USA sitting volleyball teams train in Oklahoma, achieving global recognition
The USA’s sitting volleyball teams, training at the University of Central Oklahoma, have achieved major milestones, with the women’s team winning gold at the ParaVolley World Championships and the men’s team qualifying for the Paralympic Games.
EDMOND, Okla. —
The USA’s sitting volleyball teams, training at the University of Central Oklahoma, have achieved significant success, including a gold medal at the ParaVolley World Championships and qualification for the Paralympic Games.
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.”
“These are world-class athletes,” Hamiter said.
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.
The women’s team recently won gold at the ParaVolley World Championships, while the men’s team achieved its goal of qualifying for the Paralympic Games. Both teams are now looking ahead to 2028, when they will aim to compete for gold on home turf.
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.
Hamiter emphasized that the athletes’ disabilities do not define them.
“They want to be treated just like anybody else,” he said. “We’re an athlete first. Then we play this game of sitting volleyball.”
The teams practice in the mornings at the Wellness Center on UCO’s campus and are always happy to showcase their sport.