U.S. Women’s Sitting Volleyball Team Off To Perfect Start With Win Over Rwanda

Nichole Millage dives for the ball at the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 on Aug. 28, 2021 in Tokyo. 

U.S. libero Bethany Zummo used knitting to control her thoughts as she prepared through the COVID-19 pandemic for the Paralympic Games Tokyo 220.

“I swear, I haven't had a panic attack only because I keep crocheting,” said Zummo, a two-time Paralympian and the U.S. defensive specialist. “I'm just saying to myself, ‘I’m going to keep crocheting, and everything's fine.’”

Zummo and her U.S. women’s sitting volleyball team weaved their way to a 3-0 victory in their Pool B preliminary round opener Saturday at Makuhari Messe Hall as they seek their fifth straight medal and second consecutive gold medal.

The top-ranked Americans put away No. 8 Rwanda in straight sets, 25-11, 25-9, 25-11. The match was over in just under an hour. The U.S. faces second-ranked China on Monday. China defeated the U.S. to win Paralympic gold in 2008 and 2012.

Except for trailing briefly in the first and second sets, the Americans were dominant throughout the match. Kathryn Holloway led U.S. scorers with 11 points, followed by Lora Webster with 10 points. Heather Erickson and Jillian Williams contributed nine points apiece. 

Webster and Monique Matthews each had four blocks for the U.S.

Webster, pregnant with her fourth child, is playing in her fifth Paralympic Games. Holloway and Erickson are both making their fourth appearances, while Williams was in her debut.

Zummo related how it was a pleasure just to travel to the Games and get onto the court after dealing with the pandemic for so long.

“We were warming up, and I was in the serve, serve, receive (drill), and I tell you, I have never been happier,” Zummo said. “I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm comfortable. I've been playing this for 11 years.”

Lora Webster and Katie Holloway block a shot during the Paralympic Games Tokyo 2020 on Aug. 28, 2021 in Tokyo. 

The experienced Americans — eight of 12 returned from the 2016 Rio Games — all looked quite comfortable in this opener against Rwanda. If they are successful in their quest for a gold medal, it would give the U.S. an unprecedented sweep. The U.S. also won the Olympic women’s volleyball and beach volleyball titles in Tokyo. 

For Zummo, the first victory was just getting to the Games after a difficult period of preparation. She worked with a sports psychologist to get ready.

“I love every minute that I get to be on the court,” said Zummo, “and this whole experience has just made me so grateful for being able to physically be here and be with my team and play volleyball.

“We really worked on giving me the tools to be mindful and just be here, because the anxiety is real. It was about putting an identity to what the actual fear is, and then just relinquishing control, because I don't have any control over this situation.”

That’s where knitting helps Zummo. 

“I will do what I have control of,” said Zummo, “so I crocheted a lot throughout this whole thing.”

She’d like to get together with gold-medal-winning diver Tom Daley of Great Britain, whose picture knitting poolside at the recent Olympic Games went viral.

“I’d love to make something that meshes Olympic and Paralympic together,” Zummo said. “He is really good at creating images inside of his knitting.”

For now, the dominant image in the minds of Zummo and her teammates is of Paralympic gold.