B.J. Evans
Manager, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: [email protected]
(March 10, 2008) – The U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team will begin its run up to the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing by hosting the Netherlands Women’s Sitting Volleyball team for a training and scrimmage camp on March 17-20 in the Chicago area.
Both Netherlands, the reigning world champion, and the United States have qualified for the eight-team Paralympic field. The U.S. Women are the defending Paralympic bronze medalists from 2004, when the Netherlands won silver.
Prior to the Games, which will be Sept. 6-17, both teams will compete at the first World Organization Volleyball for the Disabled (WOVD) Intercontinental Cup on April 22-30 in Cairo, Egypt.
On March 17-20, both teams will train daily at the Energy Volleyball Complex in Niles, Ill., starting at 10 a.m. These practices will be followed by matches at area clubs around the Chicago area.
“The matches around the Chicago area will provide people a great opportunity to see two top sitting volleyball teams in action,” said U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Head Coach Mike Hulett (Des Plaines, Ill.). “We are always looking to attract new fans and players to the sport.”
Among the U.S. players who will be participating are Illinois residents Hope Lewellen (Palos Park) and Nichole Millage (Champaign).
The public is welcome to attend practices and matches. All matches listed below will begin at 7 p.m. and admission is free. Autograph sessions will be held after each match.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Great Lakes Center
579 North Oakhurst Dr.
Aurora, IL 60502
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The Energy Volleyball Complex
6374 Howard
Niles, IL 60714
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Christian Heritage Academy
315 Waukegan Rd.
Northfield, IL 60093
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Sky High Athletic Center
220 Exchange Drive, Suite F
Crystal Lake, IL 60014
U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Training Team Roster
Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.)
Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.)
Alex Gouldie (St. Paul, Neb.)
Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.)
SuGui Kriss (Ravena, N.Y.)
Kendra Lancaster (Sheridan, Ind.)
Hope Lewellen (Palos Park, Ill.)
Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.)
Gina McWilliams (The Colony, Texas)
Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill.)
Kari Miller (Washington D.C.)
Tatiana Rivera Torres (Bayamon, Puerto Rico)
Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz.)