Bowling Green State University Athletics
USA Finishes Second in Pool Play with a 2-1 Record
September 10, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 10, 2008
BEIJING, China - Bowling Green State University volleyball head coach Denise Van De Walle and the USA Women's Sitting Volleyball team finished second in their pool with a 2-1 record. The Red, White and Blue fell to China, 3-0 (14-25, 21-25, 19-25) on Tuesday (Sept. 9) but bounced back to finish pool play with a sweep over Latvia, 3-0 (25-12, 25-17, 25-11) today (Sept. 10).
A second place finish in Pool B pits Team USA (2-1) against the first place team from Pool A the Netherlands (3-0) on Friday (Sept. 12) at 10:00 a.m. with the winner advancing to the Gold Medal match.
Team USA finished second in Pool B with a 2-1 record behind the number one ranked China who went undefeated (3-0). In Pool A the Netherlands also went undefeated (3-0) while Slovenia finished second with a 2-1 record.
Team USA has yet to beat the Netherlands in an International competition. However Team USA hosted the Netherlands in Chicago in March defeating them five out of the six times they matched-up. The last meeting between Team USA and the Netherlands was at the first ever World Organization Volleyball for the Disabled Intercontinental Cup in Egypt this past April, where Team USA fell to the Netherlands.
Daily video highlights of the 2008 Paralympic Games are available at www.usparalympics.org and www.universalsports.com.
(Some of the information courtesy of U.S. Paralympics Press Officers)
Team USA vs. China
Before a crowd of over 4,000 screaming Chinese fans, the USA Women's Sitting Volleyball team fell in three straight sets to host China (14-25, 21-25, 19-25).
Team USA scored the first point of the set one but it was the only time they would lead China the entire set. China went on two early runs and at the first technical time-out; China led Team USA, 8-2. Team USA tried to fight back as Heather Erickson terminated several kills for the Red, White and Blue, but it wasn't enough as unforced errors plagued Team USA. Team USA wasn't able to stop China's heavy hitter, Yuhong Sheng who was their main force on offense. China defeated Team USA 25-14 in the first set.
The second set seemed to be a recording of the first set at the beginning, however as China was about to pull away Team USA fought back with three straight blocks to tie the set up, 7-7. Team USA was never able to surpass China's lead as China's Sheng once again control the battle of the outside hitters.
Nichole Millage provided a spark for Team USA in the third set as the score went back and forth with both teams battling. The teams traded the lead on numerous occasions as the score was tied 14 times during the course of the set. With the set tied up 18-18, Millage scored another point to give Team USA the lead once more. China then called a time-out and went on to score seven unanswered points, winning the third set 25-19.
Team USA vs. Latvia
Team USA picked up their second win in pool play as they swept Latvia (25-12, 25-17, 25-11) in their last preliminary match before the semi-finals.
Allison Aldrich led the Red, White and Blue against Latvia with six kills, four blocks and four aces. Team USA dominance over Latvia allowed all players to see time on the court during the match.
From another continent and 12 hours ahead of Bowling Green, BGSU volleyball head coach Denise Van De Walle sent some thoughts on Team USA's journey to the Gold and her experiences at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics.
On Team USA's match vs. China
"China looked good and we looked timid. The venue was alive with 4,000 screaming and clapping Chinese fans all cheering for their team. It was one of the best volleyball environments I have ever coached in, in my entire career. When I say it was loud in there I mean it was loud. During timeouts we had trouble getting the information to the team and they were literally sitting on top of us to hear. In my opinion, we played scared in the first set then settled down a bit in the next two. Still we weren't able to compete at their level today. They are a smart, fast and hard hitting team that you must force into making errors."
On Team USA's semi-final match-up against the Netherlands
"We have never beaten the Netherlands in an international tournament. We played them in Chicago in March and beat them five out of six times we played them. However, that's the only place we have defeated them. Now the test is are we ready when it counts. We've had a longstanding rivalry with the Dutch and it's important that we beat them this time."
On the track events at the Bird's Nest
"We rode the bus and got dropped off down inside the Nest almost right on the field. We weren't allowed on the field so we walked around trying to find an area that they would let us into that was close to the track. We ended up going to the third level and walked down a corridor and the next thing I knew we were in the red velvet VIP seats! No one stopped us and that's where we stayed. (It's the same area that the President of China sat in during the Opening Ceremonies!) We were right in front of where they were running the 100m, 200m, 400m races. The place was packed, roughly 70,000 people to watch all the events. I was captivated watching the 100m-men then women's blind event. I have never seen anything so incredible. The athletes run with a seeing guide that is "tied" to their arm with a string and they run hard and fast. I saw a new Paralympic record set: 11:19. I also saw the 5000m wheelchair races. The upper body strength required for this sport is amazing. They use a special wheelchair that is extremely light and streamlined with two large wheels in the back and one small wheel out in front. It was so neat to watch."
