2012 U.S. Paralympic Women's Sitting Team Press Kit

U.S. Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team

2012 Paralympic Games

London, England August 29– September 9, 2012

For additional information or to schedule interviews, please contact: Becky Murdy, Coordinator, Communications, Media (becky.murdy@usav.org) (719) 228-6800

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Table of Contents Cover page………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 1 Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 2 2012 London Paralympic Preview…………………………………………………………………………………………..

3 History of Sitting Volleyball at the Paralympics………………………………………………………………….

4 2012 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Roster…………………………………………………………………. 5 2012 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Photo Roster………….……………………………………………. 6 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Player Bios……………………………………………………………… ….. 7-18 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Staff Bios……………………………………………………………………..19-21 2012 London Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Schedule……………………………………………………………….. 22 2012 Sitting Volleyball Pools and World Rankings……………………………………………………………………. 23 The Host City: London……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 24 2008 Paralympics in Review………………………………...…………………………………………………………………. 25 2012 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Season in Review………………………………………………... 26 Women’s Sitting Gold at Masters, Holloway MVP……………………………………………………………………. 27 2012 Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Nominees Set…………………………………………………………………….. 28 2010 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Season in Review………………………………………………… 29 U.S. Women Win Parapan Am Championship………………………………………………………………………….. 30 Women’s Sitting Team Wins World Cup…………………………………………………………………………………… 31 U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Qualifies for 2012 Paralympics……………………………………………………… 32 U.S. Women’s Team Takes Silver at Worlds …………………………………………………………………………….. 33 USA Volleyball Names Its Teams of the Year…………………………………………………………………………….. 34 2011 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Season in Review………………………………………………….. 35 Women’s Sitting Team Gold at ECVD, Members Named ‘Best’…………………………………………………. 36 Women’s Sitting Wins Gold at Parapan Am Zonal Championships……………………………………………. 37 U.S. Women’s Team Named 2011 Sitting Team of Year……………………………………………………………. 38 2011 USA Volleyball Women’s Sitting Athlete of the Year……………………………………………………….. 39 All-Time U.S. Women’s Paralympic Volleyball Teams………………………………………………………………. 40 USA Volleyball Fact Sheet………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 41 Volleyball Glossary………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 42 Media Resources…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 43

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U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Looks to Bat Cycle at Paralympics COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Aug. 15, 2012)- The 2012 U.S. Para- lowed by Team USA with the third seed. Ukraine, ranked No. 3 lympic Women’s Volleyball Team will attempt to make history in in the world, takes the fourth seed.

London, Aug. 29-Sept. 9 at the ExCel venue, vying to capture the program’s first-ever gold medal at a Paralympic Games.

The U.S. Women will start competition in Pool B with Brazil, China and Slovenia. Pool A is occupied by Great Britain, Japan, Team USA, ranked second in the world according to the World The Netherlands and Ukraine.

Organization for Disabled Volleyball (WOVD) under head coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.), will kick-start its Paralympic com- The team earned its Paralympic qualification in July of 2010 petition on Friday, Aug. 31, in Pool B at 4 p.m. local time (8 a.m. after capturing the silver medal at the 2010 WOVD Sitting VolPT) against the No. 2 seed and top-ranked team in the world, leyball World Championships. Since then the team has captured China. two gold medals and competed in a hand full of international exhibition matches.

The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team has claimed hardware from the 2004 and 2008 Paralympic Games, winning bronze in In September of 2011 the team took the gold medal at the ECVD Athens and silver in Beijing under then-head coach Mike Hulett, Continental Cup in Yevatoriya, Ukraine. Holloway was named who was awarded USA Volleyball’s highest honor as the Harold tournament most valuable player, Miller was named best libero T. Friermood ‘Frier’ award recipient at the 2012 Boyce Awards and Gerlosky was named best server.

Banquet on May 24 in Dallas. The team now looks to bat a full- In late September the team posted another gold-medal perforcycle with gold in London. mance, this time at the Parapan Am Zonal Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Holloway was again named tournament most valuTeam USA, consists of eight returning athletes from the 2008 able player and added best spiker to her awards, Erickson U.S. Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team: Allison Aldrich earned best server and Kanahele best setter.

(Schuyloer, Neb.), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.), Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.), Brenda Maymon-Jensen With its dominance as a team and individual success the team (Charlestown, Ind.), Lora Webster (Phoenix, Ariz.), Nichole was named the 2011 Sitting Volleyball Team of the Year. HolMillage (Champaign, Ill.), Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) and loway was named the 2011 Sitting Athlete of the Year. team captain Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.).

The team suffered a devastating blow in May 2011 when LanAldrich, Maymon-Jenson, Webster and Lancaster are making caster, who had just been named team captain, suffered injuries their third Paralympic appearances as they also competed at the in a head-on car accident in Morgan Country, Ind. Lancaster, 24, 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens. The four athletes are trying was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condito win their third Paralympic Games medal. tion. But after a year of recovery, she returned to the team for its recent trip to Netherlands where it won the DELA Trophy Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Okla.), Michelle Gerlosky-Schiffler 2012.

(Lake Wales, Fla.) and Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.) will make their Paralympic debuts in London.

As a last stitch effort to prepare for the Paralympics the team traveled to Shanghai for exhibition play with Ukraine and China.

Hamiter is making his first Paralympic trip as the U.S. Women’s The matches brought the top three ranked teams in the world Sitting Volleyball Team head coach. He joined the program as under one roof. Team USA went 1-5 on the tournament and head coach and high performance director in June of 2009. came home for its last team camp to iron out kinks and get ready to jump the pond.

Joining Hamiter on the staff for London will be assistant coach Cara Lang, team leader Cecile Reynaud, athletic trainer Brian The team will be tweeting from the games so be sure to follow Choate and statistician Elliot Blake. @USA_Volleyball (USA Volleyball), @KennyLynn15 (Kendra Lancaster), @KSHolloway (Katie Holloway), @Kaleo_vb10 (Kaleo With the host seeding, Great Britain will take the first seed and Kanahele), @HeatherSitVB6 (Heather Erickson), enter the competition for the first time in its program history. @MoniqueBurkland (Monique Burkland), @allieusa11 (Allison China, ranked No. 1 in the world, will take the second seed fol- Aldrich), @bmrocket3 (Brenda Maymon-Jenson), @KarisittingV

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History of Sitting Volleyball at the Paralympics Copy from London 2012 Paralympics Sitting Volleyball was introduced to the world at the Arnhem 1980 Paralympic Games with men’s sitting volleyball.

Women’s sitting volleyball became part of the Paralympic Games in 2004.

It requires a smaller court (10m x 6m) and a lower net, and the game is considerably faster than standing volleyball. It’s played in a best-of-five set format, and the first to reach 25 points (with at least a 2-point lead) wins the game.

Teams consist of mixed classes in male and female events, with six on the court at a time. At all times, an athletes’ pelvis must be touching the ground, and service blocks are allowed.

At the London 2012 Games, eight teams and 198 athletes will compete in the sport

Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Results 2004 Athens Gold– China Silver– Netherlands Bronze– USA 2008 Beijing Gold– China Silver– USA Bronze– Netherlands

Courtesy of U.S. Paralympics

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2012 U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Roster No. Name

Ht.

Hometown

High School/College

1

Lora Webster

5-11

Phoenix, Ariz.

Cactus Shadows High School

2*

Bethany Zummo

5-3

Dublin, Calif.

University of Central Oklahoma

5-7

Charlestown, Ind.

Midwestern State University

6-0

Lake Wales, Fla.

University of Georgia

3 4

Brenda MaymonJensen Michelle Gerlosky– Schiffler

5

Katie Holloway

6-3

Lake Stevens, Wash.

Cal State Northridge

6

Heather Erickson

6-0

Fayetteville, N.C.

University of Central Oklahoma

7

Monique Burkland

6-0

Ardmore, Okla.

University of Central Oklahoma

8*

Angela DeHaan

5-10

Yuba City, Calif.

Sutter High School

10

Kari Miller

5-6

Washington, D.C.

University of Central Oklahoma

11

Allison Aldrich

5-10

Schuyler, Neb.

Nebraska Wesleyan University

13

Nichole Millage

5-7

Champaign, Ill.

University of Central Oklahoma

14

Kaleo Kanahele

5-6

Oklahoma City, Okla.

Edmond Santa Fe High School

15

Kendra Lancaster

5-7

Westfield, Ind.

Purdue University

*Team Alternate

Head Coach: Bill Hamiter Assistant Coach: Cara Lang Trainer: Brian Choate Statistician: Elliot Blake Team Leader: Cecile Reynaud

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2012 U.S. Paralympic Women’s Volleyball Team Photo Roster

#11 - Allison Aldrich Schuyler, Neb.

#7—Monique Burkland Ardmore, Okla.

#6—Heather Erickson Fayetteville, N.C.

#4—Michelle Gerlosky-Schiffler Lake Wales, Fla.

#5—Katie Holloway Lake Stevens, Wash.

#14—Kaleo Kanahele Oklahoma City, Okla.

#15—Kendra Lancaster Westfield, Ind.

#3—Brenda Maymon-Jensen Charlestown, Ind.

#10—Kari Miller Washington, D.C.

#13—Nichole Millage Champaign, Ill.

#1—Lora Webster Phoenix, Ariz.

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 1 Lora Webster left tibia at age 11 and later underwent a procedure known as rotationplasty to remove the cancerous bone, which included Home: Phoenix, Ariz. the knee. As part of the procedure, her lower leg was rotated Birth Year: 1986 180 degrees and connected to the remnants of the femur. This Height: 5-11 gave her full range of movement, allowing her to play sports. In Residence: Point Lookout, 1998, she was fitted with prosthesis... Graduated from Cactus N.Y. Shadows High School in Cave Creek, Ariz., in 2004... In high College: University of Central school, she competed in volleyball for four years, track for one Oklahoma year and diving for one year at Lincoln East High School in Lincoln, Neb. ... Won the spirit award for varsity volleyball and her 2004 Cactus Shadows team won the state title... In 2004, honored at the 11th Annual Gene Autry Courage Awards in Tempe, Ariz. She was also named USA Volleyball's sitting player of the year that year... In the February 2006 issue of Cosmopolitan magazine, she was named Cosmo's first Fun Fearless Female Reader, an honor that came with a $10,000 cash prize... Studying broadcasting at the University of Central Oklahoma... Her favorMAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Mas- ite food is Italian... Her favorite singer is Adele...Her favorite movies are The Notebook, Bad Boys 2, Garden State and Miraters in The Netherlands (gold). 2010- Lora contributed on the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Parapan Ameri- cle... Favorite professional team is the Indianapolis Colts...Her favorite athlete is Peyton Manning...Her favorite TV shows are can Championship (Colorado)… also contributed to the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team who won the World Organization for Vol- Criminal Minds and Grey's Anatomy among others... Most adleyball Disabled (WOVD) World Cup (Egypt). 2009- U.S. Women’s mired person is her mom because "she is the strongest person she knows and hopes she can be half as great of a mom as she is Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Championship one day."

