COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 24, 2017) – The U.S. Girls’ Sitting Team will take home the silver medal from the Youth Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil after falling to Brazil, 25-15, 23-25, 25-19 in the gold medal match on Friday.
This was the first time a U.S. volleyball team had competed at the Youth Parapan American Games and the group had limited time to practice together.
The U.S. team achieved one of its goals Friday by taking a set off the host country, something third-place Venezuela did not do. Host Brazil’s team included a player who had competed on its 2016 bronze-medal winning Paralympic team.
“I am so happy with how our girls played today,” U.S. Head Coach Elliot Blake said. “They kept to our system throughout the match, even when Brazil started getting desperate and attacked repeatedly on first and second contacts.
“There were some exciting rallies, some call that could have gone either way, but at the end of the day, the girls played their best and have no regrets.”
U.S. Roster for Youth Parapan American Games
Alyssa Cleland (Edmond, Okla.)
Annie Flood (Salem, Ore.)
Autum Reagan (Wellington, Kan.)
Nina McVay (Mooresville, N.C.)
Head Coach: Elliot Blake
Athletic Trainer: Lauren Chamness
Competition Schedule (All times local)
March 21
Brazil def. Venezuela, 3-0
USA def. Venezuela, 2-1
March 22
Brazil def. USA, 3-0
Brazil def. Venezuela, 3-0
March 23
USA def. Venezuela, 2-1
Brazil def. USA, 3-0
March 24
Brazil def USA, 2-1
Final Ranking
1. Brazil
2. USA
3. Venezuela