Bowling Green State University Athletics
Coach Van De Walle and Team USA Bring Home the Silver Medal
September 15, 2008 | Volleyball
Sept. 15, 2008
BEIJING, China - Bowling Green State University head volleyball coach Denise Van De Walle and the USA Women's Sitting Volleyball team became the 2008 Paralympic Games silver medallists after falling to China, 3-0 (25-14, 25-19, 25-15) in the Women's Sitting volleyball finals on Sept. 14. China, the host country won their second straight gold medal as they brought home the gold four years earlier at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.
Before a crowd of over 5,500 fought hard to win the gold and upset the 2008 Paralympic favorite China, but Team USA did not have quite enough to overcome them.
Team USA scored the first point of the match with a kill form Brenda Maymon and kept the score tight as the first set was tied 8-8 at the first technical time out. China began to pull away but Team USA fought right back forcing China to call a time out with the Red, White and Blue only down two points, 14-12. However after the time out China was unstoppable only allowing Team USA two more points the entire set, defeating Team USA, 25-15.
The second set opened much like the first with both teams very evenly matched playing point for point. Team USA took a 7-5 lead, but China came right back scoring six unanswered points. Team USA was never able to quite come back falling, 25-19.
The third set the closet Team USA would be to China would at the beginning of the set with the score tied 3-3. China finished the set and match strong. With a 21-15 lead over Team USA, China scored the last four points to win the set, 25-15 and their second gold medal.
"Playing the former gold medal team in their home country - that is a once in a lifetime opportunity," commented Assistant Coach Denise Van De Walle. "We have improved a lot and we've come so far but we were simply out-played today. It was just not our day."
Team USA improved upon their last appearance at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens where they brought home the bronze medal.
The 2008 Beijing Paralympic Closing ceremonies will be held on Wednesday (Sept. 17).
Daily video highlights of the 2008 Paralympic Games are available at www.usparalympics.org and www.universalsports.com. For Live coverage of the 2008 Paralympic Games visit www.paralympicsport.tv.
(Some of the information courtesy of U.S. Paralympics Press Officers)
