Maria Mallon and the University of Cincinnati women's volleyball team sat in the second row of seats at Fifth Third Arena Thursday morning. On the jumbotron, UC alumna Jordan Thompson played on the Olympic stage. On the floor below it, Thompson's former college court remained.
“It’s a different kind of experience. We’re currently standing in front of our home court right now where we played with her … and now we’re watching her on TV playing with the best people in the world against the best teams in the world," said Mallon, who played with Thompson for three years at UC.
UC held a watch party for the USA, Turkey volleyball match at 8:45 a.m. Thursday. The American's won in the fifth set after Turkey brought things down to the wire.
“My heart rate went up a little bit but it was fun, it was good to see her play and to see everybody come out and support," Thompson's husband, and former UC football player, Blake Yager said. “I don’t even know if I can put it into words being able to see her do what she does best and loving it and doing it so well. It means a lot for me to be able to see that.”
More: Tokyo Olympics: UC volleyball alumna Jordan Thompson, Team USA preview
The Thursday morning watch party was the first Olympic match the UC women's volleyball team watched together. The team headed straight to their seats after their morning lift to watch the match over breakfast.
Head coach Molly Alvey found Thompson's impact difficult to put into words.
"As a teammate and knowing Jordan as a person, it’s not a superstar, it’s your friend, it’s your sister," Alvey said. "We talk about being family so I’m sure it is surreal to say the least because we know her as our family.”
Middle blocker Adria Oliver played with Thompson for one year at UC. She laughed as she thought back to the times she shared with Thompson on the UC court.
Most memorable were Thompson's loud cheers and friendly nudges when her teammates got a block.
“We knew it was going to happen. Jordan has had that talent so being able to see it is definitely surreal," Oliver said.
Alvey said Thompson serves as a motivator for her team and has especially excited for them after their pandemic-riddled 2021 season.
“They get to learn, I even see some really tiny things that she’s gotten better at already," Alvey said. "I’m sure it gets them really excited for the season.”
When Thompson spoke with media before heading to Tokyo she continuously referred to UC and said she wanted to prove to people that UC should not be underestimated. In her Olympic debut, her message has been received and even adds a bit of pressure to her former team.
“I think it definitely gives us a lot of motivation to be better for not only ourselves but for her," Oliver said. "They always talk about the University of Cincinnati so it’s already pressure on our back to her. Having more people come and watch us play this year I feel like it will help us be a lot better, stronger, more resilient."
As the United States took the victory, everyone in Fifth Third Arena was on their feet. The UC women's volleyball team gazed up at the screen, cheering for their former teammate.
“You look at all these girls that play on the USA team. I grew up watching these girls play, these girls have been my idols, now Jordan is in that position where she is people's idols," Mallon said.
The next match for Team USA is against Russia on July 30 at 10:05 p.m. ET.
Source link
