Jordan Thompson makes Cincinnati Bearcats history with silver medal in Olympic volleyball

Former University of Cincinnati volleyball standout Jordan Thompson and Team USA claimed silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics on Sunday. In doing so, Thompson becomes the first of all Cincinnati Bearcats to win an Olympic medal at multiple Games. She is also the second University of Cincinnati athlete to medal in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, joining Annette Echikunwoke, who took silver in the hammer throw.

The U.S. women fell to Italy in three sets in the Olympic final (18-25, 20-25, 17-25). Thompson was Team USA’s top point scorer, finishing with eight points in three sets played. With the silver, the U.S. women have won seven Olympic medals, the most of any country. It’s also their fifth straight medal. Thompson was also part of the 2020 U.S. team that won gold in Tokyo.

More honors to come for Thompson

The 27-year-old Thompson was recently selected to the 2024 James P. Kelly UC Athletics Hall of Fame Class. She earned American Athletic Conference Freshman of the Year accolades in 2015 and followed that up as a three-time unanimous AAC Player of the Year in 2016, 2018 and 2019. She was the first volleyball player in AAC history to earn unanimous honors and receive the award three times. Thompson led the Bearcats to their best season in school history with a Sweet 16 appearance in 2019, collecting AVCA All-America First Team honors.

Thompson and the rest of the 2024 UC Hall of Famers will be inducted Friday, Sept. 20 at Fifth Third Arena, then honored the next day at the Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Houston Cougars Big 12 opener at Nippert Stadium.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati Bearcats volleyball great Jordan Thompson wins silver medal