(Montreal)… also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands)... 2008- Paralympic Games in Beijing (silver medal)... World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China (silver medal). 2006 - Sitting Volleyball World Copyright USA Volleyball Championship in Netherlands (fifth place). 2004 - Lora was the team's leading scorer at the Paralympic Games in Athens (bronze medal). 2003 - Para Pan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina (gold medal). Lora was named best spiker and MVP of the tournament... Lora has also played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to a 40 record and gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2009- Lora was a awarded with team as Paralympians of the Year for 2008. 2008 - Lora helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal finish at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing... Finished the tournament with 29 points (15 kills, 13 blocks and one ace), tied for fourth best on the team... Started all five matches while playing in 16 of the 17 sets in Beijing... Had five kills and five blocks in a five-set semifinal win over the Netherlands.

PERSONAL: Born Lora Jessica Webster on Aug. 26, 1986, in Phoenix, Ariz. ... Parents are Dale and Sandy Webster... Has a sister named Lisa... Diagnosed with osteosarcoma (bone cancer) in her

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 3 Brenda Maymon-Jensen ball... Member of the National Honor Society for two years and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes for four... Graduated from Indiana University SE in 2008 with a general studies degree...

She was on the college dean's list for four semesters and made the chancellor's list for one semester... Enjoys scrapbooking, reading, playing at the park with her stepdaughter Elli and watching movies... She listens to Chris Tomlin, OAR, Dave Matthews, the Script and Matt Kearney among others... Her favorite movie is Pride and Prejudice... Her favorite TV shows are Grey's Anatomy and The Office... Her favorite professional team is the Indianapolis Colts... Role model is her father "because he has always been there for me no matter what the issue. He never judged, only listened. He is someone that I look up to and would like to become more like"...The best day in her life was when she married her husband, Chris.

Home: Sellersburg, Ind. Birth Year: 1985 Height: 5-7 Residence: Wichita Falls, Texas College: Indiana University SE

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands (gold). 2011 - ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine (gold). 2010- Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Oklahoma... Parapan American Championship in Colorado (gold)… World Organization for Volleyball Disabled (WOVD) World Cup Egypt (gold). 2009- U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Championship (Montreal)… also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands). 2008 - Paralympic Games in Beijing (silver medal)... World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China (silver medal). 2006 - Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Netherlands (fifth place). 2004 - Paralympic Games in Athens (bronze medal). 2003 - Parapan American Games in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Brenda has also played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 – Helped U.S. Women to a 4-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 – Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine... Helped the U.S. Women defeat the Shanghai club team in four exhibition matches played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Tallied 19 points on 11 kills, good for fourth on the team. 2009 - Awarded along with team as the Paralympians of the Year for 2008.

2008- U.S. team captain amassed 29 points to help the team to a silver medal finish at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing...

Finished with 15 kills, 10 blocks and four aces in the tournament... Started all five matches and played in 16 of the 17 sets...

Tied for the team lead with two blocks in a preliminary round loss to China.

PERSONAL: Brenda Michelle Jensen, born June 4, 1985, in New Albany, Ind. ... Parents are Patrick and Penny Maymon... Has sister named Ashley... Brenda lost her leg in a lawnmower accident in 1991... She graduated from Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg in 2003... She played one year of high school volley-

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 4 Michelle Gerlosky-Schiffler Home: Lake Wales, Fla. Birth Year: 1983 Height: 6-0 Residence: Lakeland, Fla. College: University of Georgia

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2011- ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine (gold). 2010 - WOVD Sitting Volleyball World Championships (Silver Medal)... WOVD World Cup (Gold Medal)... Parapan American Championship (Gold Medal).

2009 - Michelle helped the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team win the Parapan American Zonal Championship (Montreal).

Has a brother named Greg Gerlosky and a sister named Donna Davis-Ebaugh… Born missing her right hand and part of her forearm. She says she finds it lucky that the radiology technicians had missed this in sonograms prior to her arrival because her mother had nothing to worry about during her pregnancy. After she was born, it was confirmed by geneticists that her disability was not genetic and was just a sporadic event that occurred during development… Graduated from University of Georgia on the Dean’s List, Provost’s List and with cum laude honors…

Played standing volleyball from seventh to 12th grade and joined the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team in January of 2009... Favorite professional team is Tampa Bay Buccaneers… Her favorite athlete is Ronde Barber… Likes to read journal articles, bike, watch and play football, basketball and volleyball… Her husband competed in the Athens and Sydney Paralympics for the German Sitting Volleyball Team... Most admired person is her mother because “she taught me to me to have an open mind, strong will, and yet to be empathetic through her example."

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INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011 – Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine... Named best server of the tournament with a total of 22 service aces… Competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team...Helped the U.S. Women defeat the Shanghai club team in four exhibition matches played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver…

Totaled 16 points with seven kills. She was third on the team with six aces. 2010 –Played in nine sets for the Women's Sitting Team at the World Championships in Edmond, Okla., and tallied 13 aces, 0.50 per set. She also added two kills, 0.22 per set.

PERSONAL: Born Michelle Denise Gerlosky on March 20, 1983, in Lake Wales, Fla. … Parents are Mike Gerlosky and Dayl Davis…

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 5 Katie Holloway team as the Paralympians of the Year for 2008... 2008 - Helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal finish at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing... Was the leading scorer on the U.S. team, totaling 63 points on 38 kills, 17 blocks and eight aces... Played in 15 of the team's 17 sets, starting all five matches... Was the team leader in points in four out of the five matches, including a 23-point effort in a semifinal win over the Netherlands... Finished in double figure in three out of the five U.S. matches.

Home: Lake Stevens, Wash.

Birth Year: 1986 Height: 6-3 Birth Date: June 8, 1986 Residence: Edmond, Okla.

College: Cal State Northridge

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands (gold). 2011- Parapan American Zonal Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold)...ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine (gold). 2010 - Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Oklahoma (silver)... Parapan American Championship in Colorado (gold)… the World Organization for Volleyball Disabled (WOVD) World Cup in Egypt (gold). 2009 - U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Championship (Montreal)… Katie also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands). 2008 - Paralympics Games in Beijing (silver medal)... World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China (silver medal). 2006 Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Netherlands (fifth place). Katie has also played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Led U.S. Women to a 4-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters... Named tournament Most Valuable Player at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 – Named MVP and best spiker at the 2011 Parapan American Games where the team won gold...Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine... Named Most Valuable Player and best spiker of the tournament...

Katie competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team...

Helped lead the U.S. Women to four victories over the Shanghai club team in exhibition matches played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Led the team with 66 points, 47 kills and 13 aces… Was second on the team with blocks, tallying eight. 2010 - Awarded as the Best Offensive Player at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships where she posted 71 kills, 2.84 per set, good enough for team best. She also led the team in total points, 111, and averaged 4.44 points per set. Her 26 aces was the team-high and she added 14 blocks, 0.56 per set. She finished in second behind Millage in total dids with 42. 2009– Awarded along with

PERSONAL: Born Kathryn S. Holloway on June 8, 1986, in Everett, Wash. ... Parents are Jeff and Jane Holloway... Has a sister named Chelsey who played basketball at Seattle University...

Katie was born without a fibula in her right leg and, when she was 20 months old, her right foot and ankle were amputated...

Graduated from Lake Stevens High School in 2004... She competed in volleyball for two years (2000-02) and basketball for four (2000-04) in high school... She earned letters in both basketball and volleyball and was named First Team All-Wesco North League as a basketball center in 2003-04... Her basketball team won the district championship and competed in the state playoffs in 2002-03... College basketball teams recruited her without knowing she was wearing a prosthetic leg... Graduated from Cal State Northridge in 2008 with a degree in sociology... She played NCAA Division I basketball for Cal State Northridge from 2004-08... She was named to the All Big West Freshman Team in 2004-05... She was named Big West Sixth Woman of the Year in 2005-06 and 2006-07... As a senior, Averaged 14.5 points per game and 7.2 rebounds per game, led the Big West Conference in field goal percentage (.554), and was named second-team All-Big West... Appeared in Sports Illustrated's Faces in the Crowd feature in the June 9, 2008 issue... Enjoys scrapbooking... she listens to "a little bit of everything" on her IPod...Her favorite TV show is Friends... Her favorite athlete is Phil Dalhausser... Admires her grandfather Milo the most.

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 6 Heather Erickson Home: Fayetteville, N.C. Birth Year: 1993 Height: 6-0 Hometown: Fayetteville, N.C. Residence: Edmond, Okla.

School: Jack Britt High School

nament... Was second on the team in kills with 24 while leading the squad in aces with 11. Also added eight blocks... Started all five matches and played in all 17 sets for the U.S... Finished with double-digit points in three of the team's matches in Beijing.

PERSONAL: Born Heather Nicole Erickson on May 9, 1993, in Eureka, Calif. ... Parents are Kevin and Brenda Erickson... Has a brother named Kyle and a sister named Stephanie... Was born with a condition that prevented a bone in her lower right leg from developing fully. After 18 failed surgeries, she and her family opted to have her right foot amputated just above the ankle in 2002. A month later, when the swelling from her final surgery had subsided, Heather received her first prosthetic leg... Attended Jack Britt High School in Fayetteville and graduated in 2011...

Likes to listen to Maroon 5, Blake Shelton and He is We... Her favorite movies are Game Plan, Gridiron Gang and August Rush.... Her favorite TV shows are House and WWE Raw... She MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Mas- enjoys reading NIcholas Sparks books... In her free time, likes ters in The Netherlands (gold). 2011 - Parapan American Zonal coaching, reading, playing volleyball, watching movies, and playChampionships in Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold)... ECVD Continental ing video games... Role model is her sister Stephanie, "she helps Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine (gold). 2010 - Sitting Volleyball World me with everything, including volleyball skills and life issues." ...

Championships in Oklahoma (silver)... Parapan American Cham- Heather says about herself, "I pretty much live and breathe volpiolike nonship in Colorado (gold)… World Organization for Vol- leyball. I am always playing or thinking about volleyball." leyball Disabled (WOVD) World Cup in Egypt (gold). 2009 - U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Championship (Montreal)… Heather also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands).

2008 - Paralympic Games in Beijing (silver medal)... World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China (silver medal). Heather has also played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped the U.S. Women earn 4-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011– Named best server at the 2011 Parapan American Zonal Championships when the team won gold...Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine. 2010 – Helped the U.S. Women’s team defeat the Shanghai club team in four exhibition matches played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Ranked second on the team in points with 42 on 29 kills and five aces…

Led the team with eight blocks... Played in 24 sets over the course of the Sitting Volleyball World Championships where she tallied 37 "excellent" receptions, 1.04 per set, which was good enough to place her third amongst her team. She also was second in total kills with 39, 1.63 per set, and added 10 stuff blocks, 0.42 per set. Her 33 digs, 1.13 per set, placed her fourth among the U.S. Women. 2009: U.S. Women's Sitting Team awarded as Paralympians of the Year for 2008. 2008 - The youngest player on the U.S. team, Heather finished the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing with a silver medal... She was second on the team in scoring, finishing with 43 points in the tour-

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by USA Volleyball 11

2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 7 Monique Burkland Home: Ardmore, Okla.

Birth Year: 1989 Height: 6-0 School: Plainview High School (Ardmore, Okla.)

