The USA’s sitting volleyball teams, training at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond, have achieved significant success, including a gold medal at the ParaVolley World Championships and qualification for the Paralympic Games.

Training in Edmond

The teams, which include world-class athletes, practice in Edmond on UCO’s campus. Bill Hamiter, director of USA Volleyball Sitting National Teams, described the teams as ‘a well-kept secret.’ Sitting volleyball is a variation of the sport distinct from traditional indoor, beach or grass volleyball.

“Sitting volleyball is another discipline of volleyball. So just as you would have beach or grass or traditional volleyball indoor, we are sitting on our bottoms. The concept is still the same,” said Nicky Nieves, a member of the USA women’s sitting volleyball team.

The athletes, who have unique disabilities, approach the sport with the same competitive mindset as any other athlete. “The goal ultimately for anyone in any sport, hopefully, is to be number one,” said Roderick Green, a member of the USA men’s sitting volleyball team.

Beyond their athletic achievements, the teams focus on fostering a sense of community. “It did make me way more confident in life, and it gave me a community of people that I can go back to, to talk about, to help me get through life and then help me in turn work with other people and share that same community,” Nieves said.

Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.