Women's Sitting Team One Win Away from Qualification

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (May 10, 2023) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team is one win away from Paris 2024 Paralympic qualification after beating Canada on Wednesday, 3-1 (18-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-11) at the ParaVolley Pan American Zonal Championship in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

The match was the second in a best-of-five series between the U.S. Women and Canada, with the winner earning a berth to the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The U.S. has won the last two Paralympic gold medals and is currently ranked No. 1 in the world. Canada is ranked No. 3.

“We started out a little slow but then came on strong,” U.S. Head Coach Bill Hamiter said. “I’ll tell you, set 3 was one of the most excellent sets I have probably seen played in sitting volleyball. There weren’t a lot of errors. Both sides were hitting strong. I was glad we were able to win that one.”

The U.S. serving game was on point and it led Canada in aces 11-5 led by setter Kaleo Kanahele Maclay who had seven.

The U.S. led in blocks 18-13 paced by outside hitter Monique Matthews who finished with nine.

The U.S. Women led in kills 47-42 with opposite Heather Erickson leading the way with 14.

Matthews led all scorers with 21 points on 11 kills to go with nine blocks and one ace. Erickson and middle blocker Tia Edwards each scored 15 points. Kanahele Maclay finished with 11 points on seven aces, three kills and one block.

Libero Sydney Satchell was credited with 21 receptions, 52 percent positive.

Middle Lora Webster entered the match as a substitute in the first set and started the next three, finishing with 10 points. Setter Lexi Shifflett scored two points and middle Nicky Nieves had one.

Matches will be live streamed at youtube.com.

Schedule/Results (all times PT)
Tuesday, May 9
USA def. Canada, 3-2 (21-25 18-25, 25-16, 25-17, 15-12)

Wednesday, May 10
USA def. Canada, 3-1 (18-25, 25-16, 25-20, 25-11)

Thursday, May 11
6 p.m. vs. Canada

Friday, May 12
3:30 p.m. vs. Canada

Saturday, May 13
3 p.m. vs. Canada

Roster

U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Roster
No. Name (Position, Ht., Hometown, Region)
1 Lora Webster (MB, 5-11, Point Lookout, N.Y., Garden Empire)
3 Lexi Shifflett-Patterson (S, 5-4, Waseca, Minn., North Country)
4 Maddy Ball (OH, 5-7, Delray Beach, Fla., Florida)
6 Heather Erickson (Opp, 6-0, Fayetteville, N.C., Carolina)
7C Monique Matthews (MB/OH, 6-0, Ardmore, Okla., Oklahoma)
8 Whitney Dosty (OH/OPP, 6-3, Tucson, Ariz., Arizona)
9 Tia Edwards (OH/MB, 5-7, Skiatook, Okla., Oklahoma)
10 Sydney Satchell (L, 5-2, Windsor, Conn., New England)
12 Emma Schieck (OH, 5-7, Statesville, N.C., Carolina)
14 Kaleo Kanahele Maclay (S, 5-6, Honolulu, Hawaii, Oklahoma)
16 Nicky Nieves (MB/OH, 5-10, Kissimmee, Fla., Florida)
18 Courtney Baker (OH, 5-9, Crofton, Ky., Pioneer)
22 MaKenzie Franklin (OH, 6-0, Red Wing, Minn., North Country)

Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coach: Michelle Goodall
Assistant Coach: Jeffery Hicks
Athletic Trainer: Kat King
Team Manager: Patrick Lawrence
Sport Psychologist: Adam O’Neil