Bowling Green State University Athletics
Van De Walle And Sitting Team Down Finland, 3-2
September 22, 2004 | Volleyball
Sept. 22, 2004
ATHENS, Greece - Bowling Green State University volleyball head coach Denise Van De Walle and the USA National Sitting Volleyball Team downed Finland (25-23, 21-25, 26-24, 23-25, 15-13) in round one of the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. Finland had swept the USA in three previous matches back in May.
"It was a hard fought match today for Team USA," said Van De Walle. "I believe we are the stronger team but much younger and less experienced than Finland. It gave us a much needed psychological boost to finally beat them since we played them 3 times in the Netherlands in May and were beaten 3-0 each time. It was an exciting match to coach and one that all 700 fans enjoyed."
Coach Van De Walle has been with the National Sitting Team since early September, following the 3-1 win over Cleveland State on Sept. 8, and will return for the Oct. 1 match with Miami.
Up next for Team USA is a match with China.
