U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Almost Tastes Gold

Candice Kasischke
Intern, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: candice.kasischke@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 6, 2011) - The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team will compete in three matches against the Shanghai club team from June 9-11 at the Shanghai Disabled Persons’ Sport Training Center in China.

In March, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team went undefeated in a four-match series against the Shanghai club team in Denver, Colo. Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.), a veteran U.S. Team member, believes that her team is even better prepared for their upcoming matches than it was earlier this year.

“Our team has been focusing our attention on individual positions and getting some experience for the players who we have recently joined the program,” Holloway said. “Also, we have been competing quite a bit in practices, which will translate to competition play well. In Denver, we gave up a few points in the beginning before getting into the flow of the match. This time we should come out ready to play our game from the start.”

The idea of playing internationally and facing the Shanghai club team again is intriguing for Holloway.

“I am looking forward to competing internationally again, especially against China,” Holloway said. “The closer we get to them, the more I can taste the gold.”

Head coach of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.), senses that the team is anxious to venture into China’s territory for their second match-up in 2011. With a silver-medal finish at the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships, the U.S. Team qualified for 2012 Paralympics in London. Hamiter thinks that the team can shift focus and is able to experiment with trying new line-ups and techniques.

“The ladies are looking forward to the high level of competition and I believe these are important matches in the run for gold in London,” Hamiter said. “Serve and serve receive are the areas we have been working hardest in. We also are adding some new twists to our offense. Because we have already qualified, it gives us a chance to test some ideas and use some things that we think will work against opponents.”

In preparation for the 2012 Paralympics, the U.S. Team will be doing some scouting while in China. The Shanghai club team includes some members from China’s Women’s Sitting Team, which is one of the U.S. Team’s toughest rivals, considering its silver-medal finish versus China in the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

“As we prepare to go play China, we want to see how familiar we can get with those players and systems,” Hamiter said. “We want to absorb anything that can help us when we have to face them in London. It is tough to get matches with them because of their schedules; they do a lot of regionally based competitions and don’t travel much. We are happy and pleased that we were able to and we are looking forward to it.”

Leading up to this tournament, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team has already had to overcome some adversity. In May, the U.S. Team Captain Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) was seriously injured in a car-wreck. She is doing well, but will not be able to travel to China.

Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.), a team member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, has played with Lancaster on the U.S. team since 2006 and is impacted by Lancaster’s absence.

“Kendra's accident affected all of us greatly,” Miller said. “Most of us have been playing together for years. She was in high school when she started and is now working on her college graduate degree and I’ve been there through it all. This team is a family and we take both the good and tough that comes with it.”

In response to Lancaster’s injury, Hamiter named last year’s captain Brenda Maymon (Sellersburg, Ind.) to lead the team in competition in Shanghai. However, due to a last-minute backfire with a delayed passport, Maymon is unable to travel with the team.

“The decision has not been made as to who will be captain in China,” Hamiter said. “We have a limited roster going and I am okay with it. It will bring a mixture with the young and old and now the young ones will have to perform at a high level very quickly.”

Despite the setbacks, Hamiter still feels that the team is well on its way in accomplishing its main goals.

“Our main goal and emphasis this year has been on expanding the abilities of more experienced players and raising the abilities of our new players and getting them to a level that they can all compete at for roster spots in London next year,” Hamiter said. “Everyone is driving themselves very hard to get better and gain the upper edge. It keeps them in a good mindset of performance.”

Hamiter has selected an eight-player roster for Shanghai including Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.), Monique Burkland (Plainview, Okla.), Angela DeHaan (Yuba City, California), Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.), Holloway, Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill.) and Miller.

To follow the team’s travel and play, a daily blog from Holloway will be available at www.usavolleyball.org

U.S. Women's Sitting Team Roster for Shanghai
Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.)
Monique Burkland (Plainview, Okla.)
Angela DeHaan (Yuba City, California)
Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.)
Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.)
Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.)
Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.)
Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill.)

Staff
Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) – Head Coach
Cara Lang (Sartell, Minn.) – Asst. Coach & Stats
Jarrett Austin – Athletic Trainer
Elliot Blake – Coordinator Sitting Volleyball Teams

Tags: Allison Aldrich, Angela Dehaan, Bill Hamiter, Kari Miller, Katie Holloway, Monique Burkland, Sitting Volleyball, U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Team