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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 7, 2025) – USA Volleyball announces the 13 athletes who will compete for the U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team at the 2025 World ParaVolley World Cup, Oct. 12-18 in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Hosted by the Turnstone Center, the World Cup is being held in the United States for the first time. Six teams will compete in the women’s division, including the top three in the world rankings: the United States, Canada and Brazil. Italy, ranked No. 7, along with No. 9 Germany and the Netherlands, round out the field.
The U.S. opens play on Oct. 12 at 12:30 p.m. PT against Italy. All matches will be live streamed on the Turnstone YouTube channel.
This is the U.S. Women’s third international competition of 2025. The team won silver at the ParaVolley Pan American Cup in May and captured gold at the Dutch Tournament in July.
Head coach Bill Hamiter leads a seasoned roster that includes eight Paralympians.
“We’re excited to compete at home in front of our fans,” Hamiter said. “This is a strong group with a great mix of veteran leaders and rising talent. The World Cup is an important step as we build toward the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, and we’re eager to test ourselves against the best teams in the world.”
Three-time Paralympians on the roster are liberos Bethany Zummo (libero) and Kari Ortiz, and outside hitter Kendra Hall. Tia Edwards (middle/outside), Nicky Nieves (middle), Alexis Patterson (setter) and Emma Schieck (outside) are all two-time Paralympians. 2020 Paralympian Annie Flood (setter) also joins the team in Fort Wayne.
Outside hitter Raelene Elam and middle hitter Courtney Baker, who were 2024 Paralympic alternates, bring valuable international experience. Setter Gia Cruz and outside hitter Jessie West will make their second international appearances of 2025 after competing at the Dutch Tournament. Defensive specialist Maddy Ball returns to international play for the first time since 2023.
U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Roster for World Cup
No Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
2 Bethany Zummo (L, 5-3, Dublin, Calif.)
3 Alexis Patterson (S/L, 5-4, Waseca, Minn.)
4 Maddy Ball (DS, 5-7, Delray Beach, Fla.)
9 Tia Edwards (OH/MB, 5-7, Skiatook, Okla.)
10 Kari Ortiz (L, 5-6, Washington, D.C.)
12 Emma Schieck (OH, 5-7, Statesville, N.C.)
13 Gia Cruz (S, 5-5, San Antonio, Texas)
15 Kendra Hall (5-7, Westfield, Ind.)
16 Nicky Nieves (MB/OH, 5-10, Kissimmee, Fla.)
17 Jessie West (OH, 5-8, Edmond, Okla.)
18 Courtney Baker (MH, 5-9, Crofton, Ky.)
21 Annie Flood (S, 5-7, Salem, Ore.)
24 Raelene Elam (OH, 6-1, St. George, Utah, Northern California)
Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coach: Grace Campbell
Performance Analyst: Jeff Hicks
Athletic Trainer: Samantha Carter
Mental Performance Coach: Brooke Lamphere
Team Manager: Jon Aharoni
Schedule
All times Pacific
Oct. 12: USA vs. Italy, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 13: USA vs. Netherlands, 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 14: USA vs. Canada, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 15: USA vs. Germany, 10:30 a.m.
Oct. 16: USA vs. Brazil, 12:30 p.m.
Oct. 17: Playoff rounds
Oct. 18: Medal Matches