USA Volleyball

Becky Murdy
Assistant, Media Relations and Publications
Phone: 719-228-6800
E-Mail: becky.murdy@usav.org

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (Nov. 17, 2011) - The U.S. Men’s Sitting Volleyball Team will compete for a single qualification spot to the 2012 Paralympic Games by playing for gold at the 2011 Parapan American Games after it defeated Colombia, 25-12, 25-12, 25-13 on Thursday in the semifinals in Guadalajara, Mexico.

The scenario for the gold medal match is all too familiar for Team USA as it faces Brazil on Friday at 7 p.m. CT. It will be a rematch of the 2007 Parapan American Games when Brazil came out on top, taking the Paralympic qualification from the U.S. in a heartbreaking five-set showdown. A gold medal means a ticket to London next summer for the 2012 Paralympics.

In its second win over Colombia in this tournament, the U.S. dominated in all statistical categories by posting 38 kills to Colombia’s 10, charting a 4-1 block ratio and a 9-1 service-ace ratio.

Roderick Green (West Monroe, La./Edmond, Okla.) led the scorers with 10 points off of seven kills, two blocks and a service ace. Eric Duda (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Edmond, Okla.) delivered a team-high three service aces and connected on six kills for nine points. Duda also posted a team-high four digs and three assists. Bringing in eight points for the U.S. was team captain Brent Rasmussen (Omaha, Neb.) from seven kills and a service ace.

James Stuck (New Kensington, Pa./Edmond, Okla.) secured six points from six kills while Hugo Storer (Greensboro, N.C.) connected on three kills and two blocks for five points. J. Dee Marinko (Newcastle, Okla.) and Charles Swearingen (Gulfport, Miss./Edmond, Okla.) each contributed four points off of two kills and two services aces. Daniel Regan (St. Louis, Mo./Edmond, Okla.) posted three points from three kills while Ed Laforest (San Juan, Puerto Rico) charted two from two kills.

Ed O’Neil (Amherst, Mass./Edmond, Okla.) was the team libero with one dig and two excellent receptions.

The U.S. is currently in second place in the gold-medal count with 34 and is in third in total-medal winnings with 86 at the 2011 Parapan American Games. Brazil is leading both categories, 54-132.

For more information about the games, click here.

For live scoring and match results, click here.

2011 Men's Sitting Team Parapan Am Games Roster

Name (Hometown/Resident athletes at the University of Central Oklahoma are noted)
Eric Duda (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Edmond, Okla.)
Roderick Green (West Monroe, La./Edmond, Okla.)
Edgardo Laforest (San Juan, Puerto Rico)
J. Dee Marinko (Newcastle, Okla.)
Ed O'Neil (Amherst, Mass./Edmond, Okla.)
Brent Rasmussen (Omaha, Neb.)
Dan Regan (St. Louis, Mo./Edmond, Okla.)
James Stuck (New Kensington, Pa./Edmond, Okla.)
Hugo Storer (Greensboro, N.C.)
Charlie Swearingen (Gulfport, Miss./Edmond, Okla.)

U.S. Men's Sitting Team Parapan American Games Staff

Head Coach – Bill Hamiter (Bethany, Okla.)
Assistant Coach – Dixie Collins (Marshall, Va.)
Athletic Trainer- Brian Farr

2011 U.S. Men’s Sitting Team Parapan American Games Schedule and Results
(All times CT)

Nov. 14
12 p.m. USA def. Brazil 15-25, 25-22, 25-19, 21-25, 15-13
5 p.m. USA def. Mexico 25-13, 25-11, 25-17

Nov 15
12 p.m. USA def. Canada 25-17, 2-25, 25-15, 25-23

Nov. 16
12 p.m. USA def. Costa Rica 25-11, 25-13, 25-11
8 p.m. USA def. Colombia 25-14, 25-15, 25-13

Nov. 17
7 p.m. USA def. Colombia 25-12, 25-12, 25-13

Nov. 18
Bronze-Medal Match 4 p.m. Canada vs. Colombia
Gold-Medal Match 7p.m. USA vs. Brazil