Men's Sitting Team Takes Silver at Paralympic Qualifier

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (April 10, 2024) – The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team fell to Ukraine on Wednesday 3-0 (25-17, 32-30, 25-19) in the final of the 2024 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball Final Qualifier in Dali, China.

The U.S. Men’s second-place finish with a 6-2 record means that the team will not compete at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Ukraine barely led the U.S. Men in kills (37-36) but had greater advantages in aces (7-4) and blocks (12-4).

Outside hitter Zach Upp led the U.S. scoring with 16 points on 14 kills and two aces. Middle blocker Roderick Green added nine points on five kills, three blocks and one ace.

Opposite Eric Duda finished with eight points on seven kills and one block. Outside hitter James Stuck added six points on six kills.

Setter John Kremer scored three points on two kills and one ace. Middle Ben Aman started the third set and scored two points on two kills. Middle Chris Seilkop started the match but did not score.

Libero Nicholad Dadgostar was credited with nine receptions, 67 percent positive.

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: USA def Iraq, 3-1 (21-25, 18-25, 29-27, 20-25)
April 4: USA def Ukraine, 3-1 (21-25, 25-20, 20-25, 25-19, 15-13)
April 6: China def USA, 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20)
April 6: USA def Poland, 3-0 (25-19, 25-22, 25-17)
April 8: USA def Japan, 3-0 (25-15, 25-20, 25-14)
April 8: USA def Croatia, 3-0 (25-18, 25-14, 25-14)
April 9: Ukraine def USA, 3-0 (25-17, 32-30, 25-19)