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands (gold). 2011- Parapan American Zonal Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold)... ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine (gold)... Competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team. 2010- Helped the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in winning silver at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Oklahoma.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to a 4 -0 record and gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 – Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine... Appeared in all four matches in the U.S. Women’s four exhibition victories over the Shanghai club team played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Tallied 16 points on seven kills… she tied for third on the team with six aces. 2010 – Appeared in five sets for the U.S. women and tallied three kills, five "excellent" receptions and one stuff block.

PERSONAL: Born Monique Marie Burkland on Aug. 11, 1989, in Reno, Nev. … Grandfather’s name is Ray Bachmeier and grandmother is Bev Bachmeier… Has an older brother named Josh (born in 1987) and a younger brother named Cody (born in 2000)… Attended Plainview High School in Ardmore, Okla., from 2004-08 where she was an all-state softball player. She also participated in track and basketball… Lost her left leg below the knee in an accident with a forklift while working at a summer job after graduating from high Copyright USA Volleyball school… After participating in an A2 sitting volleyball camp at the University of Central Oklahoma, Was added to the U.S. women’s roster for the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships at the last minute after starter Lora Webster was not medically cleared to play... Her favorite professional teams are the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Los Angeles Lakers... She enjoys hanging out with friends and family... She admires her grandparents the most because "they are strong and always there for me."

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 10 Kari Miller every match during the tournament as the team's libero.

Home: Washington, DC Birth Year: 1977 Height: 5-6 Residence: Edmond, Okla.

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 – Parapan American Zonal Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold)... ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine (gold) 2010- Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Oklahoma (silver)... Parapan American Championship in Colorado (gold)… World Organization for Volleyball Disabled (WOVD) World Cup in Egypt (gold). 2009- U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Championship (Montreal)… Kari also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands). 2008- Paralympic Games in Beijing (silver medal)... World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China (silver medal). 2006 - Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Netherlands (fifth place). Kari has also played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

PERSONAL: Born Kari LaRaine Miller on April 16, 1977, in Newark, N.J. ... Father is Nathaniel Peterson. Her mother is Mary C. Lanuze... has one brother named Michael Miller... Graduated from Cardoza Senior High School in Washington, DC, in 1995...

She competed in basketball and track during high school... Was serving in active military duty when a drunk driver collided with the car she was traveling in. The driver of her car was killed. Kari survived, but lost both her legs in the crash; one amputated above the knee, one below... Competed in wheelchair basketball before discovering sitting volleyball... She now trains with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, Okla. ... Hobbies include volunteering at an animal shelter, sky diving, rock climbing, horseback riding and jet skiing... Her favorite professional team is the Minnesota Vikings...Her favorite athlete is Adrian Peterson... She likes to listen to Neo Soul... Her favorite TV show is Heroes... Her role model is her mother... Says of herself, "I will try just about anything."

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped the U.S. Women to a 4-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 –Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine... Named best libero with 163 receptions, good for a seven-game average of 57 percent...Competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team... Led the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team defensively in its four exhibition victories over the Shanghai club team played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Ranked as team leader with 69 digs, averaging 79 percent “positive” and 59 percent “excellent.” 2010- Played in 25 sets for the U.S. Women at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships and was the team leader with her 50 "excellent" receptions, 2.00 per set. She also added 43 digs, 36 of which were considered "excellent", and averaged 1.44 digs per set, second best among the squad. 2009– Awarded along with team as the Paralympians of the Year for 2008- Key member of the U.S. squad that won the silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing... Started and played every set of

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 11 Allison Aldrich 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing... Ranked as the third-leading scorer on the U.S. side, finishing the tournament with 38 points... Was fourth on the team with 23 kills while finishing with seven blocks and eight aces... Started all five matches and play in all 17 sets of the Games... Was the U.S. team's leading scorer in a win over Latvia, as she totaled 13 points on six kills, six aces and one block.

Home: Schuyler, Neb. Birth Year: 1988 Hometown: Schuyler, Neb. Height: 5-10 Hometown: Schuyler, Neb. Residence: Lincoln, Neb. College: Nebraska Wesleyan University

PERSONAL: Allison Elizabeth Aldrich, born Jan. 19, 1988, in David City, Neb. ... Parents are Marvin and Peggy Aldrich... Aldrich lost her right leg when she was 7 years old due to osteosarcoma (bone cancer)... AGraduated from Schuyler Central High School in Nebraska in 2006... While in high school, she competed in volleyball, basketball, soccer and golf... She was named allconference in golf and academic all-conference... She was a member of the National Honor Society and won the Ron GusMAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Mas- tafson Inspirational Award... Majored in health and fitness studters in The Netherlands (gold). 2010 - WOVD World Champion- ies and K-12 physical education with a minor in coaching at Neship (Silver Medal)... Parapan American Championship (Gold braska Wesleyan University... She lettered in golf for two Medal). 2009 - Eurocup (Gold Medal). 2008 - Paralympic Games years... Works as a teacher... She enjoys coaching, teaching and in Beijing (Silver Medal)... World Organization Volleyball for lifting weights... Her favorite movies are Grease, Cinderella and Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze Enchanted... Her favorite book is The Sisterhood of the Travelmedal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China ing Pants... Her favorite professional teams are the Miami Dol(silver medal). 2006 - Sitting Volleyball World Championship in phins and Los Angeles Lakers... Her favorite athlete is Kobe BryNetherlands (fifth place). 2004 - Paralympic Games in Athens ant...She admires her mom the most because "she has been (bronze medal)... Allison has also played in several exhibition there for me through everything"... Says she has "courage and a matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team. will to succeed."

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to a 4-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011- Competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team... Helped the U.S. Women go 4-0 against the Shanghai club team played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver‌ Finished third on the team with 34 points on 25 kills. 2010 - Helped the U.S. Women win the silver medal and qualify for the 2012 Paralympic Games at the WOVD World Championships in Edmond, Okla. ... Finished with 19 aces over the course of 25 sets. She also finished third on the team with 29 kills, 1.16 per set, and tied for fourth among the U.S. blockers with 11 stuff blocks, 0.42 per set...

Helped U.S. Women to gold medal at the Parapan American Championship in Denver. Team defeated Canada and Brazil.

Played in 25 sets for the U.S. Women at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships where she finished with 29 kills, 1.16 per set, good enough for third place on the team. She also added 32 digs and second on the team with her 61 total points, 2.44 per set. 2009 - Helped the U.S. Women to a gold medal at the Eurocup in Roermond, Netherlands...Named Best Setter of the tournament. U.S. team defeated Netherlands in the final. U.S. Women also defeated Canadian team in matches in Denver and Canada. 2008 - Helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal at the

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 13 Nichole Millage tournament on 12 kills, eight blocks and three aces... Came in as a substitute in the semifinal match against the Netherlands and totaled eight kills and five blocks to lead the U.S. to the victory in five sets... Played in 12 of the 17 sets in Beijing.

Home: Champaign, Ill. Birth Year: 1977 Height: 5-7 Residence: Edmond, Okla.

College: University of Central Oklahoma

PERSONAL: Born Nichole Ann Millage on March 27, 1977, in Champaign, Ill. ... Parents are Dennis Millage and Philomena Schnepper. Her step-father is Dave Schnepper... Step-brother is Brett Schnepper. Hannah Millage is her half sister... Graduated from Centennial High School in Champaign in 1995. While in high school, she played volleyball and softball for all four years... Lost her left leg in a boating accident when she was 21... She discovered sitting volleyball while volunteering at a camp for disabled children... She graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma with a degree in business and human resources management in 2009... Nichole works as a waitress and bartender at the Oak Tree Country Club... Enjoys bike riding, sunbathing, reading and spending time with her friends... She enjoys listening to alternative music... Favorite foods are pizza, sushi and lobster... Among her favorite movies are Say Anything and She's Out of My League...Among her favorite TV shows are Scrubs, The Office and Nip/Tuck... Her favorite professional team is the Chicago Cubs...Clay Stanley is her favorite athlete... Role model is her mom "because she's such a good person. She's always there for me, no matter what, with unconditional love."

MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands (gold). 2011- Parapan American Zonal Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold). 2010- Sitting Volleyball World Championships in Oklahoma (silver)... Parapan American Championship in Colorado (gold)… World Organization for Volleyball Disabled (WOVD) World Cup in Egypt (gold). 2009- U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Championship (Montreal)… Nichole also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands).

2008 - Paralympic Games in Beijing (silver medal) World Organization Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in Shanghai China (silver medal). 2006 - Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Netherlands (fifth place). Nichole has also played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to a 4 -0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 – Helped the U.S. Women to a 7-0 record and a gold medal at the ECVD Continental Cup in Yevpatoria, Ukraine... Competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team...

Nichole helped the U.S. Women to four victories over the Shanghai club team in exhibition, played in conjunction with 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Ranked third on the team with 34 points on 22 aces… Recorded eight service aces, good for second on the team. 2010 - Played in 25 sets for the team at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships. At the event, she posted 28 kills, 1.12 per set, and five blocks, 0.50 per set. She was also the team leader in digs with 44, 1.48 per set, and finished fifth amongst the teams best point scorers with 46, 1.84 per set. 2009– Awarded along with team as the Paralympians of the Year for 2008... 2008-Was the sixth-leading scorer on the U.S. team that captured a silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing... Nichole finished with 23 points in the

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 14 Kaleo Kanahele Birth Year: 1996 Home: Oklahoma City, Okla.

Birth Year: 1996 Height: 5-7 Hometown: Oklahoma City, Okla.

High School: Edmond Santa Fe High School

American Zonal Championships where the team won gold. 2010 – Was the youngest player on the team, age 14, to compete for the U.S. at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships. She appeared in seven sets over the course of the Tournament and tallied one kill, 0.14 per set, and five service aces, 0.71 per set.

PERSONAL: Born Kaleo Okalani Kanahele on June 11, 1996, in Oklahoma City, Okla. … Parents are Iubile and Charla DyeKanahele… Has a brother named Johnathan Wong and a sister name Kau’i… Was born with a left clubfoot. The day after she was born, they started casting it into shape. The cast was changed every two weeks until she was nine months old. At this time it was decided to have reconstructive surgery where they would perform a tenotomy and put pins through the toe and heel to set the heel bone in place. Her toes turn inward, her foot will always be shorter and wider than the other, a small calf MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Mas- muscle, and she has limited flexibility… Has played volleyball ters in The Netherlands (gold). 2011- Parapan American Zonal since she was nine years old. At age 10 she started playing for Championship in Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold)... Competed with the Oklahoma Peak Performance 12s team in 2007, in 2008 the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches team took 42nd in the USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National against the Shanghai club team. 2010 - Helped the U.S. WomChampionships and in 2009 the team took 18th... Has played en's Sitting Team in winning silver at the Sitting Volleyball World basketball since age 7... Has also played softball since she was 8; Championships in Oklahoma... Contributor on the U.S. Women’s she was a first baseman for Oklahoma Reign who in 2009 took Sitting Team that won gold at the Parapan American Champion- 2nd at the NAFA 12 and under Nationals… Likes to read, listen to ship (Colorado). music and eat… Her favorite music group is Kings of Leon... She has never let her disability slow her down... At 16, she is the INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to a 4 youngest player on the U.S. Women's Sitting Volleyball Team...

