Bowling Green State University Athletics
Van De Walle To Coach In Para American Championships
December 03, 2003 | Volleyball
Dec. 3, 2003
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - Bowling Green State University head coach Denise Van De Walle will join the USA Women's National Sitting Volleyball team as an assistant coach participating in the Para American Championships this weekend when they face Brazil. Van De Walle will join Mike Hulett a two-time Paralympic team head coach for the USA men's sitting volleyball team in1996 and 2000.
"I'm very excited to compete in Argentina," said coach Van De Walle. "Our team has had several practice sessions that I have not been able to attend recently because of my BGSU season."
Sitting volleyball is played with athletes sitting on the floor. All team members have some type of disability to their lower body such as paralysis from polio, or single- or double-amputation. The net is 41 inches high and the court is 10 meters by 6 meters with a 2-meter attack line. The only major differences between the standing game and sitting game besides the smaller court and lower net are: 1) players can block the serve; and 2) one "cheek" must be in contact with the floor when a person makes contact with the ball.
"Every coach dreams of coaching in the Olympics, but so few ever get to realize their dream," said Van De Walle. "This could be a dream come true for me."
