COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (July 3, 2025) — Nine Paralympians are on the U.S. Women’s Sitting National Team roster for this week’s Dutch Tournament, taking place July 4-6 in Assen, Netherlands.
Head Coach Bill Hamiter is using the annual event as a key development opportunity ahead of the 2025 World Cup in October.
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The U.S. roster includes the return of libero Kari Ortiz, competing internationally for the first time since retiring in 2016. Ortiz helped the U.S. win gold at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. Also making her return is 2020 Paralympic gold medalist Annie Flood, competing for the first time since Tokyo.
Veterans Whitney Dosty, Tia Edwards, Kendra Hall, Kaleo Kanahele Maclay, Nicky Nieves, Emma Schieck and Bethany Zummo round out the group of Paralympians leading the charge in the Netherlands. They are joined by 2024 Paralympic alternates Courtney Baker, Raelene Elam and MaKenzie Franklin, while setter Gia Cruz and outside hitter Jessie West will make their 2025 debuts with the team.
The Dutch Tournament features a strong international field, including the host Netherlands, Canada, Italy and France. The U.S., Canada and Italy are all ranked in the world’s top 10. Last year, the U.S. finished third at the event before going on to win gold at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
The team recently earned silver at the 2025 Para Pan America Zonal Championship and has already qualified for the 2026 Sitting Volleyball World Championship and the 2028 Paralympic Games.
Roster
No Name (Position, Height, Hometown)
2 Bethany Zummo (L, 5-3, Dublin, Calif.)
8 Whitney Dosty (OH/OPP, 6-3, Tucson, Ariz.)
9 Tia Edwards (OH/MB, 5-7, Skiatook, Okla.)
10 Kari Ortiz (L, 5-6, Washington, D.C.)
12 Emma Schieck (OH, 5-7, Statesville, N.C.)
13 Gia Cruz (S, 5-5, San Antonio, Texas)
14 Kaleo Kanahele Maclay (S, 5-6, Oklahoma City, Okla.)
15 Kendra Hall (5-7, Westfield, Ind.)
16 Nicky Nieves (MB/OH, 5-10, Kissimmee, Fla.)
17 Jessie West (OH, 5-8, Edmond, Okla.)
18 Courtney Baker (OH, 5-9, Crofton, Ky.)
21 Annie Flood (S, 5-7, Salem, Ore.)
22 MaKenzie Franklin (OH, 6-0, Red Wing, Minn., North Country)
24 Raelene Elam (OH, 6-1, St. George, Utah, Northern California)
Head Coach: Bill Hamiter
Assistant Coach: Grace Campbell
Performance Analyst: Jeff Hicks
Athletic Trainer: Samantha Carter
Mental Performance Coach: Brooke Lamphere
Strength and Conditioning/Physical Therapist: Bobby Moore
Dietitian: Jacque Scaramella
Schedule
July 4
USA vs. Italy, 12 a.m. PT
USA vs. France at 7 a.m. PT
July 5
Women: USA vs NED, 1:45 a.m.
USA vs Canada, 5:15 a.m.
July 6
Playoff matches