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Michigan native Alisha Glass named to U.S. Olympic volleyball team

Posted at 6:29 PM, Jul 12, 2016
and last updated 2016-07-12 18:29:08-04
(AP) -- Outside hitter Jordan Larson and setter Courtney Thompson have been named to the U.S. women's volleyball roster for the upcoming Rio Olympics by coach Karch Kiraly.
   
They are joined by middles Foluke Akinradewo and Christa Dietzen as returnees from the team that won the silver medal at the 2012 London Games.
   
Newcomers on the 12-player roster announced Tuesday include outside hitter Kim Hill and Kelsey Robinson, middle Rachael Adams, opposites Karsta Lowe and Kelly Murphy, setters Alisha Glass and Carli Lloyd and libero Kayla Banwarth.
   
The top-ranked U.S. team, which has won silver medals at the past two Olympics, opens the tournament on Aug. 6 against Puerto Rico. Brazil, ranked No. 3 in the world, is the two-time defending Olympic champion.
   
"Ultimately, we have assembled a group that we believe is capable of embracing the challenges a tournament like the Olympics will surely present," said Kiraly, a two-time gold medalist in volleyball and a gold medalist in beach volleyball.
   
Larson, one of three former players for Nebraska on the roster, posted a photo of the squad on Instagram.
   
"Extremely honored and humbled to be a part of this special group. Can't wait to take over Rio!" Larson wrote.
   
The U.S. team is coming off a 3-2 loss on Sunday to Brazil in the final match of the FIVB World Grand Prix in Thailand. It was the last major international tournament before the Rio Games.
   
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   2016 U.S. women's volleyball roster, with position, hometown and college team.
   Alisha Glass, setter, Leland, Michigan, Penn State.
   Kayla Banwarth, libero, Dubuque, Iowa, Nebraska.
   Courtney Thompson, setter, Kent, Washington, Washington.
   Rachael Adams, middle, Cincinnati, Ohio, Texas.
   Carli Lloyd, setter, Bonsall, California, California.
   Jordan Larson, outside hitter, Hooper, Nebraska, Nebraska.
   Kelly Murphy, opposite, Wilmington, Illinois, Florida.
   Christa Dietzen, middle, Hopewell Township, Pennsylvania, Penn State.
   Kim Hill, outside hitter, Portland, Oregon, Pepperdine.
   Foluke Akinradewo, middle, Plantation, Florida, Stanford.
   Kelsey Robinson, outside hitter, Bartlett, Illinois, Nebraska.
   Karsta Lowe, opposite, Rancho Santa Fe, California, UCLA.