Women's Sitting Team Wins 2024 Super 6

Colorado Springs, Colo. (June 16, 2024) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team captured the World ParaVolley Super 6 gold medal Sunday with a 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19) win over China in Nancy, France.

The U.S. (6-0) successfully defended its title from 2019, which was the last time the event was held. With the win, the U.S. established itself as a favorite to win the Paris Paralympic gold medal in September.

The U.S. had four athletes on the tournament Dream Team, including Heather Erickson as MVP. Katie Bridge was named Best Blocker, Kaleo Kanahele Maclay was named Best Setter, and Bethany Zummo was Best Libero.

The starting lineup of Monique Matthews, Erickson, Kanahele Maclay, ridge, Nicky Nieves, Lora Webster and Zummo (libero) jumped out early in the first set. Webster was a dominant force at the net with four blocks to go along with a kill and an ace. China came back from a five-point deficit at 17-12 to move within one at 20-19, but a Webster block and key ace effectively put the set out of reach for the U.S. win, 25-20.

Despite an early lead for the U.S., China was in control for most of set two, leading by as many as eight at 14-6. But the U.S. pushed back slowly to tie the game at 15, led by four kills from Bridge. The momentum shifted again, with China keeping just ahead until winning 25-20.

The U.S. hit the floor with fire in set three, jumping out to an 11-3 lead behind a balanced attack from Erickson, Matthews, Bridge and Webster. Nieves added a pair of kills to make it 13-5. The U.S. kept the edge throughout the set to win 25-18.

With the gold medal in site, the U.S. began to pull away in set four after a block by Nieves and kills from Erickson, Matthews and Bridge. Emma Schieck came in for key serves, including an ace to make it 21-17. The U.S. finished off the set with blocks from Erickson, Nieves and Matthews, a kill from Matthews, and a final ace from Webster, 25-19.

Defensively, the team held steady with great rallies and digs from Zummo and fellow libero Sydney Satchell.

The U.S. heads home for a couple weeks of rest before returning to Europe for the Dutch Tournament, July 5-7 in Essen, Netherlands.

No., Name, Pos., Ht., Hometown, USAV Region

1 Lora Webster (MB, 5-11, Point Lookout, N.Y., Garden Empire)
2 Bethany Zummo (L, 5-3, Dublin, Calif., Northern California)
3 Alexis Shifflett-Patterson (S/L, 5-4, Waseca, Minn., North Country)
5 Katie (Holloway) Bridge (OH, 6-3, Lake Stevens, Wash., Puget Sound)
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)
22 MaKenzie Franklin (OH, 6-0, Red Wing, Minn., North Country)
24 Raelene Elam (OH, 6-1, St. George, Utah, Northern California)

Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coaches: Leo Filho, Michelle Goodall
Athletic Trainer: Kat King
Performance Analyst: Jeffery Hicks
Team Psychologist: Adam O’Neil
Athletic Performance Coach: Bobby Moore
Team Manager: Patrick Lawrence

Schedule

All times Pacific

June 11
USA def. Brazil, 3-1 (25-18, 24-26, 25-21, 25-22)

June 12
USA def. Italy, 3-1 (25-14, 25-11, 23-25, 25-10)

June 13
USA def. China, 3-1 (23-25, 25-18, 25-19, 25-19)

June 14
USA def. France, 3-0 (25-11, 25-7, 25-8)

June 15
USA def. Canada, 3-0 (25-20, 25-16, 25-16)

June 16
Gold Medal Match
USA def. China, 3-1 (25-20, 20-25, 25-18, 25-19)