Women's Sitting Team Sweeps into Semifinals at Worlds

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 9, 2022) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team took another big step toward winning its first world championship on Wednesday and swept Germany (25-10, 25-14, 25-9) in the quarterfinals of the ParaVolley World Championships in Sarajevo.

The U.S. Women (4-0) will play Brazil (4-0) in the semifinals at 8:45 a.m. CT on Thursday.

The U.S. Women had little trouble against Germany. Every player on the roster got playing time in the match.

The U.S. Women led in kills (33-13), blocks (9-2) and aces (13-3). The U.S. Women’s hitting efficiency behind starting setter Lexi Shifflett was .388.

“We limited our errors and passed and served well,” said outside hitter Courtney Baker who played as a substitute and scored with an ace. “We made sure we got into a good rhythm going into the semifinals tomorrow. It was a fun team win.”

Libero Sydney Satchell started the first and third sets and finished with 11 receptions: 64 percent positive.

“To start and do well in my first World Championship quarterfinals is surreal,” Satchell said. “I’m making sure I take in this experience and just take it one game at a time.”

Libero Bethan Zummo started the second set and had three receptions: 67 percent positive.

U.S. outside hitter Monique Matthews led all scorers with 14 points on seven kills, five aces and two blocks.

Middle blocker Lora Webster added 11 points on five kills, a match-high five blocks and one ace. Outside hitter Heather Erickson hit a match-high nine kills to go with one block and one ace.

Middle Tia Edwards started the first and third sets and finished with eight points on three kills and five aces. Whitney Dosty played opposite and scored on six kills.

Middle Nicky Nieves started the second set and scored two points with a kill and a block. Kaleo Kanahele Maclay and Emma Schieck each played as a substitute and scored with a kill. Maddy Ball also played as a substitute.

“This was a great match and every single one of our athletes contributed and some gained valuable international experience,” U.S. Assistant Coach Michelle Goodall said. “We played clean and looked sharp in passing and serving. Looking forward to the semifinals tomorrow.”

Germany’s leading scorer, Michelle Schiffler, used to play for the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team and won a silver medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games and gold in 2016 with the United States. She moved to Germany after marrying a member of German’s Men’s Sitting Team.

Matches are being live streamed on the World ParaVolley YouTube Channel.

U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Roster for the World Championship

No. Name (Position, Ht., Hometown, Region)
1 Lora Webster (MB, 5-11, Point Lookout, N.Y., Garden Empire)
2 Bethany Zummo (L, 5-3, Dublin, Calif., Northern California)
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)
13 Gia Cruz (S, 5-5, San Antonio, Texas, Lone Star)
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)

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

U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Schedule for the World Championship
(Subject to change; All times CT)

Nov. 4: USA def Iran 3-1 (25-13, 25-12, 20-25, 25-16)
Nov. 6: USA def Canada 3-2 (22-25, 25-22, 21-25, 25-12, 15-7)
Nov. 7: USA def Slovenia 3-0 (25-12, 25-15, 25-17)
Nov. 9: Quarterfinals: USA def Germany 3-0 (25-10, 25-14, 25-9)
Nov. 10 Semifinals: USA vs Brazil at 8:45 a.m. CT
Nov. 11 Playoffs and Medal matches