Fil-Am return specialist helped U.S. win its first-ever indoor volleyball gold

Justine Wong Orantes celebrating with teammates at the Olympics. REUTERS

Justine Wong Orantes, a professional volleyball player widely regarded as one of the world’s best female return specialists, helped Team USA to win its first gold medal in Olympic indoor volleyball.

The U.S. resoundingly defeated Brazil, sweeping all three sets to win its first-ever Olympic gold medal. The Americans controlled the match the entire night, winning the final set 25–14

Orantes is of Filipino, Chinese and Mexican descent and was born in Cypress. California. Both of her parents are from the Philippines. Her father, Robbie Orantes, is a volleyball coach with the Mizuno Long Beach volleyball club as well as Long Beach City College. Her mother is Winnie Wong.

Orantes became a gold medalist at both the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the Volleyball Nations League in Rimini.