U.S. Sitting Team Captain Improving After Accident

B.J. Hoeptner Evans May 10, 2011

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Photo: Courtesy of the WOVD/John Armuth

Kendra Lancaster (15) hits against China during the gold medal match at the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Edmond, Okla.

B.J. Hoeptner Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: (719) 228-6800
E-Mail: bj.evans@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 10, 2011) – U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Captain Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) is recovering from injuries she suffered in a head-on car accident in Morgan County, Ind., on Saturday.

Lancaster, 24, was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition, but her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening. As of Tuesday, she was in stable condition in the hospital’s intensive care unit. Lancaster is conscious and her family is with her at the hospital.

“The entire USA Volleyball family is sending its best wishes to Kendra,” USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal said. “We are all hoping and praying for a speedy and complete recovery. Kendra is an enormously important member of our women’s sitting team both on and off the court. She is a fighter and represents all that’s best about dedication, commitment and spirit within our Paralympic program.”

Lancaster began her career with the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team at age 16 in 2004 and is a two-time Paralympic medalist. She won bronze with the team in 2004 in Athens and silver in 2008 in Beijing.

Lancaster was also a member of the team that finished second at the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, where the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sitting Teams are also based. She was named team captain at the beginning of the 2011 season.

"Kendra is an energetic and loved leader for our team,” U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Head Coach Bill Hamiter said. “The team was shocked to hear about her accident and sends well wishes to her.

“All the players and staff have committed their support for her now and in the coming months as she recuperates. We will all be ready to see her healthy and playing again."

Cards can be sent to Lancaster’s parents’ (Kent and Karen Lancaster) home at 17877 Joliet Road, Sheridan, IN 46069.

Tags: 2008 Paralympic Volleyball Team, Bill Hamiter, Doug Beal, Kendra Lancaster, U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Team