COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 15, 2019) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, ranked No. 1 in the world, improved to 4-0 at the World ParaVolley World Super 6 following its 25-17, 25-18, 25-10 victory over Ukraine on Friday in Tokyo, Japan.
Team USA, now 22-0 in 2019, completes pool play with rematches versus Japan on Friday at 8 p.m. ET followed by Russia on Saturday at 1 a.m. ET. With today’s victory, the Americans advance to the gold-medal match on Sunday (midnight ET) regardless on the outcomes versus Japan and Russia. All World Super 6 matches are being streamed on the World ParaVolley Facebook page.
Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Oklahoma) led all scorers with 21 points via nine kills on 17 swings, eight aces on 19 serves and four blocks. Nicole Nieves (Kissimmee, Florida) totaled seven points with four kills on eight attacks, two blocks and an ace. Tia Edwards (Skiatook, Oklahoma) contributed three kills on seven errorless attacks and two blocks.
Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Washington), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, North Carolina), Nichole Millage (Champaign, Illinois) and Annie Flood (Salem, Oregon) all scored four points for Team USA. Kaleo Kanahele Maclay (Honolulu, Hawaii) registered three points, while Jillian Williams (Odem, Texas) and Emma Schieck (Statesville, North Carolina) racked up two points apiece. Lexi Shifflett (Waseca, Minnesota) rounded out the scoring with an ace.
Burkland handled seven receptions with a 71 positive reception percent. Flood had a 57 positive reception percent on seven chances, and Bethany Zummo (Dublin, California) was credited with a 43 positive reception percent on seven chances.
Team USA held a 14-6 ace advantage and 12-5 margin in blocks. The Americans converted 43 percent of their attacks with a 31-19 edge in kills.
After holding a slim 7-6 lead in the opening set, Team USA erupted for a 9-3 run taking a 16-9 advantage en route to a 25-17 victory. Ukraine built a 15-10 lead in the second set, but the Americans scored 15 of the final 18 points for a 25-18 victory. The U.S. controlled the final set from the start in cruising to the 25-10 victory.