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USA VOLLEYBALL DISABLED VOLLEYBALL DIVISION VOLLEYLOG
It was very difficult for me to face both the Dutch and Lithuania and come out on the losing side. I believe that we have the potential to be stronger than both of these teams. In my opinion the Dutch looked very strong throughout the tournament, and they are experienced competitors. It is quite possible that we were all intimidated by them as we sat on the other side of the net from them. Ending up as World Champions, they played a very strong tournament. It is rumored that some of their key players are now retiring -- and I am glad for them they were able to end by becoming World Champions on their Home court. For me the match against Lithuania was even more emotionally draining. Our hope was to qualify for Beijing during this tournament -- and to come away with a better world ranking than before. Although Lithuania played very well, I think that our own errors cost us the match. We battled it out to 5 sets. Every point was crucial -- and somehow we were just not able to pull it off. As I watched the bronze medal match between Lithuania and Slovenia my heart become even heavier, because I could see that we have the potential to beat both of these teams. But sport is more than just winning and losing. It is a way for us to come together as nations spread across the entire globe and keep our differences between some yellow taped lines in an area that is six by ten meters long. After the matches are over, we can eat together, dance together, enjoy the company of one another—and realize that although we want to dominate within those lines, we can be friends outside of them. For me it was great to see the last match between Iraq and the USA. Despite what a person thinks of the war in Iraq, it is amazing to see strong men from both countries compete in sport against one another. We stayed in the same hotel, we ate in the same dining area and we shared the same sports venue. Through sport we could interact as friends -- and although we did not qualify for Beijing -- we will have another chance to do so -- we have shown peace towards others. I hope now to personally increase the intensity of my training to become a stronger player in our zonal qualifiers, and then in two years in Beijing. Our two ending matches were both very strong, as was stated in the Web site stories. Our passing was great, which allowed us to stay in system and give our hitters a chance to be strong. I was glad to see my teammates push through and finish with two great wins, despite not having accomplished our ultimate goal. Date: June 20, 2006 The last several days have seemed both extremely slow and unbelievably fast. We have learned as a team how to deal with long travel days — feeling tired and cranky, yet remaining emotionally even and cool. Everyone did a great job handling the stress of unexpected holdups, lost luggage, no hotel rooms and strange food. I do believe that all of this is good mental training for when we face some tough teams in the next few days. We have accumulated two marks in the win column so far — and hope and expect that we will gather a few more. The win against the Ukraine was exactly what we needed ith half of our squad having never competed in international competition — and the other half of us not having played an official match since our bronze medal win at the 2004 Paralympics. Kendra Lancaster served 15 points in a single run. As we celebrated point after point, watching her go back to the service line, I was thrilled to be apart of a team who showed they could be consistent. Several other players made smart plays -- Lora Webster never missed a serve and Brenda also had consistent serving. Tatiana played libero and her passing was very good. Katie played her debut match — she showed she could read the court, on the other side of the net, and place the ball where she wanted it. Today we competed against Brazil — winning in three games. Tatiana and Kendra led the team in serving aces. Everyone was able to come off the bench and play. And all the girls proved to be able to get the job done. Tomorrow we will face the Netherlands. They are the toughest team in our pool, but I believe that we have strong hitters, great servers, consistent setters and confident passers—we can get the job done. Date: June 16, 2006 I am filled with a wide range of varying emotions about the upcoming World Championships. Of course, I am thrilled and honored to be representing the USA on this team and with this roster of young, talented, spirited athletes. I am excited to have the opportunity to verify the potential that I feel we can reach as a team. Quite honestly, nervousness is also setting in as I recall the abilities of our opponents in Athens, and in realizing that there are two teams which we have never played before. I do, however, honestly believe that when playing to our full potential we can experience the rush of the medal stand—earning our place in the 2008 Paralympic Games. My excitement and hopes for the results of the men's tournament are also overwhelming. As I have watched them train—developing offensive and defensive systems while growing as a team—I feel they too have the skills and abilities to raise the eyebrows of their competitors and to compete with the top teams in the world. My hope for them as well is to watch with pride as a medal is placed around their necks.
Who Can Play Sitting Volleyball? Sitting Volleyball is a team sport which can be played by disabled and able-bodied, by youth, juniors, adults and seniors, in any combination. The game can be played by persons with minor disability, as well as people who are more severely handicapped. Sitting Volleyball will test your volleyball skills in a very fast paced, high energy game. It can be played to enhance your skills for the standing game or just because it is fun and exciting to play. To find a team or to create a team contact John Kessel. Disabled Division Background Many associate disabled sports with the Special Olympics. That world-wide program is the guiding organization for volleyball athletes with mental disabilities, but is only one of seven organizations recognized by the USOC in support of the disabled. Additional volleyball opportunities exist for the deaf, amputee, wheelchair, and other physically disabled athletes. Visit Disabled Sports USA Volleyball. In October of 1998, U.S. House and Senate amended and renamed the Amateur Sports Act, to the current the Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. The new Olympic and Amateur Sports Act now fully incorporates Paralympics, clearly reflecting equal status for disabled athletes. It continues the original focus of the Act to integrate disabled sports with non-disabled National Governing Bodies (NGBs). Because some disabled sports are unique, it allows the USOC to recognize Paralympic sports organizations if integration does not serve their best interests, or if an NGB objects to integration. Under the measure the USOC is officially recognized as the national Paralympic Committee. A 1994 US Census report showed that 21% of the population was disabled, a percentage certain to grow as the baby boomer population ages. In any case, USOC support, from grant giving to Olympic Training Center usage, will also grow. This inclusion was mirrored in USA Volleyball, where we now have a Disabled Sport Division, led by Vice President Roger Neppl. He is assisted by the US Paralympic staff, Joe Walsh, staff liaison John Kessel, USAV Director of Education, Diabled, Grassroots and Beach Volleyball. Head Coaches Bill Hamiter, Men's sitting, Mike Hulett, Women's sitting, Dave Richards, Men's Standing and a support staff including coaches Dixie Collins for the men and Denise Van De Walle for the women, round out the Paralympic programming side. USA Deaf Team Director Peg Worthington, Greg Remakalus, USA Men's Deaflympic coach, Patrick O'Brien, USA Women's Deaflympic Head Coach also work with USAV's Disabled Division to find the best talent and training. In conjunction with the Disabled Sports Organizations, we will be working to get more athletes playing and strengthening our USA National Teams - Deaf, Sitting, Standing and other areas. Download informational flyer (11x17) on Disabled Volleyball. |
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Athlete: Lori Daniels
