COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 5, 2011) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team got off to a good start on Monday at the ECVD Continental Cup with victories over Russia and Ukraine in Yevpatoriya, Ukraine.
In their first match, the U.S. Women defeated Russia, 15-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 19-17.
Team Captain Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete) led all scorers with 23 points on a match-high 16 kills (51.6 kill percent) and a match-high seven blocks.
“It was a good opening match for us,” U.S. Assistant Coach Cara Lang (Sartell, Minn.) said. “At this tournament, all teams are allowed two able-bodied and two-minimally disabled athletes on the court at a time. We are the smallest squad here with seven, all permanently disabled players; so it was a good win.”
In team statistics, the U.S. led in kills (47-24) and blocks (21-9) while Russia led in aces (17-3).
Among other U.S. scorers, Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./UCO Resident Athlete) added 15 points on 11 kills, three blocks and one ace. Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete) totaled 11 points on nine attacks and two blocks while Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.) added 10 points on two attacks, six blocks and two aces.
Brenda Maymon (Sellersburg, Ind.) scored eight points on four attacks, two blocks and two aces. Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Okla.) scored five points on four attacks and one block. Libero Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) was credited with a match-high 43 receptions.
In Monday’s second match, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team beat host Ukraine, 25-18, 25-21, 21-15, 25-23. Holloway again led all scorers with 25 points on a match-high 22 kills (52.4 kill percent) and three blocks.
“We really found our niche against Ukraine,” Lang said. “It was good to get this day over with on a good note.”
In team statistics, the U.S. led in successful attacks (52-27) with a kill percent of 41.9. The U.S. led in blocks (10-9) and in aces (7-6).
Erickson totaled 11 points on 11 kills. Burkland added 10 points on five attacks, three blocks and two aces.
Nichole Millage finished with nine points on eight attacks and one ace. Gerlosky had nine points on four attacks, three blocks and two aces. Maymon totaled five points on two attacks, one block and two aces.
Miller led both teams in receptions with 38.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Women will face Slovenia and Brazil.
ECVD Continental Cup
Sept. 5-11 in Yevpatoriya and Crimea, Ukraine
U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Roster for Ukraine
No. Name (Hometown)
3 Brenda Maymon (Sellersburg, Ind.)
4 Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.)
5 Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete)
6 Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete)
7 Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Okla./UCO Resident Athlete)
10 Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.)
13 Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./UCO Resident Athlete)
Head Coach: Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.)
Assistant Coach: Cara Lang (Sartell, Minn.)
Athletic Trainer: Kazuma Akehi (Japan)
Tournament Schedule
Day 1
Sept. 5: USA vs. Russia at 4:30 a.m. CT
Sept. 5: Brazil vs. Netherlands at 5:30 a.m. CT
Sept. 5: Great Britain vs. Slovenia at 6:30 a.m. CT
Sept. 5: USA vs. Ukraine at 10 a.m. CT
Sept. 5: Russia vs. Slovenia at 11 a.m. CT
Sept. 5: Brazil vs. Great Britain at noon CT
Day 2
Sept. 6: Ukraine vs. Netherlands at 4 a.m. CT
Sept. 6: USA vs. Slovenia at 5 a.m. CT
Sept. 6: Russia vs. Brazil at 6 a.m. CT
Sept. 6: Slovenia vs. Ukraine at 10 a.m. CT
Sept. 6: Netherlands vs. Great Britain at 11 a.m. CT
Sept. 6: USA vs. Brazil at 10 a.m. CT at noon CT
Day 3
Sept. 7: Ukraine vs. Great Britain at 4 a.m. CT
Sept. 7: Slovenia vs. Brazil at 5 a.m. CT
Sept. 7: Netherlands vs. Russia at 6 a.m. CT
Sept. 7: Brazil vs. Ukraine at 10 a.m. CT
Sept. 7: Great Britain vs. Russia at 11 a.m. CT
Sept. 7: USA vs. Netherlands at noon CT
Day 4
Sept. 8: Ukraine vs. Russia at 2 a.m. CT
Sept. 8: Great Britain vs. at 4 a.m. CT
Sept. 8: Slovenia vs. Netherlands at 5 a.m. CT
Semifinals
Sept. 9: Semifinal 1 at 5 a.m. CT
Sept. 9: Semifinal 2 at 7 a.m. CT
Sept. 9: 5-7 places match at 9 a.m. CT
Finals
Sept. 10: 5-7 places match at 3 a.m. CT
Sept. 10: 5-7 places match at 5:30 a.m. CT
Sept. 10: Bronze medal match at 7:30 a.m. CT
Sept. 10: Gold medal match at 9 a.m. CT