Final Paralympic Qualifier Continues with a 3-1 win over Iraq

DALI, China (April 4, 2024) – The U.S. Men’s Sitting team won its second match at the 2024 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball Final Qualifier by taking a 3-1 (25-21, 25-18, 27-29, 25-20) victory over Iraq on Thursday in Dali, China.

The winner of the Final Qualifier will get the last berth available at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. Eight teams will play each other in a round robin, and the two with the best records will play a championship match for the berth on April 10.

The U.S. continues its qualification campaign with a match against Ukraine on April 5 (11p.m. Eastern/8pm  Pacific).

“Massive win,” U.S. Head Coach Greg Walker said after the match. “We very much knew that this was going to be real tough team so I’m proud of the guys for truly just being a great team.”

Iraq had a strong serving game with five aces and only eight errors. The U.S. posted a 60% positive mark on 73 receptions, 29 of them going the way of libero Nick Dadgostar

“The first two sets, I thought they had some control in it,” Walker said. “We knew going into the game it was going to be super emotional. The officials did a good job with being consistent and keeping control of the match. Going into the third set, we knew from playing them at worlds that this is a team that’s not just going to give it to you, you have to really work for it. It was point for point.”

The U.S. outscored Iraq in kills 46-39 and 39% to 33 in points percentage. Middle blocker James Stuck led all scorers with 16 kills. Outside hitter Eric Duda had 12 kills and opposite Zach Upp added 11. Stuck, Duda and outside hitter Roderick Green each had one ace.

The U.S. as the team held a 12-9 blocking advantage. Upp recorded a match-leading five blocks. Green added three of his own and Stuck contributed two.

“Our team did pretty awesome” setter, John Kremer said. “The team came out strong, we held it together and we got out early with a 3-1 victory, so we are looking forward to our next match tomorrow.”

U.S. Men’s Sitting Team Roster

No Name (Position, Height, Hometown, Region)
1 Travis Ricks (L, 5-7, San Diego, Calif., Southern California)
2 Dan Regan (OH, 6-0, St. Louis, Gateway)
3 Nicholas Dadgostar (L, 6-0, Sidney, Neb., Chesapeake)
4 Ben Aman (OH, 6-5, Edmond, Okla., Oklahoma)
5 Eric Duda (S/OH, 6-5, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Florida)
7 Robbie Gaupp (Opp/OH, Havre De Grace, Md., Chesapeake)
8 James Stuck (S/OH, 6-5, New Kensington, Pa., Keystone)
11C Roderick Green (MB, 6-3, West Monroe, La., Bayou)
12 Patrick Young (OH, 6-4, Albuquerque, N.M., Sun Country)
14 John Kremer (L, 5-9, Buford, Ga., Southern)
15 Chris Seilkop (OH, 6-6, Deland, Fla., Florida)
17 Zach Upp (OH, 6-5, Bartlett, Ill., Great Lakes)
20 Jason Roberts (San Diego, Calif., Southern California)
23 William Curtis (Tampa, Fla., Florida)

Head Coach: Greg Walker
Assistant Coach: Joe Skinner
Assistant Coach: Julie Allen
Team Leader: Jeffery Hicks
Performance Analyst: Sydnie Mabry
Athletic Trainer: Whitney Padgett
Sport Psychologist: Taylor Gabler

U.S. Schedule (All times PDT)

April 2: USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-19, 25-21, 25-19)
April 3: 11 p.m. USA vs Iraq
April 4: 8 p.m. USA vs Ukraine
April 6: 1 a.m. USA vs China
April 6: 6 p.m. USA vs Poland
April 8: 1 a.m. USA vs Japan
April 8: 8 p.m. USA vs Croatia