COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 3, 2022) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team won their first tournament of the season Sunday as both they and the Men’s National Team wrapped up play at the Dutch Tournament in Assen, Netherlands.

Women’s Sitting National Team: 2-0

USA def. Great Britain, 3-0 (25-4, 25-12, 25-7) (PDF)
USA def. Canada, 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15) (PDF)

Reigning Paralympic gold medalists and the world’s top-ranked team, the Women’s Sitting Team capped an undefeated weekend with two more wins. They swept through Great Britain in the first match of the day, allowing only 23 points over all three sets. The U.S. posted a team points percentage of 56% against Great Britain, scoring 30 points on 54 swings. Tia Edwards and Jillian Williams each reached double-digit points, scoring 19 and 10 times, respectively.

Eleven of the 12 athletes on the U.S. roster saw the court against Great Britain. Youngsters Maddie Ball, Emma Schieck and Gia Cruz started at least one set of the match.

Against Canada, the U.S. had to grind out the first two sets before establishing dominance. The Americans won the first 25-23, but the Canadians countered at 22-25 in the second. In the third set, the U.S. found its rhythm, posting a team match high 36% positive reception mark and blocking seven attacks. In the fourth, the U.S. quickly took a six-point lead at 10-4, a margin that would only grow as the frame progressed.

Captain Monique Matthews led all players with 23 points against Canada. She tallied a double-double with 11 blocks and 11 kills, and she also landed one ace. Nicky Nieves added 11 points – eight kills, three blocks – and Williams scored nine.

Matthews also led the team with 15 receptions, 33% positive. Williams handled 12, and libero Bethany Zummo made 11.

“We are happy with the results from today,” head coach Bill Hamiter said. “Against Canada, we played three solid sets with good sideout percentages as well as good net play. I’m pleased with how the team played throughout the tournament and with the valuable experience we gained.”

Men’s Sitting National Team: 1-1

USA def. Netherlands, 3-0
Brazil def. USA, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-23)

The U.S. Men’s Sitting National Team wrapped up the Dutch Tournament with two matches Sunday. They beat the host team Netherlands, 3-0, before taking on No. 4 Brazil.

“Today was pretty good,” head coach Greg Walker said. “Netherlands was always a top-10 team and were returning a bunch of starters. The guys came out this morning really fired up to beat them. We got a lot of contribution from newer starters and guys off the bench.”

Just one day after taking Brazil to four sets, the U.S. played three close frames against their zonal rivals. The first went to extra points with the U.S. turning aside one set point on a kill from Roderick Green. Brazil took the next two points, however, to win the set. In the second, the U.S. won the first four points, but Brazil rallied to win the frame.

Down 19-15 in the third, the U.S. used another four-point run to tie the score. Brazil took the next four points, but the Americans again clawed back to within two. Another point gave Brazil match point, but James Stuck landed a kill and Zach Upp blocked a Brazilian attack to pull back within one. Brazil scored coming out of their own timeout, however, to clinch the match.

“It was great playing Brazil for the second time this tournament,” Walker said. “We recognize that in Zone, [beating Brazil] is the best chance to qualify for the Paralympics. From a production standpoint, we’re generating enough points to win, it’s just trying to minimize some of the errors. This tournament really showed that it’s a difference of making some of those plays we give up or a read play we don’t see. That’s within our ability to make.

“We’re excited to get back to training. The guys are fired up after the tournament here. We’re returning a lot of our starters, and this tournament showed the guys that we can break into the top five.”

Women’s Schedule (all times Pacific)

July 1
USA def. Netherlands, 3-0 (25-15, 25-15, 25-10) (PDF Stats)
USA def. Germany, 3-0 (25-21,25-18,25-11) (PDF Stats)

July 2
USA def. Brazil, 3-1 (25-9, 25-16, 19-25, 25-21)
USA def. Italy, 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-21)

July 3
USA def. Great Britain, 3-0 (25-4, 25-12, 25-7) (PDF)
USA def. Canada, 3-1 (25-23, 22-25, 25-15, 25-15) (PDF)

Men’s Schedule (all times Pacific)

July 1
Kazakhstan def. USA, 3-1 (23-25, 25-23, 25-21, 21-16)
Brazil def. USA, 3-1 (25-17, 20-25, 25-11, 25-17)

July 2
Germany def. USA
USA def. Great Britain, 3-0 (25-17, 25-10, 25-13)

July 3
USA def. Netherlands, 3-0
Brazil def. USA, 3-0 (26-24, 25-21, 25-23)

Women’s Roster

2 Bethany Zummo (L, 5-3, Dublin, Calif.)
3 Lexi Shifflett (S/L, 5-4, Waseca, Minn.)
4 Maddy Ball (OH, 5-7, Delray Beach, Fla.)
7 Monique Matthews (MB/OH, 6-0, Ardmore, Okla.)
8 Whitney Dosty (OH/OPP, 6-3, Tucson, Ariz.)
9 Tia Edwards (OH/MB, 5-7, Skiatook, Okla.)
10 Sydney Satchell (L, 5-2, Oklahoma City, Okla.)
11 Jillian Williams (MB/OPP/OH, 5-10, Odem, Texas)
12 Emma Schieck (OH, 5-7, Statesville, N.C.)
13 Gia Cruz (S, 5-5, San Antonio Texas)
16 Nicky Nieves (MB/OH, 5-10, Kissimmee, Fla.)
18 Courtney Baker (OH, 5-9, Crofton, Ky.)

Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coach: Michelle Goodall
Athletic Trainer: Kat King
Performance Analyst: Jeffery Hicks
Team Leader: Bobby Moore

Men’s Roster

No Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
2 Dan Regan (OH, 6-0, Edmond, Okla.)
3 Nicholas Dadgostar (L, 6-0, Sydney, Neb.)
4 Ben Aman (OH, 6-5, Edmond, Okla.)
5 Eric Duda (S/OH, 6-5, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.)
8 James Stuck (S/OH, 6-5, New Kensington, Pa.)
10 Murtahda Hadi (MB, 6-0)
11 Roderick Green (MB, 6-3, West Monroe, La.)
12 Patrick Young (OH, 6-4, Albuquerque, N.M.)
15 Chris Seilkop (OH, 6-6, Deland, Fla.)
17 Zach Upp (OH, 6-5, Bartlett, Ill.)
18 J Dee Marinko (OH, 6-4, Norman, Okla.)
21 John Kremer (L, 5-9, Buford, Ga.)
49 Sam Surowiec (OH, 6-2, Everett, Wash.)

Head Coach: Greg Walker
Assistant Coach: Joe Skinner
Assistant Coach: Kyle Homeyer
Performance Analyst: David Dantes
Athletic Trainer: Brian Farr
Team Leader: Julie Allen