COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Sept. 10, 2008) – In a repeat of the 2004 Paralympic semifinals for women’s sitting volleyball, the United States will play Netherlands in Friday’s semifinals and China will face Slovenia.
The winners will play for the gold medal on Sunday.
The United States advanced to the semifinals by defeating Latvia on Wednesday, 25-12, 25-17, 25-11 in 57 minutes before a crowd of 800 at the China Agricultural University Gymnasium in Beijing. The United States finished second in Pool B with a 2-1 record. China won the pool at 3-0.
Allison Aldrich (Schuyler, Neb.) led all scorers with 13 points on a match-high six kills, a match-high six aces and one block.
“I thought the team came together really well and we all got to play,” Aldrich said. “I was really mentally focused and had my goals in mind every time I hit the ball.”
Heather Erickson (Fayetteville, N.C.) added nine points on five kills, two blocks and two aces. Katie Holloway (Lake Stevens, Wash.) scored seven points, including two blocks. Brenda Maymon (Sellersberg, Ind.) scored six points, including four kills. Gina McWilliams (The Colony, Texas) scored five points. Kendra Lancaster (Westfield, Ind.) added three points. Nichole Millage (Champaign, Ill.), Lora Webster (Cave Creek, Ariz.) and Sugui Kriss (Ravena, N.Y.) each scored two points. Kriss’ points came on two aces.
U.S. Head Coach Mike Hulett (Des Plaines, Ill.) started Erickson, Aldrich, Maymon, Holloway, Lancaster and Webster. Kari Miller (Washington D.C.) was the designated libero.
Every player on the U.S. roster saw time on the court as the United States overwhelmed Latvia. Team USA finished with 27 team kills, converting 40 percent of its attempts. Latvia had nine team kills, converting 13 percent of its attempts.
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