2016 PARALYMPICS
not only is this a good team, but maybe one of the best teams on the women’s side ever.” The U.S. Paralympic Men’s
Sitting Team was making its first appearance in the event since 2004.
Led by veteran captain Eric
Duda, the U.S. squad featured just three athletes with any Paralympic experience. Duda and Chris Seilkop were members of the 2004 team, while Roderick Green competed in track and field at the 2000 and 2004 Paralympic Games. Despite the lack of Paralym- pic experience, head coach Greg Walker expressed enthusiasm for the team’s chances prior to the start of the Games. The U.S. Men began the tournament against No. 1 seed and world No. 2-ranked Brazil, dropping the match 25-14, 25- 17, 25-14. Bright spots in the match included the team limiting their errors to 17 on the match compared to Brazil’s 22 unforced errors. The U.S. Men came out firing against
SOLID PLAY: James Stuck (8) did his best to direct traffic for the U.S. Men, but their pool proved too tough. (Photo: FIVB)
Germany in the second pool play match, play- ing a five-set thriller that saw Germany win 20-25, 25-15, 25-10, 23-25, 15-10. Although disappointed with the loss, Walker praised
the team’s grit after trailing 2-1 in the match, also calling it “the most complete match,” the team played in 2016. The U.S. Men were unable to pull off an
upset over eventual bronze medalist Egypt in the final match of pool play, falling 25-14, 25-9, 25-14. The U.S. Men finished in eighth
place after losing to China 25-15, 25-16, 25- 17 in the final classification round. Green, a middle blocker, led the U.S. in scoring at the Games with 32 points off 20 kills, 11 blocks and one ace, tied for sixth overall in total blocks. Duda followed with 32 points from 23 kills and seven blocks. J. Dee
DISTRIBUTION PLAN: Kaleo Kanahele ran a diversified offense at the Paralympic Games in Rio, spreading out sets to an array of productive hitters like Nicky Nieves.
32 | VOLLEYBALLUSA • Digital Issue at
usavolleyball.org/mag
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