2008 Paralympic Games

Day 1 - Sept. 7

PARALYMPIC GAMES – SITTING VOLLEYBALL: U.S. Women’s Team Wins Opener in Three Straight Sets

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 7, 2008

BEIJING, China – In its first round of pool play, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team swept Lithuania 25-15, 25-18, 25-9. The team was led by Team Captain Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.), along with other starters Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz./Edmond, Okla.), Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./Edmond, Okla.), Kendra Lancaster (Sheridan, Ind.), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.). Kari Miller (Washington, D.C./Edmond, Okla.) served as Libero.

In the first set the U.S. never trailed, but nerves were noticeably displayed by those experiencing the Paralympic Games for the first time. Those returning from the 2004 squad seemed to take control in order to settle the newcomers. At 15-12, Maymon scored a kill, which was followed by a technical time-out. Once back on the floor, the U.S. seemed to finally find its groove and only allowed 3 more points from its opponent. At 21-15 Lithuania took a time-out to regroup but with Holloway serving, and Lancaster providing a great set followed by a kill, Team USA never looked back and closed the set 25-15.

“It was very overwhelming at first – very surreal,” said 15-year old Heather Erickson, the youngest on the team about her first Paralympic Games. “Once I got past that, I was able to calm down and play.”

Veteran player Lancaster responded to Erickson’s comments by adding “We have talked about what to expect but it is overwhelming - especially the crowd we had at 9:30 in the morning. We were fabulous after a little bit of a rough start. Everyone played great.”

Set two began with the same six starters as the first. Lithuania was able to get the first point, however, the U.S. went on a short run to lead 4-1. After that, the two teams battled somewhat, but the U.S. managed to pull away and at 20-10 the team looked to put Lithuania away. Lithuania would not give up however, and went on several small runs trying to close the gap.

With the score at 24-18, Erickson scored a kill that finally ended the set. In the third and final set, all starters remained with the exception of Nicholle Millage (Champaign, Ill./Edmond, Okla.) substituting for Maymon. Team USA seemed enthusiastic and ready and found its groove after the first technical time-out. With a score of 8-5 and with Webster serving, the U.S. broke free and scored five unanswered points. Lithuania served once and Team USA got the ball right back, this time going on a 7-0 run, making the score 20-6.

Lithuania could not regain any type of momentum after that and the final score was 25-9. Holloway led the team in scoring with 16 points, followed by Lancaster and Erickson who each posted 11. Webster chipped in with seven points of her own as well. “We started out with too much adrenaline,” said an excited Holloway. “But I think we are ready for China now. We just need to stay cool, calm, and collected.”

The U.S. (1-0) will face no. 2 seed China (1-0) at 17:30 on Tuesday, September 9 at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium, after a day off on Monday, September 8. “We will get a chance to watch them (China) today,” said Head Coach Mike Hulett. “I am ready to see them now and then again in the gold medal match.”

On the final day of pool play competition, the U.S. will play Latvia at 13:30. Once pool play has concluded, the teams will be seeded according to records for the semi-final games. The complete roster and schedule is listed below.

U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Olympic Roster # Name (Hometown, Current Residence)
11 Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.)
6 Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.)
18 Alex Gouldie (St. Paul, Neb.)
5 Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./Edmond, Okla.)
7 SuGui Kriss (Ravena, N.Y.)
15 Kendra Lancaster (Sheridan, Ind.)
8 Hope Lewellen (Palos Park, Ill.)
3 Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.)
9 Gina McWilliams (Dallas, Tex.)
13 Nicholle Millage (Champaign, Ill./Edmond, Okla.)
10 Kari Miller (Washington, D.C./Edmond, Okla.)
1 Lora Webster (Cave Creek Ariz./Edmond, Okla.)

Head Coach: Mike Hulett (Chicago, Ill.)
Assistant Coach: Denise Van deWalle (Bowling Green, Ohio)
Team Leader: Roger Neppl (Evergreen, Colo.)

Women’s 2008 Paralympic Games Sitting Volleyball Schedule Date; Time; Teams; Venue

September 7, 2008; 9:30; USA def. Lithuania, 3-0 (25-15, 25-18, 25-9) September 9, 2008; 17:30; USA vs. China; China Agricultural University Gymnasium
September 10, 2008; 13:30; USA vs. Latvia; China Agricultural University Gymnasium
September 11, 12, 13; various; classification and semi-final matches; China Agricultural University Gymnasium
September 14; 16:00; Bronze Medal Match, China Agricultural University 18:00
Gold Medal Match, China Agricultural University

For more information or to arrange an athlete interview, please contact Katrina Shaklee at 13910754730 (if calling from the U.S., dial 011 86 plus the local number).