-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Says to “work hard, go for your dreams and don’t ever believe Netherlands. 2011– Named best setter at the 2011 Parapan anyone that says you can’t do it.”

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2012 ATHLETE PROFILES: No. 15 Kendra Lancaster 2008. 2008– Helped lead the U.S. to a silver medal at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing... Scored 18 points in Beijing on 13 kills, three blocks and two aces... Started all five matches in the tournament while playing in 11 of the 17 sets... Tied for second on the team in points in a win against Lithuania. Finished the match with seven kills, two aces and one block.

Home: Westfield, Ind. Birth Year: 1987 Height: 5-7 Residence: West Lafayette, Ind. College: Purdue University

PERSONAL: Born Kendra Lynn Lancaster on Feb. 1, 1987, in Indianapolis, Ind. ... Parents are Kent and Karen Lancaster... Kendra has a sister, Kelsie... Born without a left arm, but played standing volleyball, soccer and basketball while growing up... Sitting volleyball is the first adapted sport in which she has participated... In 2004 at age 17, Kendra played with the women's U.S. Paralympic team that won a bronze medal in Athens... Graduated from Westfield Washington High School in Westfield, Ind., in MAJOR INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION: 2012 - Volleyball Mas- 2006... She played volleyball all four years... She was a member ters in The Netherlands (gold). 2010 - Helped the U.S. Women's of the National Honor Society and won the Excellence in JourSitting Team in winning silver at the Sitting Volleyball World nalism Award and the WHS Volleyball Shamrock Award... ReChampionships in Oklahoma... Parapan American Championship ceived her bachelor's degree in animal sciences from Purdue (Gold Medal)... WOVD World Cup (Gold Medal). 2009- U.S. University and is currently attending to get her master's deWomen’s Sitting Team won Parapan American Zonal Champion- gree... She is on track to graduate in 2010... Her favorite move is ship (Montreal)… also was a member of the U.S. Women’s Pride and Prejudice... Favorite TV shows are Lost and Grey's Sitting Team that won gold at the Eurocup (Netherlands) 2008 - Anatomy... Role model is her mother "because she is such a Paralympic Games in Beijing (silver medal)... World Organization strong person and has always been there for me... Describes Volleyball for Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup in Ismailia, herself as "outgoing, energetic and like to have fun no matter Egypt (bronze medal). 2007 - Sitting Volleyball Invitational in where I am or what I'm doing."

Shanghai China (silver medal). 2006 - Sitting Volleyball World Championship in Netherlands (fifth place). 2004 - Paralympic Games in Athens (bronze medal)...Played in several exhibition matches, both international and domestic, with the U.S. team.

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to 40 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The Netherlands. 2011 – Helped the U.S. Women defeat the Shanghai club team in four exhibition matches played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads on March 17-20 in Denver… Tallied four service aces to accumulate 15 points on seven kills.

2010 - Helped the U.S. Women to a gold medals at the Parapan American Championship in Denver and the WOVD World Cup in Port Said, Egypt. She also appeared in 24 sets at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships where she tallied 12 service aces, 0.50 per set, good enough for fourth place amongst the U.S. Women. She also tallied 20 kills, 0.83 per set, and 12 stuff blocks, 0.50, the team high. Her 44 total points, 1.38 per set, placed her amongst the team leaders. 2009 - Helped the U.S. Women to a gold medal at the Eurocup in Roermond, Netherlands. The U.S. Women beat Netherlands in the final... was awarded along with team as the Paralympians of the Year for

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2012 Paralympic Team Alternates PERSONAL: Born Bethany Paige Zummo on Feb. 15, 1993, in Oakland, Calif. … Parents are Joe and Kelly Zummo… Has two sisters who are twins: Hailey and Megan, both born in 1994…

Started playing volleyball in February 2006 when she played Home: Dublin, Calif. opposite and libero for Fallon Middle School… Attended Dublin Birth Year: 1993 High School from 2007-11… She started at the University of Height: 5-3 Central Oklahoma in 2011 and is majoring in psychology…

College: University of Central Bethany was born without her right fibula. When she was 2, Oklahoma she had surgery to amputate her foot and she has had a prosthetic leg ever since… Happiest moment in life was hiking six miles through The Narrows in Utah with her family… Enjoys singing and sewing. Her story of how she got started sewing: “Right before homecoming my sophomore year, my mom got my progress report and I didn’t have the best. She told me she wouldn’t buy me a new dress for the dance; that I’d have to wear one I already owned. I didn’t want to do that. So instead, I INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2012 - Helped U.S. Women to a 4 cut up my bed sheets and made a dress of my own. I didn’t real-0 record and a gold medal at the Volleyball Masters in The ize I was good at sewing until then. Since then, I’ve made every Netherlands. 2011 – Parapan American Zonal Championship in homecoming and prom dress, and I don’t plan on stopping.” …

Sao Paulo, Brazil (gold)... Made her U.S. Women’s Sitting team Bethany’s favorite food is pasta… She loves her puppies Bubba debut in exhibition against the Shanghai club team… matches Chooch and Buddy… Her favorite musical artists are Taylor Swift were played in conjunction with the 2011 Colorado Crossroads and Miranda Lambert… Her most admired people are her paron March 17-20 in Denver… Competed in three of the four team ents, “My parents have helped and supported me throughout victories over Shanghai, recording four digs, 75 percent my entire life.” “positive” and 75 percent “excellent. Competed with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team.

Bethany Zummo

Angela DeHaan Home: Yuba City, California Birth Year: 1994 Height: 5-10

Cassie and Staci... Sister, Cassie was offered a full ride to play volleyball at Weber State University in Utah... Was born with half of her left hand which she says, “makes her who I am today”... Angela graduated from Sutter High School in 2012... Her favorite food is chocolate... Her favorite book is A Child Called It… Angela enjoys listening to all types of music… Favorite hobbies include ceramics, sleeping and sitting volleyball… Happiest moment was going to San Luis Obispo with her family…Her most admired person is her brother, Kenneth, “he was born deaf and he has accomplished so much in his life such as travel all around the world, graduated with a AA degree, bachelors degree, masters degree and is now studying for his PHD.”

INTERNATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS: 2011- Parapan American Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil... Cmpeted with the U.S. Women's Sitting Team in China in four exhibition matches against the Shanghai club team.

PERSONAL: Born Angela Nicole DeHaan on Oct. 14, 1994, in Yuba City, Calif. ... Parents are Joseph and Janice DeHaan... Has an older brother named Kenneth and two older sisters named 18

Head Coach Bill Hamiter able to win the gold medal in the world championships and also (at the 2012 Paralympics) in England,” Hamiter said. “Part of that is developing a good program base so that we can continue to reach excellence and a high level of play consistently.”

Hamiter graduated from Southern Nazarene University with a degree in Religion/Philosophy, and received his master’s degree from Southern Nazarene in Education-Kinesiology. He has had a long and successful coaching career, with experience at every level of competition.

Hamiter was the head coach at Southern Nazarene University from 1986-91, where he led the Crimson Storm to two national tournament appearances, two regional championships, and five district championships. He was named District 9 Coach of the Year five times.

From 1998-2005, Hamiter was an assistant coach at the University of Central Oklahoma where the Bronchos were three-time Bill Hamiter was named USA Volleyball's head coach and high North Division Champions and qualified for the NCAA Tournaperformance director for the U.S. Sitting Volleyball Teams, ment in 2002. based at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) in Edmond, He coached volleyball at Heritage Hall High School from 2006 to in June of 2009.

2008, leading the team to three state championships and being named Oklahoma Volleyball Coach of the year in 2008.

As the program director, he manages USA Volleyball’s Paralym- Hamiter is one of the founders and club director of Oklahoma pic program. Among his duties are player recruitment and Peak Performance, Inc. and a founder of the Oklahoma Wind coaching development as well as setting up competitive oppor- Volleyball Club. He has served as the Oklahoma Region’s junior tunities for the teams. coordinator and as the USA Volleyball Junior Elite Development Commission chairman.

He will work closely with Elliot Blake, the sitting volleyball coordinator at UCO. Hamiter lives in Bethany, Okla., with his wife, Marcy, and daughters Olivia and Avery.

“I am very humbled to be hired for this new position and honored to be working with two great organizations such as the Copyrighted by USA Volleyball University of Central Oklahoma and USA Volleyball,” Hamiter said.

“We are excited to have Bill join USAV as a full-time staff member,” said USA Volleyball CEO Doug Beal. “We view his hiring as a positive step forward in our support of our Paralympic program.

“With two full-time employees at UCO dedicated to the sitting volleyball teams, we look for them to continue and build on their past success.”

The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won the silver medal at the 2008 Paralympics and the bronze in 2004. The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team won the gold medal at the 2003 Parapan American Games and a berth at the 2004 Paralympics. The team took silver at the 2007 Parpan Am Games.

“Ultimately, the goal is to put (both teams) in a position to be

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Assistant Coach Cara Lang Assistant Coach Cara Lang began playing volleyball in 1990.

She currently lives in Dayton, Minn. Lang graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2005 with a degree in Statistics. During her collegiate career, Lang ranked second in digs in SCSU history. Lang’s happiest moment in life was when her son was born. Cara began coaching at South Dakota State University in 2005. Lang was hired as the team statistician and second assistant coach by the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team. She was a part of the 2008 USA Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team that won silver at the Beijing Paralympics before starting Club Liberty Volleyball in Monticello, Minnesota in 2010. Her most recent medal with the women’s sitting volleyball team was a gold at the European Masters in the Netherlands.

Team Leader Cecile Reynaud Cecile Reynaud was the Head Women’s Volleyball Coach at Florida State University from 1976-2001 where her teams won seven conference titles and appeared in 13 National Championship Tournaments. Reynaud has international experience in volleyball serving as an Assistant Coach for the USA World University Games Team, as the Head Coach of the USA Junior National Team, and the USA High Performance Continental Teams. She also held the position of Deputy Competition Manager for Volleyball at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. She has served on the USA Volleyball Board of Directors & Executive Committee, and is a past president of the American Volleyball Coaches Association. She is currently serving on that board as the Education and Publications committee chair. She graduated from Southwest Missouri State University in 1975 and received her master’s degree from Florida State University in 1979. She earned her doctorate at Florida State University in Sport Management in 1998.

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Statistician Elliot Blake Elliot Blake first emerged onto the USA Volleyball staff scene in 2008 as the Sitting Volleyball Coordinator. He is currently serving as the Statistician for USA Sitting Volleyball Teams and has done so since June 2011. Blake worked as the Competition Director at the WOVD 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships and also as a WOVD Jury Delegate at the 2011 Guadalajara Parapan American Games. Blake received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education form Florida International University in 2003. He then earned his Masters of Science in Sport Management from Florida State University in 2007. Blake has been very involved in coaching at the high school and college level, as well as working as a volleyball referee. He currently resides in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Athletic Trainer Brian Choate Brian Choate is the Athletic Trainer for the 2012 Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team. He graduated from Lambuth University with a Bachelors degree of Health and Physical Education with the emphasis of Athletic Training in 2000. Choate currently resides in Edmond, Okla. The happiest moment in Brian’s life was when he proposed to his wife. Choate has worked with the USA Sitting Volleyball teams since 2007 and became the head athletic trainer for both men’s and women’s programs in 2009. He is also currently a clinical instructor to first year Athletic Training graduate students from the University of Central Oklahoma. Choate also serves as the head athletic trainer for Edmond Santa Fe High School. In March 2011, Brian was awarded the Humanitarian Award for HCA hospitals in the state of Oklahoma.

