“ We’ve worked hard
the past four years for this and the outcome just shows how hard we worked. We just went point by point. We know they don’t give up and always come back.
— Monique Burkland on the gold-medal match
”
Games, followed by silver medals at the 2008 and 2012 Games, losing to China each time. Following losses to China at previous Para- lympics, as well as the 2010 and 2014 World Championships, the U.S. Women were hungry to make history and defeat China. But before facing off with China for a gold,
the U.S. Women had to get through pool play. The team opened the campaign with a 25-17, 25-13, 25-9 win against Iran. Following the win was a pool play match against China. The U.S. appeared poised to take the match, leading China 24-20 in Set 4 with a 2-1 lead. However, China rallied off four points to tie the set, eventually winning 28-26 and going on to win the match 15-13 in the fifth set. Despite the loss, the U.S. was upbeat, recog- nizing areas that could be improved later in the tournament. “We forced them to play very well, and we
struggled in the first and fourth sets, so we’re not walking out of this feeling like we played our best match,” U.S. middle Lora Webster said. The U.S. followed up the loss to China by dominating Rwanda 25-10, 25-8, 25-3 while also clinching a semifinal berth. Setter Lexi Shifflett served 19 consecutive points in the win, and 11 of 12 Team USA players scored at least one point. “I wanted them to come out and continue to execute point by point. We made a few mistakes, but overall our energy was up and the intensity
IRAN MATCH: Team USA defeated Iran in the opening pool match. (Photo: USAV/John Kessel)
BLOCK PARTY: Monique Burkland (block right) clamped down on China in the finals with help from Lora Webster.
” DUEL THREAT: The USA’s Heather Erickson (6) was named the tournament’s most valuable player and Best Receiver.
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