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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 18, 2025) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team won the gold medal in dramatic fashion, pulling off the reverse sweep against Brazil 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-12) at the 2025 World ParaVolley World Cup at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The U.S. finished the tournament 5-2. Brazil (6-1) entered the gold medal match undefeated in the tournament.
The U.S. led in kills (52-49) and blocks (13-6). Brazil led at the serving line (14-9).
“I’m super proud,” U.S. head coach Bill Hamiter said. “The way they (the U.S. Women) played throughout the whole tournament. A few ups and downs, but they really played exceptionally well. A lot of effort and great defense which really kept us in a lot of those matches. Today, the biggest part was trying to keep them in and staying relaxed. They settled in, started executing and that was the difference in the game.”
Emma Schieck led the U.S. with 21 points on 15 kills, three blocks and three aces. Tia Edwards led all players with four blocks and added three kills and an ace.
Nicky Nieves had 15 points on 11 kills, three blocks and an ace. Raelene Elam had 12 points on 11 kills and a block. Gia Cruz had 11 points on six kills, two blocks and three aces. Alexis Patterson had six points on five kills and an ace. Bethany Zummo was credited with 21 receptions.
The U.S. held a five-point lead three separate times in the first set and 12-7, 15-10 and 17-13. However, Brazil scored four points in a row, three of which were aces to take a 20-19 lead late in the set. The U.S. fought off three set points to tie it up 24-24, but Brazil ultimately took the first set in extra points 26-24.
The second set was back and forth until late when Brazil scored four straight points to take a 22-18 lead. The momentum was too much to overcome for the U.S. and Brazil took a 2-0 match lead.
The third set started in favor of Brazil early as they jumped to an 8-3 lead. The U.S. kept their poise and scored six straight points that gave them a 12-10 lead. From then the U.S. stormed ahead to take the set 25-18 and quell Brazil’s hopes of a sweep to the gold medal.
Despite the fourth set staying close early on, it was clear the U.S. had an energy spark. The momentum began to shift when the U.S. scored three straight points to take a 12-9 lead on a pair of Elam kills and an ace from Cruz. The U.S. never looked back taking the set 25-20 and forcing a fifth set.
The fifth set was all USA early with Brazil’s only lead coming at 3-2. The U.S. took match point at 14-7, but Brazil would not go without a fight scoring five straight points to get within two. Ultimately, a net fault error ended the match and the U.S. pulled off the reverse sweep to win the gold medal.
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
All times Pacific
Oct. 12: Italy def. USA, 3-2 (18-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-17, 16-14)
Oct. 13: USA def. Netherlands, 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-13)
Oct. 14: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-23)
Oct. 15: USA def. Germany, 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-10)
Oct. 16: Brazil def. USA, 3-1 (25-14, 25-23, 21-25, 25-15)
Oct. 17: Semifinals: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25=22)
Oct. 18: Gold Medal Match: USA def. Brazil, 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-12)
The U.S. Women's Sitting National Team won its semifinal matchup against Canada, 3-0 (25-17, 25-14, 25-22) and will play for the gold medal at the 2025 World Cup at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The U.S. Women's Sitting National Team finished second in pool play at the 2025 World Cup and will play in the semifinals Friday at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The U.S. Women's Sitting National Team took care of business Wednesday afternoon at the 2025 World Cup with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-10) victory over Germany at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The sweep-fest at the 2025 World ParaVolley World Cup continued Tuesday afternoon as the U.S. Women's Sitting Team defeated Canada 3-0 (25-13, 26-24, 25-23) at the Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team won its first match at the 2025 World ParaVolley World Cup Monday with a 3-0 (25-19, 25-20, 25-13) victory over the Netherlands.
The U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team fell to Italy in a reverse sweep 18-25, 18-25, 25-22, 25-17, 16-14 on Sunday to open pool play at the 2025 World ParaVolley World Cup Fort Wayne, Indiana.
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.
