nice because the storm will only get tougher once we get China next and lots of great teams in our pool,” Kiraly said. “I think it’s nice to get off on a solid foot. (They) were able to find a good connection on a variety of sets. They’ve been working hard on that. We’ll face a much better team against China so it will be helpful to have those connections going.”
Thompson comes from an athletic family. Her father, Tyrone Doleman, played professional basketball in Europe and also spent time with the Harlem Globetrotters. Her uncle, Chris Doleman, was one of the NFL’s fiercest pass rushers and made the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Thompson tried out basketball but opted instead for volleyball once she got to eighth grade because she didn’t like the contact.