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2012 London Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Schedule Times are in local time in London and in (Pacific Standard Time).

Friday, Aug. 31 9 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool A GBR vs UKR 4 p.m. (10 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool B CHN vs USA 7 p.m. (1 p.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool A NLD vs JPN

Saturday, Sept. 1 9 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool B CHN vs BRA 4 p.m. (10 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool A GBR vs NLD 7 p.m. (1 p.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool B USA vs SVN

Sunday, Sept. 2 11:00 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool A NLD vs UKR 4:00p.m. (8 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool B SVN vs BRA 7:00 p.m. (11 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool A GBR vs JPN

Monday, Sept. 3 9 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool B CHN vs SVN 4 p.m. (10 a.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool A UKR vs JPN 7 p.m. (1 p.m. CST) Women's Preliminaries Pool B USA vs BRA

Tuesday, Sept. 4 7 a.m. (1 a.m. CST) Women's Semifinals 5-8 Classification 3B vs 4A 9 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women’s Semifinals 5-8 Classification 3A vs 4B

Wednesday, Sept. 5 4 p.m. (10 a.m. CST) Women's Semifinal 1A vs 2B 7 p.m. (1 p.m. CST) Women's Semifinals 2A vs 1B

Thursday, Sept. 6 9 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women's Final 7-8 Classification 11 a.m. (5 a.m. CST) Women's Final 5-6 Classification

Friday, Sept. 7 7 a.m. (1 a.m. CST) Women's Final Bronze Medal Match 9 a.m. (3 a.m. CST) Women's Final Gold Medal Match 10:45 a.m. (4:45 a.m. CST) Women's Medal Ceremony

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2012 Sitting Volleyball Pools

Pool A

Pool B

Great Britain

United States

Japan

Brazil

The Netherlands

China

Ukraine

Slovenia 23

The Host City: London

The Venue: ExCeL

The 2012 London Sitting Volleyball competition will be held in ExCeL South Arena 2 from Aug. 30– Sept. 8.

ExCeL is the largest competition venue at the London 2012 Games. It is made up of five different arenas, each of which will host a different sport at London 2012. Capacity ranges from 6,000-10,000 in each of the five arenas.

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2008 Paralympics in Review U.S. WOMEN'S SITTING VOLLEYBALL TEAM UNABLE TO CONTAIN CHINA, SETTLES FOR SILVER AT PARALYMPIC GAMES Copy by University of Central Oklahoma

The second set began similar to the first with the teams playing evenly and the U.S. taking the lead with a score of 7-5. China then took control and went on a 6-0 run and the U.S. could never get past the initial run.

EDMOND, Okla. (Sept. 15, 2008)- Before a crowd of over 5,500, the 2004 Paralympic Games gold medalists China secured their second consecutive Paralympic gold medal by defeating the U.S. in straight sets (25-14, 25-19, 25-15) in the Women's Sitting Volleyball final match on Sunday, September 14 at the Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.

In the third and final set after a tied score of three, the U.S. played in the deficit the remainder of the game. China came out with strong hits and fast movement on the court; ready to claim their gold medal once more. When China led 21-15, they scored four unanswered points to finish the set 25-15 and claim the title for a second time.

Team USA fought with all of their courage and energy to try to upset favorite China, but numerous errors for the U.S. team, combined with star China player Sheng Yuhong's 28 points, were too much for the U.S. to overcome.

"Playing the former gold medal team in their home country that is a once in a lifetime opportunity," commented Assistant Coach Denise Van deWalle (Bowling Green, Ohio). "We have improved a lot and we've come so far but we were simply outplayed today. It was just not our day."

"It wasn't the match we wanted to play," said Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz./Edmond, Okla.).

"But we worked extremely hard to get here and there is still nothing like having a medal hang around your neck."

With tears streaming down her face, 15-year old Erickson, the youngest member of the team commented, "I wanted to win so badly. I think that we didn't execute our plan and we had a lot of unforced errors. But I am going to keep playing and hopefully come back in four years and beat them."

Team USA was led by Team Captain Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.), along with other starters Webster, Katie Hol- Holloway once again led the team in scoring with eight points earned on five kills, two blocks and one ace. Webster contributloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./Edmond, Okla.), Kendra Lancaster (Sheridan, Ind.), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Allison ed six points and Maymon had five.

Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.). Kari Miller (Washington, D.C./Edmond, Okla.) served as Libero.

The U.S. scored the first point of the first set with a powerful kill

by Maymon. The set remained close and after the first technical time-out the score was tied at eight. China then began to pull away but the U.S. marched right back until China called a time-out with the U.S. trailing by two (1412). After the time-out, it was all China and the U.S. only managed to score two more points in the entire set. Team USA committed 13 hitting errors in the first set and struggled to keep the ball in play with their serves.

Courtesy of U.S. Paralympics

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2012 U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Season in Review Volleyball Masters (GOLD) DATE SITE 5-31 Netherlands 6-1 Netherlands 6-2 Netherlands 6-2 Netherlands

OPPONENT Ukraine Netherlands Slovenia Ukraine

Shanghai Exhibition Matches DATE SITE OPPONENT 7-12 Shanghai, China China 7-12 Shanghai, China Ukraine 7-13 Shanghai, China China 7-13 Shanghai, China Ukraine 7-14 Shanghai, China China 7-14 Shanghai, China Ukraine

RESULT W (25-5, 25-14, 25-17) W (25-23, 25-11, 23-25, 23-25, 15-13) W (1526-24, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21) W (20-25, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19)

RESULT L (25-18, 25-17, 25-27, 21-25, 15-13) W (27-25, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24) L (25-16, 25-20, 27-25) L (17-25, 25-21, 25-20, 25-20) L (25-12, 26-24, 25-22) L (25-19, 26-24, 25-23)

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U.S. Women’s Sitting Gold at Masters, Holloway MVP COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 3, 2012) -The U.S. Women’s In the Championship match, Team USA out-hit Ukraine 39-24 Sitting Volleyball Team captured first place at the 2012 edition of kills and out-blocked them with 17 to their 12. Ukraine won the the Volleyball Masters on Saturday in The Netherlands. serving battle with 13 aces to Team USAs 12 aces.

Team USA defeated Slovenia, 26-24, 23-25, 25-23, 25-21 to proceed to the championship match where it defeated Ukraine, 2025, 25-19, 25-16, 25-19. Standout, Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete) was named tournament Most Valuable Player.

Starting the match was Holloway and Erickson at outside, Burkland and Aldrich at the middle, Maymon and Millage at setter, and Miller as the Libero. In the second set Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.) replaced Maymon and Webster replaced Aldrich.

Team USA finished with a perfect 4-0 record in the tournament with previous wins over Ukraine, 25-5, 25-14, 25-17 and The Netherlands, 25-23, 25-11, 23-25, 23-25, 15-13.

Holloway was again the lead scorer for Team USA with 18 points off of 14 kills, two blocks and two service aces. Erickson again followed, posting 15 points from seven kills, five blocks and three aces. Burkland charted 13 points from six kills, five blocks and two service aces.

“We had to fight for each point in both matches today,” Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) said. “I was very pleased with our execution and drive to compete. The depth of our team paid off huge dividends today as players were subbed freely to give us needed energy and execution. I was especially proud of the way our youngest player, Kaleo Kanahele, came off the bench in the second set of the championship match to set a marvelous match. We had players step up to the challenge when we needed it.”

Millage chalked four kills, four blocks and an ace while Kanahele connected on three aces and three kills. Also scoring for Team USA was Webster who charted five points off of three kills and a block and an ace while Maymon connected on two kills.

In the Slovenia match the U.S. Women out-hit their opponent 48 -37 kills and out-served 16-7 aces.

Starting the match was Holloway and Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete) at outside, Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Okla./UCO Resident Athlete) and Allie Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.) at middle and Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./UCO Resident Athlete) and Brenda Maymon (Charlestown, Ind.) at setter and Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) at Libero. In the second set, Aldrich was replaced by Lora Webster (Phoenix, Ariz.) and Millage by Brenda Maymon at setter.

Maymon also was utilized in the middle during the third set.

Holloway led the team with 23 points on 17 kills, 4 blocks and two service aces followed by Erickson who contributed 19 points from 12 kills, four aces and three blocks. Maymon and Burkland both contributed nine points with Maymon posting six kills, two blocks and an ace while Burkland connected on four service aces, four kills and a block.

Aldrich tallied six points off of three aces, two kill and a block while millage chalked six from four kills and two aces. Kanahele charted four points off of three kills and a block and Webster contributed two points from two blocks.

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Copyrighted by USA Volleyball

2012 U.S. Paralympic Sitting Volleyball Nominees Set COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (June 11, 2012) -USA Volleyball is pleased to announce the athlete and staff nominations for the 2012 U.S. Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team.

The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team, ranked second in the world by the World Organization for Volleyball Disabled (WOVD), won the 2004 Paralympic bronze medal and the 2008 Paralympic silver medal under then head coach Mike Hulett, who was awarded USA Volleyball’s highest honor as the Harold T. Friermood ‘Frier’ award recipient at the 2012 Boyce Awards Banquet on May 24 in Dallas.

Pending approval from the U.S. Olympic Committee, the nominated athletes and staff will represent the United States at the 2012 Paralympic Games on Aug. 29-Sept. 9 in London.

U.S. Paralympic Women’s Sitting Team Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) has nominated Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.), Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Okla./University of Central Oklahoma Resident Athlete), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete), Michelle Gerlosky-Schiffler (Lake Wales, Fla./ UCO Resident Athlete), Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./ UCO Resident Athlete), Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.), Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.), Brenda Maymon-Jensen (Charlestown, Ind.), Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./UCO Resident Athlete), Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) and Lora Webster (Phoenix, Ariz.). Lancaster will serve as team captain.

In July of 2010, the women captured the silver medal at the 2010 WOVD Sitting Volleyball World Championship earning it a trip to the 2012 Paralympics in London.

Alternates for the team will be Angela DeHaan (Yuba City, Calif.) and Bethany Zummo (Dublin, Calif./UCO Resident Athlete).

The team has one more pre-Paralympic Games tournament scheduled for July 12-15 in China where it will play both China and Japan before it will head to London to battle for the program’s first-ever Paralympic gold.

Eight athletes will return from the 2008 U.S. Paralympic Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team that won the silver medal in Beijing: Aldrich, Erickson, Holloway, Maymon-Jensen, Webster, Millage, Miller and Lancaster.

The team suffered a devastating blow in May 2011 when Lancaster, who had just been named team captain, suffered injuries in a head-on car accident in Morgan Country, Ind. Lancaster, 24, was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition. But after a year of recovery, she returned to the team for its recent trip to Netherlands where it won the DELA Trophy 2012.

U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Name (Hometown) Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.) Monique Burkland (Ardmore, Okla./UCO Resident Athlete) Aldrich, Maymon-Jensen, Webster and Lancaster are making their third Paralympic appearance as they also competed at the Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete) 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens, where the United States won Michelle Gerlosky-Schiffler (Lake Wales, Fla./UCO Resident Athlete) the bronze medal.

Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete) Burkland, Gerlosky-Schiffler and Kanahele will look to make their Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.)

Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) Paralympic debuts.

Brenda Maymon-Jensen (Charlestown, Ind.) Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) Joining Hamiter on the staff for London will be assistant coach Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./UCO Resident Athlete) Cara Lang, team leader Cecile Reynaud, athletic trainer Brian Lora Webster (Phoenix, Ariz.)

Choate and statistician Elliot Blake.

Copyrighted by USA Volleyball

Alternates Bethany Zummo (Dublin, Calif./UCO Resident Athlete) Angela DeHaan (Yuba City, Calif.)

Staff Head Coach: Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.)

Assistant Coach: Cara Lang (Sartell, Minn.)

Statistician: Elliot Blake Athletic Trainer: Brian Choate Team Leader: Cecile Reynaud

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2010 U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Season in Review Parapan American Championships (GOLD) DATE SITE OPPONENT 3-6 Denver, Colo. Brazil 3-7 Denver , Colo. Canada 3-8 Denver, Colo. Brazil

RESULT W (25-18, 25-11, 25-15) W (25-13, 25-9, 25-14 ) W (25-15, 25-14, 25-18)

WOVD World Cup (GOLD) DATE SITE 3-21 Egypt 3-22 Egypt 3-22 Egypt 3-23 Egypt 3-24 Egypt 3-25 Egypt

RESULT W (22-25, 22-25, 25-15, 25-23, 15-11) W (25-19, 25-12, 25-13 ) W (25-12, 25-17, 25-17) W (25-9, 25-8, 25-5) W (25-14, 25-18, 25-8) W (25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19)

OPPONENT Netherlands Slovenia Russia Egypt Russia Netherlands

Sitting Volleyball World Championships (SILVER) DATE SITE OPPONENT RESULT 4-11 UCO Germany W (25-10, 20-25, 25-14, 25-16) 4-12 UCO Japan W (25-10, 25-14, 25-9) 4-13 UCO Lithuania W ( 25-21, 25-8, 25-12) 4-13 UCO Canada W (25-16, 25-7, 25-14) 4-14 UCO Netherlands W (25-16, 25-11, 25-12) 4-16 UCO Russia W (25-13, 25-19, 25-19) 4-17 UCO Netherlands W (25-12, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18) 4-18 UCO China L (25-18, 25-20, 25-15)

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U.S. Women Win Parapan Am Championship DENVER, Colo. (March 8, 2010) – The second verse was the same as the first for the U.S. Men’s and Women’s Sitting Volleyball Teams on Monday at the Parapan American Championships at the Colorado Convention Center.

Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) played as a substitute.

U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) started Maymon, Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz.), Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.), Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.) and Nicole Millage (Champaign, Ill.). Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) started at libero.

“Brazil was a much improved team. They served and passed much better than Saturday,” Hamiter said. “They put pressure on us. I don’t know that we always executed our plays exactly the way we wanted to. But all of our players did a great job.

When you win, you’ve got to be pleased.”

The United States got a quick start in the first set as a Brazilian serving error tied the score at 2-2 and gave Maymon the serve.

She served Team USA to a 6-2 lead, including an ace and kills by The U.S. Sitting Women’s Team won its part of the tournament Holloway and Millage, and Brazil was never able to close the gap with its second straight victory over Brazil, 25-15, 25-14, 25-18. to more than a two-point difference. When Brazil did pull to The U.S. Men lost their second match of the competition to Bra- within two points at 12-10, Erickson got the serve and scored zil, 16-25, 16-25, 21-25 and finished second to the South Ameri- the next four straight points to give the United States a 16-10 cans. Canada placed third in both the men’s and women’s brack- lead at the second technical timeout (TTO). ets.

In the second set, Brazil had a 7-6 lead when the United States Brazil qualified both its teams for the 2010 Sitting Volleyball used a kill to tie the score and take back the serve. Holloway World Championships on July 11-18 in Edmond, Okla. The U.S. served for the next nine points, including three aces, to give teams have already qualified for Worlds by virtue of hosting.

Team USA the 15-7 lead and the U.S. Women cruised to the set victory.

The women’s match opened the final day of the tournament, which was held in conjunction with the Colorado Crossroads But Brazil was not ready to go down quietly. The South Ameritournament and drew 100-150 spectators at a time. cans led 8-7 at the first TTO and later led 11-9. The United States tied the score at 11s on a kill and Brazil error. After Brazil went ahead 12-11, Holloway got the serve and used two straight aces Although the U.S. Women had already beaten Brazil pretty to put the United States ahead. She served for two more points handily on Saturday, 25-18, 25-11, 25-15, U.S. Team Captain to give the U.S. Women as 15-12 lead. Brazil cut the lead to one Brenda Maymon (Sellersburg, Ind.) said they didn’t have any at 18-17, but Erickson served for six points, including an ace, to trouble getting motivated for Monday’s match. give the United States match point at 24-17. Brazil held the U.S. Women off for one more point before Erickson ended the match “I think we always come in with the mindset of winning,” she with a kill. said. “We do a good job motivating each other.”

Copyrighted by USA Volleyball 30

U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Wins World Cup COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (March 25, 2010) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team won the WOVD (World Organization for Volleyball Disabled) World Cup in Port Said, Egypt, after defeating Netherlands, 3-1 (25-20, 25-17, 20-25, 25-19), in the gold medal match on Thursday.

The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, ranked No. 2 in the world, finished the tournament with a 6-0 record and lost only three sets, all to Netherlands.

The U.S. Men's Sitting Team finished the tournament with a 2519, 25-11, 25-9 sweep of Algeria and a record of 2-5.

Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.) again led the U.S. Women with 26 points. Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) added 14.

Although Netherlands served aggressively, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team dominated at the net, hitting and blocking with high efficiency.

(Sellersburg, Ind.), Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill.) and Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) at libero. Gina McWilliams (The Colony, Texas) started the third set for Holloway.

The U.S. Men’s Sitting Team was paced by three different players with hitting percentages over 0.600: Brent Rasmussen (Omaha, Neb.) with 0.636, Edgar Laforest (San Juan, Puerto Rico) with 0.667 and Roderick Green (Monroe, La.) with 0.667.

As a team, the United States hit 0.454; its best of the tournament.

“The team really rallied today for a great win to finish off the tournament moving into worlds,” said Rasmussen, the U.S. Men’s team captain. “We gained some great experience in tough matches to know what it takes to overcome adversity."

The United States will host the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships on July 11-17 at the University of Central Okla"Apart of a few unforced errors, we played well as a team partic- homa in Edmond, Okla. ularly in transition" Holloway said.

“This was great experience for the whole team as we look forU.S. Women’s Sitting Team Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, ward to world championships in the U.S.,” said U.S. Men’s Sitting Okla.) started Holloway, Lancaster, Heather Erickso (Fayetteville, Team Head Coach Edgar Miraku (Elbasan, Albania). “We feel this N.C.), Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz.), Brenda Maymon tournament helped prepare us mentally and physically.”

Copyrighted by USA Volleyball

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U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Qualifies for 2012 Paralympics EDMOND, Okla. (July 17, 2010) – It’s one goal down and a gold medal match to go for the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team, which qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London on Saturday as it defeated Netherlands, 3-1 (25-12, 23-25, 25-20, 25-18) on Saturday in the semifinals of the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO).

The U.S. Women’s Team improved to 7-0 in the tournament and will face China (7-0) in the gold medal match at 3 p.m. CT on Sunday on Court 1 of the Hamilton Field House at UCO.

aces to Netherlands’ 13.

The United States swept Netherlands, 25-16, 25-11, 25-12, in its final pool play match on Wednesday. After the first set on Saturday, when Team USA had nine aces, it looked like it would be another U.S. blowout.

But Netherlands found its serve in the second set.

“They were smart with their serving,” Miller said. “They didn’t serve it right at us like they did last match. They must have watched the video.”

The gold medal match will renew a rivalry that began at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing when China defeated the U.S. Women twice, once in pool play and again in the gold medal match. No matter who wins on Sunday, it will be the best finish ever for the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team at a World Championship.

Hamiter responded with lineup changes to help improve the United States’ service reception and the U.S. Women won the next two sets.

“Now that we’ve qualified, I would expect our players won’t feel Hamiter started Maymon, Holloway, Erickson, Aldrich, Millage, as much pressure (against China),” said U.S. Women’s Sitting Lancaster and Miller at libero. Gerlosky played as a substitute.

Team Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.).

“We don’t have to option to let down,” U.S. libero Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) said. “We want to win a gold medal and China is standing in the way of that.”

Copyrighted by USA Volleyball Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.) led all scorers with 19 points on a match-high 13 kills (0.32 hitting percentage), two blocks and four aces. Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.) added 11 points on five kills (0.36 hitting percentage), two blocks and four aces.

Brenda Maymon (Sellersburg, Ind.) totaled nine points on three kills, four blocks and two aces. Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.) added nine points on four kills, one block and four aces. Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) contributed seven points on three kills and four blocks.

Nichole Millage (Champagne, Ill.) had six points on five kills and one block. Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.) had one point on an ace.

Miller led the team in receptions with 21, 76 percent positive and 71 percent excellent. She had only one error.

The U.S. attack percentage was 0.26, Netherlands’ was 0.24.

The U.S. Women out-blocked Netherlands, 14-7. The U.S. had 15

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U.S. Women’s Team Takes Silver at Worlds Katie Holloway was named the tournament’s Best Spiker while Kari Miller was named Best Libero. The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team finished second in the tournament and qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

EDMOND, Okla. (July 18, 2010) – After driving through the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships with relative ease, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball ran into a roadblock called China in the gold medal match and fell 25-18, 25-20, 25-15 on Sunday at the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO).

The U.S. Women’s Team won the silver medal and finished the tournament with a match record of 7-1 and a set record of 21-5.

China finishes at 8-0 and a set record of 24-1. With the secondplace finish, the U.S. Women's Sitting Team qualified for the 2012 Paralympic Games on Aug. 29-Sept. 9 in London.

Copyrighted by USA Volleyball The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team played well at times during the match, but didn’t keep up a consistent attack against China.

called timeout, but China could not be frozen and scored four straight points for the set victory.

“We did do some things we wanted to do when we were in sys- The second set started much closer with the U.S. taking its first tem,” U.S. Women’s Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) lead of the match at 4-3 on an ace by Holloway, who had also said. “We knew (China’s Yuhong Sheng) would get her swings… scored for the U.S. on a block. A tip from Erickson increased the When we were in-system and getting our swings, they weren’t lead to 5-3 before came back with four straight points, including picking up on it.” three aces from Sheng, to lead, 7-5. China’s hitting error sparked a four-point U.S. run, including an Erickson spike and Hamiter started Brenda Maymon (Sellersburg, Ind.), Katie HolLancaster ace, to lead 9-7. China re-took the lead at 10-9 and loway (Lake Stevens, Wash.), Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, the two teams traded points. When China grabbed a 14-12 lead N.C.), Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.), Nichole Millage on a kill and a U.S. error, Team USA came back with two straight (Champaign, Ill.), Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) and Kari points on a Chinese error and an attack by Holloway. But China Miller (Washington, D.C.) at libero. came back with two straight points to lead 16-14 at the second TTO, and scored once more when it won a joust at the next to Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.) and Alex Gouldie (St. Paul, lead 17-14. The U.S. scored on a kill by Lancaster and block by Neb.) played as substitutes.

