1. Overview
Kelsey Marie Robinson Cook (born June 25, 1992) is a highly accomplished American volleyball player, primarily an outside hitter and occasionally playing as a libero. Standing at 74 in (188 cm) tall and weighing 165 lb (75 kg), with a spike reach of 120 in (306 cm) and a block reach of 118 in (300 cm), she possesses significant physical capabilities for the sport. She has been a prominent member of the United States women's national volleyball team since 2014, making significant contributions to their global success. A three-time Olympian, Robinson Cook has notably secured a gold medal at the 2020 Summer Olympics, a silver medal at the 2024 Summer Olympics, and a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics. Her career also features a gold medal from the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, underscoring her consistent excellence at the sport's highest levels.
2. Early life and college career
Kelsey Robinson Cook's formative years laid the foundation for her distinguished volleyball career, progressing from her early education and high school achievements to a successful collegiate journey that earned her national recognition.
2.1. Early life
Robinson Cook was raised in Bartlett, Illinois. She attended St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Illinois, where she developed her initial volleyball skills before graduating in 2010.
2.2. College career
Following high school, Robinson Cook initially turned down an offer from coach John Cook at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, believing she was not yet skilled enough to play at that level. She subsequently played for three years at the University of Tennessee, where her performance earned her the prestigious title of 2011 SEC Player of the Year. After her tenure at Tennessee, she transferred to the University of Nebraska, playing for two additional years. In 2013, she was recognized as the Big Ten Player of the Year, further solidifying her collegiate legacy. Her outstanding college career culminated in 2014 when she was named one of four finalists for the highly coveted Honda Sports Award in volleyball, acknowledging her exceptional talent and contributions to the sport at the collegiate level.
3. Professional career
Kelsey Robinson Cook's professional career spans a wide array of international club affiliations and a consistent, impactful role with the United States women's national volleyball team, marking her as a versatile and decorated athlete.
3.1. Club career
Kelsey Robinson Cook has played for numerous professional volleyball clubs across the globe throughout her career. Her journey began with Beijing in China, where she played from 2014 to 2015, returning for another stint from 2016 to 2017. In 2015, she also had a period with Leonas de Ponce in Puerto Rico.
She then moved to Italy, joining Imoco Volley Conegliano for the 2015-2016 season and again in 2017. During her time with Imoco Volley Conegliano in the 2016-17 season, she was part of the team that secured the CEV Champions League silver medal, though they lost the final match to the Turkish club VakıfBank Istanbul.
Her career continued in Turkey with VakıfBank Istanbul from 2017 to 2019, followed by a move to Fenerbahçe from 2019 to 2020, and a brief return in 2021. In between her Turkish club engagements, she played for Guangdong Evergrande in China during the 2020-2021 season.
In 2021, Robinson Cook made a move to Japan, signing with Toyota Auto Body Queenseis for the 2021-2022 season, where she played for one season before returning to Italy. From 2022 to 2024, she had another significant period with Imoco Volley Conegliano, further adding to her accomplishments with the Italian powerhouse. Most recently, she signed with LOVB Atlanta, a new professional league set to launch in 2025, where she is announced as a founding member alongside Fabiana Claudino.
3.2. National team career
Robinson Cook has been a pivotal member of the United States women's national volleyball team since 2014, making her debut at the Montreux Volley Masters. Her tenure has been marked by a series of significant achievements in major international competitions.
In 2014, she contributed to the U.S. national team's historic gold medal victory at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship, where they defeated China 3-1 in the final match. The following year, in 2015, she earned a gold medal at the 2015 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix and a bronze medal at the 2015 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup. She also secured a gold medal at the 2015 Women's NORCECA Volleyball Championship.
The 2016 season saw her team win gold at the Women's NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament and a silver medal at the 2016 FIVB Volleyball World Grand Prix. Most notably, she was part of the U.S. team that earned a bronze medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. In 2017, she secured another bronze medal at the 2017 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Grand Champions Cup.
Robinson Cook continued her success in the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League, winning consecutive gold medals in 2018 and 2019. In 2019, the U.S. team also qualified for the Olympics through the 2019 FIVB Women's Volleyball Intercontinental Olympic Qualification Tournament (IOQT) and took home a silver medal at the 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Cup, alongside a silver medal at the 2019 Women's NORCECA Volleyball Championship.
In May 2021, she was named to the 18-player roster for the FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League tournament held in Rimini, Italy, which served as the primary international competition leading up to the 2020 Summer Olympics. On June 7, 2021, U.S. National Team head coach Karch Kiraly officially announced Robinson Cook as part of the 12-player Olympic roster for the Tokyo Games. At the 2020 Summer Olympics, the U.S. team achieved a historic milestone, winning the gold medal for the first time. Robinson Cook continued her Olympic journey at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, where she was part of the U.S. national team that secured a silver medal.
4. Awards and achievements
Kelsey Robinson Cook has garnered numerous individual and team awards throughout her distinguished professional and international volleyball career.
4.1. Individual awards
- 2011 SEC Player of the Year
- 2013 Big Ten Player of the Year
- 2015 Italian League "Most Valuable Player"
- 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix "Best Outside Hitter"
- 2016-17 CEV Champions League "Best Outside Spiker"
- 2019 FIVB World Cup "Best Outside Hitter"
- 2022 FIVB Club World Championship "Best Outside Hitter"
4.2. Club achievements
- 2015-16 Italian League - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2016-17 Italian Cup - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2016-17 CEV Women's Champions League - Runner-Up, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2017 Turkish Super Cup - Champion, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2017-18 Turkish Cup - Champion, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2017-18 Turkish League - Champion, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2017-18 CEV Women's Champions League - Champion, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2018 Turkish Super Cup - Runner-Up, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2018 FIVB Club World Championship - Champion, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2018-19 Turkish League - Champion, with VakıfBank S.K.
- 2020-21 Turkish League - Runner-Up, with Fenerbahçe
- 2022 Italian Super Cup - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2022 FIVB Club World Championship - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2022-23 Italian Cup - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2022-23 Italian League - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2023 Italian Super Cup - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2023-24 Italian Cup - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2023-24 Italian League - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
- 2023-24 CEV Women's Champions League - Champion, with Imoco Volley Conegliano
4.3. National team achievements
- 2014 FIVB World Championship - Gold Medal
- 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix - Gold Medal
- 2015 FIVB Women's World Cup - Bronze Medal
- 2015 Women's NORCECA Volleyball Continental Championship - Gold Medal
- 2016 Women's NORCECA Olympic Qualification Tournament - Gold Medal
- 2016 FIVB World Grand Prix - Silver Medal
- 2016 Summer Olympics - Bronze Medal
- 2017 FIVB World Grand Champions Cup - Bronze Medal
- 2018 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League - Gold Medal
- 2019 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League - Gold Medal
- 2019 FIVB Women's Volleyball Intercontinental Olympic Qualifications Tournament - Qualified
- 2019 FIVB Women's World Cup - Silver Medal
- 2019 Women's NORCECA Volleyball Continental Championship - Silver Medal
- 2021 FIVB Volleyball Women's Nations League - Gold Medal
- 2020 Summer Olympics - Gold Medal
- 2024 Summer Olympics - Silver Medal