COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 14, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s National Sitting Volleyball Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, wrapped up its three-match exhibition series with No. 4 Ukraine on Sunday morning with a 25-17, 25-8, 25-16 victory at the University of Central Oklahoma. Ukraine won a bonus fourth set 25-14.
As with the first three matches, Team USA mixed up its lineup throughout the course of Sunday’s match with all 16 players having started at least one set. Monique Burkland, for the third match in a row, scored a team-best 11 points while starting the first three sets. She converted eight of her 15 errorless attacks into points along with three blocks. Heather Erickson tallied 10 points with seven kills on 14 swings to go with two aces on six serves and a block in starting the first and third sets. Lora Webster, starting the second and fourth sets, put up a team-best three blocks to go with four kills on eight attacks.
Katie Holloway also hit at 50 percent with five kills on 10 swings and a blocks for six points. Jillian Williams, who started the first and fourth sets, reached six points with two kills, two blocks and two aces. Nichole Millage hit five kills in started sets two and four, while Nicky Nieves had three aces and two kills in starting sets one and three. Tia Edwards had four kills on eight errorless attacks and a block for five points in starting sets two and four. Kaleo Maclay served three aces as the setter in sets one and three.
Lexi Shifflett scored a kill and ace in starting and playing in just the second set. Emma Schieck had a kill and block for two points in starting set three. Annie Flood started the fourth set at setter.
Libero Bethany Zummo handled a team-leading 16 receptions in playing the first and third sets. Burkland and Sydney Satchell, the libero in the second and fourth sets, each had 11 receptions.
While Ukraine held a 10-9 advantage in blocks and the U.S. maintained a slim 14-12 margin in aces, the match outcome was determined on the American firepower at the net. Team USA dominated the offense with a 41-25 advantage in kills. The U.S. also converted 41 percent of its attacks into points as seven hitters were at or above 50 percent for the match. In contrast, the American defense limited Ukraine to a 26 kill percent.
The Americans are now 8-0 this season. They will return to action May 24-26 in Columbus, Ohio, as they host defending ParaVolley World Champions Russia in a five-match exhibition series.
U.S. Women’s Sitting Team versus Ukraine – Match 3
Points: Monique Burkland 11, Heather Erickson 10, Lora Webster 7, Katie Holloway 6, Jillian Williams 6, Nichole Millage 5, Nicky Nieves 5, Tia Edwards 5, Kaleo Maclay 3, Lexi Shifflett 2, Whitney Dosty 2, Emma Schieck 2.
Kills: Monique Burkland 8, Heather Erickson 7, Katie Holloway 5, Nichole Millage 5, Lora Webster 4, Tia Edwards 4, Whitney Dosty 2, Jillian Williams 2, Nicky Nieves 2, Lexi Shifflett 1, Emma Schieck 1.
Blocks: Lora Webster 3, Jillian Williams 2, Katie Holloway 1, Heather Erickson 1, Tia Edwards 1.
strong>Aces: Monique Burkland 3, Kaleo Maclay 3, Nicky Nieves 3, Heather Erickson 2, Jillian Williams 2, Lexi Shifflett 1.
# – Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
1 – Lora Webster (M, 5-11, Point Lookout, N.Y.)
2 – Bethany Zummo (L, 5-2, Dublin, Calif.)
3 – Lexi Shifflett (S, 5-4, Waseca, Minn.)
5 – Katie Holloway (OH, 6-3, Lake Stevens, Wash.)
6 – Heather Erickson (OH, 5-11, Fayetteville, N.C.)
7 – Monique Burkland (OH, 5-9, Ardmore, Okla.)
8 – Whitney Dosty (OH, 6-3, Tucson)
10 – Sydney Satchell (L, 5-1, Oklahoma City, Okla.)
11 – Jillian Williams (OPP, 5-10, Odem, Texas)
12 – Emma Schieck (OH, 5-8, Statesville, N.C.)
13 – Nichole Millage (OH, 5-7, Champaign, Ill.)
14 – Kaleo Maclay (S, 5-6, Honolulu, Hawaii)
15 – Annie Flood (S/OPP, 5-8, Salem, Ore.)
16 – Nicole Nieves (M, 5-10, Kissimmee, Fla.)
17 – Tia Edwards (OH, 5-7, Skitatook, Okla.)
18 – Courtney Baker (OH, 5-8, Crofton, Ky.)
Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coaches: Michelle Goodall, Jon Aharoni