2008 Paralympic Games

Day 3 - Sept. 9

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 9, 2008

BEIJING, China - Before a crowd of over 4,000 screaming Chinese fans, the U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball team struggled in the first set to keep its composure and could never rebound, losing in three straight sets (14-25, 21-25, 19-25). 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. scored the first point but that was the only time they would lead the entire set. China went on two early runs and at the first technical time-out; the score was already a lopsided 8-2. With several kills by Erickson, the U.S. tried to get back in the hunt, but was plagued by too many unforced errors and couldn't overcome the early deficit. Yuhong Sheng (CHN) was a force to be reckoned with, making powerful kills  Team USA could not respond to. By the end of the set, China won easily and the final score was posted 25-14.

"We had a hard time putting together our game plan and executing it," said Team Captain Maymon. "I think it was mostly nerves."

"We definitely started slow," added Head Coach Mike Hulett (Chicago, Ill.). "We tipped a lot of balls high but we did finally start playing better."

The second set seemed to start the same as the first, but just as China started to pull away with a score of 7-4, the U.S. made three blocks in a row to tie the game. Tying was the best the team could do however, and could not ever manage to take control or the lead. Once again, Sheng was in control and it became a battle of outside hitters.

"Sheng is a player you have to learn how to stop and we didn't do a very good job of that tonight," commented Hulett.

Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./Edmond, Okla.) substituted for Maymon in the third set and seemed to provide a spark for the U.S. team. The score went back and forth with even play from both countries. The teams traded the lead on numerous occasions and the score was tied 14 times during the course of the game. At 18-18, Millage scored a point for the U.S. to move the team into the lead once more. China called a time-out and then went on to score seven unanswered points, finishing the set and the match with a final score of 25-19.

"We made a lot of unforced errors in the last set. We should have definitely had that game," said Hulett.

Holloway led Team USA in scoring with 12 points, followed by Erickson with 10. Aldrich chipped in with four points as well.

Now with a 1-1 record, the U.S. will take on Latvia (0-2) tomorrow (Wednesday, September 10) at 13:30, which will conclude pool play competition. At the end of pool play, the first and second ranked teams from each Pool will ascend to the semi-finals, while the third and fourth ranked teams from each Pool will play classification matches for fifth through eighth places.

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        Nichole 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; China def. USA, 3-0 (25-14, 25-21, 25-19)

September 10, 2008; 13:30; USA vs. Latvia; China Agriculture University Gymnasium

September 11, 12, 13; various; classification and semi-final matches; China Agriculture University Gymnasium

September 14; 16:00; Bronze Medal Match, China Agriculture University

                        18:00; Gold Medal Match, China Agriculture 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).

Daily video highlights of the 2008 Paralympic Games are available at http://www.usparalympics.org/ and http://www.universalsports.com/.

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