Holloway, but China ended the run with a kill and the U.S. never tied the score again. With China leading 20-18, Millage scored China jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first set before the U.S. with a kill. China returned the favor and then scored the next Women could score their first point on a Holloway kill. China led three points to reach set point at 24-19. The U.S. held off the 8-3 at the second technical timeout (TTO) and increased that to loss with Erickson’s tip, but Sheng finished the set with a kill for 11-3 before the U.S. scored on a double block by Erickson and China.

Millage. China scored again before Aldrich got a kill that sparked a 5-0 U.S. run behind Millage’s serving. With the gap closed to China grabbed an 8-2 lead at the first TTO of the third set, with 12-8, China called timeout and the run ended on a service error. the U.S. scoring China errors. China increased the lead to 11-2 China scored again, but then was called for a lift. Erickson got before Millage was able to score a point for the U.S. when China the serve and scored on an ace. The U.S. scored three more let her serve return fall. Erickson scored with an ace and the points, including a Maymon kill, to pull to within two points at U.S. Women scored five more points on two China errors, a 14-12. China got a block, but then hit the ball out and Aldrich block by Maymon and two more Erickson aces to pull to within served for two points on an ace and an attack by Holloway to tie three at 12-9. However, that was the last run of more than two the score at 15-15. A service error gave China the 16-15 lead at points that the U.S. could muster. China led 16-10 at the second the second TTO, but Holloway tied it again by blocking the TTO. Holloway made it 16-11 with a kill, but China went on a serve. China got a kill to take the serve for Sheng, who scored run of four points to make it 20-12 and the damage was done. on two straight aces to help the Chinese increase the lead to 19- Trailing 22-14, Team USA scored its final point of the match on 16. The two teams traded kills, with the U.S. scoring on kills by Erickson’s tip. China scored the final three points, including the Millage and Lancaster, until China’s lead was 21-18. Hamiter final ace, to win the match.

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USA Volleyball Names its Teams of the Year COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 13, 2010) – USA Volleyball has The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team finished the World Championannounced its teams of the year for the 2010 season. ships, which were held July 11-18 in Edmond, Okla., with a match record of 7-1 and a set record of 21-5. Katie Holloway Phil Dalhausser and Todd Rogers comprise the Beach Team of (Lake Stevens, Wash.) was named the tournament’s Best Spiker the Year. The U.S. Women’s National Team has been named the while Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) was named Best Libero.

Indoor Team of the Year. The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team opened 2010 by defeating Brazil Team has been named the U.S. Sitting Team of the Year. and Canada to win the Parapan American Championships on Dalhausser/Rogers and the U.S. Women’s National Team will be March 6-8 in Denver, Colo. It then traveled to Port Said, Egypt, nominated for the United States Olympic Committee Team of where it won the WOVD World Cup, finishing with a 6-0 record the Year. The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team will be nominated for and losing only three sets along the way, all to Netherlands Paralympic Team of the Year.

The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team capped off a successful summer with a silver medal at Photo: John Armuth The U.S. Women's Sitting Team waits to receive its silver medals at the 2010 World Championships. the Sitting Volleyball World Championships, which qualified the team for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

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2011 U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Season in Review Shanghai Club Series DATE SITE 3-18 Denver, Colo.

3-19 Denver, Colo.

3-19 Denver, Colo.

3-20 Denver, Colo.

OPPONENT Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai

RESULT W (25-18, 21-25, 25-12, 25-16) W (25-20, 25-15, 25-16) W (15-25, 30-28, 22-25, 25-21, 17-15) W (25-19, 23-25, 25-21, 25-14)

HIGH SCORER Holloway (14) Erickson (11) Holloway (25) Holloway (20)

Tour of Shanghai DATE SITE 6-9 Shanghai, China 6-10 Shanghai, China 6-11 Shanghai, China

OPPONENT Shanghai Shanghai Shanghai

RESULT W (16-25, 17-25, 25-10, 25-11, 17-15) L (27-25, 25-23, 18-25, 26-24) W (20-25, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23)

HIGH SCORER Holloway (27) Holloway (25) Holloway (27)

EVCD Continental Cup Yekatoriya, Ukraine (Gold Medal) DATE OPPONENT RESULT 9-5 Russia W (15-25, 24-26, 25-19, 25-21, 19-17) 9-5 Ukraine W (25-18, 25-21, 21-15, 25-23) 9-6 Slovenia W (-17, 25-19, 20-25, 25-27, 16-14) 9-6 Brazil W (25-13, 27-25, 25-4) 9-7 Netherlands W (25-19, 26-24, 25-18) 9-8 Great Britain W (25-9, 25-13, 25-15) 9-9 Slovenia W (25-20, 25-15, 25-11) 9-10 Ukraine W (25-20, 25-23, 25-22) Parapan American Zonal Championships DATE OPPONENT RESULT 9-28 Canada W (25-9, 25-20, 25-22) 9-29 Colombia W (25-0, 25-2, 25-3) 9-29 Brazil W (25-17, 25-20, 25-15 9-30 Colombia W (25-0, 25-0, 25-1) 10-1 Brazil W (25-13, 25-12, 25-15)

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Women’s Sitting Team Gold at ECVD, Members Named ‘Best’ COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 13, 2011) - The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team traveled back to the United States from the ECVD Continental Cup with more than just gold medals. Three players earned four individual all-tournament awards for their unmatchable performances in Yevatoriya, Ukraine.

service aces. Gerlosky delivered a personal-tournament high of six aces in the U.S. sweep over Great Britain on Sept. 8.

Team Captain Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete), Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.) and Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) earned individual awards after their performances led the United States to a perfect 7-0 record in the tournament.

U.S. Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) brought seven athletes to Ukraine to compete, the smallest roster in the tournament. Teams were also allowed two able-bodied and two minimally-disabled players on the court at any time; however the U.S. team did not include any able-bodied or minimally-disabled players.

Kari Miller was named best libero with 163 receptions, good for a seven-game average of 57 percent.

Holloway was named tournament Most Valuable Player and best spiker after charting a tournament-high 100 kills and totaling The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team had previously qualified for the 123 points for her team. Holloway connected on 22 attacks and 2012 London Paralympic Games and continues to use internathree blocks in the first match against Ukraine on Sept. 5 for a tional tournaments for its preparation. personal-tournament high of 25 points.

The next stop for the U.S. Women’s Sitting team will be the 2011 Gerlosky was named best server with a tournament total of 22 Para Panamerican Championship from Sept. 28- Oct. 2 in Brazil.

Copyright USA Volleyball

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Women’s Sitting Wins Gold at Parapan Am Zonal Championships Three U.S. Women Earn Individual Honors: Katie Holloway was voted tournament Most Valuable Player and best spiker while Heather Erickson was named best server and Kaleo Kanahele best setter.

connected on six kills, two aces and a block for nine points and libero, Bethany Zummo (Dublin, Calif./UCO Resident Athlete) posted a 91 percent good and 70 percent excellent pass percentages.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Oct. 1, 2011) -The U.S. Women’s Sitting Team won the gold medal at the Parapan American Zonal Championship on Saturday after downing Brazil, 25-13, 25-12, 25-15 in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Head Coach Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.) started Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete) and Holloway at outside, Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) and Burkland at middle, and Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.) and Millage at setter/ rightside the first two sets and subbed Angela DeHaan (Yuba City, Calif.) for Kanahele in the third set.

“The team had a great tournament,” team captain Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete) said. “We didn’t lose a set the entire tournament showing our consistency of play. Everyone played well.”

Team USA had previously qualified for London 2012, so when Brazil defeated Canada in their semifinal match on Friday, Brazil qualified for London as well.

Holloway led the team with 17 points coming from 12 kills, three aces and a pair of blocks, while Monique Burkland (Ardmore, "It will be wonderful to have two teams representing our zone in Okla./UCO Resident Athlete) charted 10 points from six aces and London," stated Hamiter. four kills. Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill./UCO Resident Athlete)

Copyrighted by USA Volleyball

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U.S. Women’s Team Named 2011 Sitting Team of the Year COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 22, 2011) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team won both of its major international tournaments and posted an 18-1 record, earning it the Sitting Team of the Year for 2011.

Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C./UCO Resident Athlete) was named best server and Kaleo Kanahele (Oklahoma City, Okla.), the youngest on the team at 15-years-old, was named best setter.

“We had a very successful year from a number of standpoints,” said U.S. Women’s Sitting Team Head Coach Bill Hamiter. “One being that we won a lot; but two and the most important being that we were able to get the younger players great experience.”

“The team played well this year because of the focus we had going into each competition,” Holloway said. (Head Coach) Bill [Hamiter] has done an incredible job with our team and helping us to focus on the task at hand in each match, which most of the time is focusing on us.”

In late 2010, the women captured the silver medal at the 2010 Sitting Volleyball World Championships earning them a trip to the 2012 Paralympics in London. With the bid already in its pocket, the team had room to relax in 2011 but it chose not to.

The team will now head into the 2012 year with the London Paralympics as their focus. They will have a little more than six months to prepare in hopes to bring the gold home to the United States.

In March, the team traveled to Denver, in conjunction with the Crossroads Qualifier, to play a club team from Shanghai, China that included players from its national team. China is the only team in recent history that the U.S. women have not been able to beat. Team USA took the four exhibition matches seriously and went undefeated against the Shanghai club team.

“We have our blinders on for the 2012 year,” Hamiter said. “Our focus will be London, getting a roster ready to represent the U.S. and fine-tuning our skills to compete at our highest level.”

The team suffered a devastating blow in May as its captain, Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) suffered injuries in a head-on car accident in Morgan Country, Ind. Lancaster, 24, was taken to Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis in critical condition, but her injuries proved to not be life threatening and she is expected to be back with the team in 2012.

In September 2011, Team USA traveled to Yekotoriya, Ukraine for the ECVD Continental Cup where it swept the competition with a 7-0 record and won the gold medal. In addition to the team honor, three players received individual awards for their outstanding play including Holloway who was named best spiker and Most Valuable Player. Michelle Gerlosky (Lake Wales, Fla.) was named Best Server and Kari Miller (Washington, D.C.) earned Best Libero.

“I'm most proud of the huge strides we have made as a team,” Katie Holloway Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash./UCO Resident Athlete) said. “In Ukraine, there was such maturity shown on the court. When we were down by a few points, we never let ourselves get into a slump. We would always fight our way back, and every person took on that responsibility. In past years we would ride on our emotional ups and downs, this year I saw that change for the better in our Ukraine tournament.”

Eager to improve their team play, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team then traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the 2011 Parapan American Zonal Championships. The team posted an unblemished 5-0 run to secure the gold medal. Holloway again was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player and Best Spiker.

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Copyrighted by USA Volleyball

2011 USA Volleyball Women’s Sitting Athlete of the Year COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Dec. 22, 2011) – Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.) has been named the USA Volleyball Sitting Women’s Athlete of the Year for 2011.

“I am so very honored to be given this,” Holloway said. “I feel the progress our team has made this year has been such a huge success.”

