COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 19, 2017) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team qualified for the gold medal match at the World ParaVolley World Super 6 on Friday when it swept Netherlands, 25-13, 25-7, 25-16.
The United States improved to 4-0 in matches and 12-0 in sets and will face the only other undefeated team, Russia (4-0) to finish pool play on Saturday. It will also play Russia on Sunday in the gold medal match.
“It’s great to find ourselves in the position where we are offered multiple opportunities to play a talented opponent within a 48-hour span,” Assistant Coach Jon Aharoni said. “This set-up allows us the comfortable space to experiment and collect data tomorrow before we settle into a match plan for Sunday’s final. We’re looking forward to this.”
Serving was again the story for the U.S. Women, who led in aces 22-7. They also led in kills, 29-10 and blocks, 10-7.
Monique Burkland led all scorers with 20 points on a match-high nine kills, a match-high nine aces and two blocks. Nicky Nieves added 11 points on four kills, four blocks and three aces.
Several substitutes also saw significant playing time. Whitney Dosty started the second and third sets and scored nine points. Courtney Baker started the first and third sets and scored six points. Kari Miller started the second and third sets and scored on an ace.
U.S. Starters vs Netherlands
Outside hitter: Monique Burkland and Lexi Shifflett
Middle blockers: Nicky Nieves and Courtney Baker
Opposite: Heather Erickson
Setter: Kaleo (Kanahele) Maclay
Libero: Bethany Zummo
U.S. Statistics vs Netherlands
Kills: Monique Burkland 9, Whitney Dosty 7, Heather Erickson 7, Nicky Nieves 4, Lexi Shifflett 1, Courtney Baker 1
Blocks: Nieves 4, Erickson 2, Burkland 2, Shifflett 1, Baker 1
Aces: Burkland 9, Baker 4, Nieves 3, Dosty 2, Maclay 2, Erickson 1, Miller 1
U.S. Women’s Sitting Team
No. – Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
2 – Bethany Zummo (L, 5-2, Dublin, Calif.)
3 – Alexis Shifflett (S, 5-4, Waseca, Minn.)
6 – Heather Erickson (OH, 5-11, Fayetteville, N.C.)
7 – Monique Burkland (OH, 5-9, Ardmore, Okla.)
8 – Whitney Dosty (OH, 6-3, Tucson, Ariz.)
10 – Kari Miller (L, 5-6, Washington D.C.)
14 – Kaleo Kanahele Maclay (S, 5-6, Edmond, Okla.)
16 – Nicky Nieves (MB, 5-10, Kissimmee, Fla.)
17 – Tia Edwards (OH, 5-7, Skitatook, Okla.)
18 – Courtney Baker (OPP, 5-8, Crofton, Ken.)
Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coaches: Lazaro Beltran and Jon Aharoni
Technical Coordinator: Jeff Hicks
Team Leader: Michelle Goodall
Athletic Trainer: Patrick Lawrence
Competition Schedule and Results (all times ET)
May 16
USA def Japan, 25-19, 25-12, 25-14
Russia def China, 25-20, 16-25, 25-19, 23-25, 15-7
Ukraine def Netherlands, 25-20, 23-25, 25-15, 22-25, 15-13
May 17
USA def China, 25-23, 25-18, 25-17
Netherlands def Japan, 25-12, 25-9, 20-25, 25-14
Russia def Ukraine, 25-18, 25-20, 25-20
May 18
USA def Ukraine, 25-16, 25-22, 25-23
China def Japan, 25-9, 25-13, 25-19
Russia def Netherlands, 25-14, 25-9, 25-19
May 19
USA def Netherlands, 25-13, 25-7, 25-16
Russia def Japan, 25-11, 25-10, 25-18
China def Ukraine, 25-15, 25-21, 25-8
May 20: USA vs Russia, 4 a.m.
May 21
5 v 6, 9 p.m. (May 20)
3 v 4, 10:30 p.m. (May 20)
USA v Russia, 2 a.m.