Holloway’s year has been filled with remarkable achievements both on and off the volleyball court. In addition to captaining a 2012 London Paralympic-bound team, Holloway was named Most Valuable Player and “best Katie Holloway spiker” at two international 2011 USAV Women’s Sitting tournaments, posted the most Athlete of the Year points for the U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team and inspired the country as a celebrity guest on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

Immediately following the Continental Cup, the team traveled to Sao Paulo, Brazil for the Parapan American Zonal Championship.

Again, the team proved unbeatable with a 5-0 record, capturing the gold medal on Oct. 1. The team posted four individual honors; two earned by Holloway, who was again named the tournament’s MVP and Best Spiker.

“Katie was named most valuable player at both the Continental Cup and Zonal Championship,” U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Head Coach Bill Hamiter said. “She was also the leading scorer for the U.S. in each tournament. Her improvements to her allaround play have made her one of the top players in the world.”

Holloway has been competing with the Women’s Sitting Team since 2006 and she was part of the silver-medal winning team at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. With the team, she has accumulated five gold medals, two silver medals and a bronze medal in international competition.

Her achievements then went prime time.

On Oct. 9, Holloway appeared on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition with NBA star Dwight Howard as the inspirational celebrities to a 10-year-old hero, Anaiah, who lost her left leg Holloway was born without a fibula in her right leg and when she and a kidney while saving her younger sister from an oncoming was 20 months old she had her right foot and ankle amputated. pickup truck.

Since then, she has been a standout in women’s NCAA Division I basketball at Cal State Northridge (2004-08), a sitting volleyball The 2011 season was noteworthy for Holloway and the U.S. star representing the United States and an inspiration to every- Women’s Sitting Team, but to them it was all in preparation for one she meets. the 2012 Paralympic Games. In 2010, the team captured the silver medal at the Sitting Volleyball World Championships and In September, the U.S. Women’s Sitting Team traveled to Yevpa- Holloway was named Best Offensive Player. The medal earned toria, Ukraine for the ECVD (European Committee Volleyball for the team a spot in the 2012 Paralympic Games.

Disabled) Continental Cup. With the London Paralympic bid already in its pocket, the team had room to relax but it chose not “It means so much that USA Volleyball values the sitting program to. The women took the gold medal with a 7-0 finish, led by Hol- as much as they do,” Holloway said. “We all look forward to next loway’s 100 kills and 123 points. Holloway was named the tour- year in London and competing for that gold.” nament’s Most Valuable Player (MPV) and Best Spiker.

Courtesy Katie Holloway

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All-Time U.S. Women’s Paralympic Volleyball Teams

2012 London Allison Aldrich, Monique Burkland, Heather Erickson, Michelle Gerlosky-Schiffler, Katie Holloway, Kaleo Kanahele, Kendra Lancaster, Brenda Maymon-Jensen, Kari Miller, Nichole Millage, Lora Webster

2004 Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team

2008 Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team

2008 (Beijing) Allison Aldrich Heather Erickson Alexandra Gouldie Katie Holloway Brenda Jensen SiGui Kriss Kendra Lancaster Hope Lewellen Gina McWilliams Nichole Millage Kari Miller Lora Webster

2004 (Athens) Allison Ahlfeldt Allison Aldrich Bonnie Brawner Lori Daniels Kendra Lancaster Hope Lewellen Brenda Maymon Gina McWilliams Erica Moyers Penny Ricker Deb Vosler Lora Webster 40

USA Volleyball - 2012 Fact Sheet Name: USA Volleyball Location: Colorado Springs, Colo.

Founded: 1928 Membership: Approximately 275,000 Mission: USA Volleyball is the National Governing Body (NGB) for all disciplines of volleyball in the United States and is officially recognized by the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). As mandated by the Amateur Sports Act, USA Volleyball is responsible for the growth of the sport in America at the grassroots and most elite levels. USA Volleyball is the parent organization of the USA National Teams.

Chief Executive Officer: Doug Beal Head Coach USA Women: Hugh McCutcheon (Fourth Year with Women’s Team) Head Coach USA Men: Alan Knipe (Fourth Year with Men’s Team) Major 2012 National Team Events: Senior Women’s FIVB World Grand Prix (June 8-July 1, Various Countries) Pan American Cup (July 11-21, Mexico) U.S. versus Bulgaria (July 14, 16, 18 - Anaheim/Los Angeles, Calif.)

Olympic Games (July 27-Aug. 13, London)

Senior Men’s U.S. versus Argentina (April 27 and April 28, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.)

NORCECA Men’s Continental Olympic Qualifier (May 7-12, Long Beach, Calif.)

FIVB World League (May 18-July 8, Various Countries) Pan American Cup (July 7-15, Dominican Republic) Olympic Games (July 27-Aug. 13, London)

Indoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) Indoor High Performance and USAV Juniors (Youth and Junior) NORCECA Girls’ Youth Championship (June 24-July 2, Dominican Republic) USAV Girls’ Junior National Championships (June 28-July 7, Columbus, Ohio) NORCECA Boys’ Youth Championship (June 30-July 8, Mexico) USAV Boys’ Junior National Championships (July 1-8, Dallas, Texas) USAV High Performance Championships (July 24-28, Des Moines, Iowa) NORCECA Women’s Junior Championship (Aug. 19-27, Nicaragua) NORCECA Men’s Jr Championship (Aug. 24-Sept. 1, Colorado Springs, Colo.)

Beach FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch World Tour (various countries) NORCECA Beach Volleyball Tour (various countries) Jose Cuervo Pro Beach Volleyball Series (various stops) FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Youth World Championships (July 11-14, Cyprus) FIVB Beach Volleyball Swatch Junior World Championships (Aug. 29-Sept. 2, Canada) U.S. Open of Beach Volleyball (Sept. 14-16, Manhattan Beach, Calif.)

Other Events NCVF Collegiate Club Championships (April 5-7, Kansas City, Mo.) USAV Beach Collegiate Challenge (April 14-15, Hermosa Beach, Calif.)

USA Volleyball Open National Championships (May 26-July 2, Salt Lake City, Utah) USA Beach Junior Tour (various locations) About USA Volleyball: Founded in 1928, USA Volleyball is a Colorado incorporated non-profit organization recognized by the United States Olympic Committee (USOC) and the Federation International de Volleyball (FIVB) as the National Governing Body for the sport of Volleyball in the United States. USA Volleyball is responsible for both the Olympic disciplines of indoor volleyball and beach volleyball. USA Volleyball has over 275,000 registered members, 12,000 teams and 5,300 clubs nationwide. With an annual budget in excess of $17 million dollars, USA Volleyball supports the USA men’s and women’s senior national team programs, youth and junior national teams, national championship events, coaching educa� on and certificate on programs, grassroots development, and programs for the disabled and Paralympic Teams. USA Volleyball has a rich tradition of success as evidenced by winning an Olympic medal in every Olympic Games since 1984 and capturing numerous World Cup, World Championship and Continental Championship titles. USA Volleyball is committed to and works toward opportunity for all to participate. It is an advocate for all Americans endeavoring to assure universal access to opportunities at all levels of the game. For more information please visit www.usavolleyball.org.

Other: USA Volleyball consists of 40 regional volleyball associations which manage grassroots playing opportunities for the USA Volleyball membership and is affiliated with 36 member organizations (i.e. NCAA, NAIA, NJCAA, YMCA) that provide playing opportunities at a variety of levels.

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Volleyball Glossary Ace - a served ball that directly results in a point.

Block - an attempt by a player or players to interrupt the ball before, as or just after it crosses the net.

Bump (Pass) - technique of playing the ball using forearms, hands together, to direct the ball.

Bump (Set) - a forearm pass used as a set.

Perimeter Defense - backrow defenders work in the area a meter in from the backline and sidelines up to the three-meter line.

Pipe - a ball set in the middle of the court, on the three-meter line, for a backrow player to hit.

Quick - the first of the three attack options. The attacker contacts the ball immediately after it is released from the setter’s hands.

Carry - a fault called if the ball comes to rest in the course of contact by Red card - a severe sanction given by the up-referee. one player.

Roof - to block a spike, usually straight down and for a point.

Court - the playing surface divided into two equal areas by a net. In its official form, volleyball is played on a rectangular court 18 meters (59 Screening - an attempt by a player to conceal the start of a teammate’s feet 0.75 inches) long and 9 meters (29 feet 6.475 inches) wide; the serve by obstructing an opponent’s line of sight. Screening is illegal. women’s net placed at 2.24 meters (7 feet 4.125 inches) high and the Seams - the space between the blockers and between back-court men’s net at 2.44 meters (8 feet) high. defenders.

Coverage - most often, refers to backing up a teammate’s hit when the Set – the act of getting the ball into the position for the hitters to attack block is up and the ball comes back. the ball. Usually done overhead with two hands.

Cross Court/Cut Shot - an offensive hit when a player, instead of hitting Setter – the team quarterback. Attempts to “set” every second contact with power, slices the ball just over and nearly parallel to the net. for his/her hitters to attack.

Dig Lips - defending more than once and successfully an opponent’s hard spike as if the attacker was saying beforehand where the hit was going and you read their lips.

Serve - the act of putting the ball into play.

Dig - to pass a very hard hit spike; a ball brought up (saved) with any part of the body, particularly from a spike attempt.

Six Pack - another term for getting a spiked ball in the face on defense.

A “Twelve Pack” actually knocks down the defender. In the past the defender was then obligated to buy the spiker a six pack of his/her desired beverage (roots are found in doubles sand play).

Dink - a very softly-hit spike; ball played just over the net or the blockers hands.

Down-Referee - secondary referee. He/she stands on the floor at the opposite end of the net as the up-referee. Also known as the second official.

Dump - when the setter, instead of setting the hitters, attacks the ball over the net.

Foot fault - stepping on the court or out of bounds before serving the ball.

Free Ball - a ball the opponent cannot attack and must yield by passing over the net.

Shank - to pass the ball badly.

Sizzle the Pits - a spike that goes under, and past, the armpits of a big block.

Slide - a movement from an attacker’s serve receive position past another onto a third; usually the ball is hit while “sliding out” towards the sideline.

Spiked Ball - a ball hit forcibly from a height not less than the top of the net. Also known as a bury, crush, hammer, kill, put-away or slam.

Stuff - a block in which the ball goes straight down to the floor with no hope of being picked up by an opposing player.

Tool - when a ball is intentionally spiked off a blocker’s hands to make Joust - when two players on opposing sides attempt to block the ball by it go out of bounds. vying to push it onto each other’s side of the net.

Touch - when the ball lands out of bounds, but not before contacting Kill - an attack that results in an immediate point. one of the players.

Paint Brush - a wipe off shot by the spiker (painter) on a blocker.

Pancake - a one-handed floor defensive technique where the hand is extended and slid along the floor, palm down, and the ball rebounds off the back of the hand, rather than the floor.

Up-referee - the main referee. He/she stands upon a special chair. Also known as the first referee.

Yellow card - a first sanction given by the up-referee, cost the sanctioned team a point.

Pass - the first of three contacts on the offensive side - overhead or forearm.

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Media Resources Stay Connected with USA Volleyball wherever you go.

Media Contact:

Becky Murdy USA Volleyball Coordinator, Communications, Media Email: becky.murdy@usav.org Phone: (719) 228-6800

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