Representing Team USA in Sitting Volleyball
Writer, Graphics: Savannah T. / Chapter Submitted Photos
In August of 2018, Maddy B. went to Orlando, Florida to play in a volleyball tournament where she was approached by a representative of the team USA. She originally thought he was going to deny her from playing. Maddy B. was born without her right arm and had previously been told she wasn’t allowed due to her prosthetic.
“I was born without my right arm and got my first prosthetic when I was 3 months old,” says Maddy B. “As a baby, my parents were worried that I would never crawl but after quickly overcoming that nothing else stood in my way.”
Instead, he offered her the opportunity of a lifetime; he invited her to try out for the Women's National Sitting Volleyball team. Sitting volleyball is very similar to standing volleyball, with the key differences being the size of the court and the nets, and that a player must have one “cheek” on the court at all times. The USA Sitting Volleyball team is the reigning world champions, winning gold in the 2016 Rio Paralympics.
Maddy B. took him up on his offer and tried out later that month, giving her the opportunity to not only represent the United States of America, but also connect with people who have faced similar challenges.
“I didn’t know what to expect or even what sitting volleyball was. All I knew I was about to meet people like me and I was so excited. Speaking to the team was terrifying but playing volleyball is always something that calms me down,” says Maddy B. when recalling the tryouts. “When I got the email saying I made it, it was the best feeling in the world! All my hard work paid off and it was incredible.”
Maddy B. first made the A2 team (the second team) and continued to grow as a player and as a person. She remembers her first night with the A2 team and how there wasn’t an “awkward ‘what happened to you, can you do this or that’ phase’” and instead, there was an instant connection between her and her teammates. Not only did being a part of the team create a bond between her and her teammates, but the understanding and comfort of being with another amputee was also “indescribable” for Maddy B.
The ability to connect with other amputees have opened up communication for Maddy B., who remarks that “only people who are amputees truly understand how to describe things to each other.” For example, during her first practice, Maddy B. first learned how to put her hair in a ponytail from her teammate who conversely, Maddy B. taught a simpler method of tying her shoes. Additionally, Maddy B. helped her teammate get adjusted to wearing her prosthetic arm on the court by helping her find the best way to hold her platform for passing while the same teammate helped Maddy B. with the setting.
“No matter your ‘disability’ there are no excuses. Here everyone is equal,” says Maddy B.. “When playing standing my teammates’ standards for skills involving your hands were always lower for me I was never taught to set or even toss with two hands. But here it doesn’t matter if you are missing an arm, a leg, or nothing at all, we are all treated the same.”
After playing on the A2 team for eight/nine months, Maddy B. got the opportunity to play against Ukraine at a resident’s practice. After realizing team USA only had six girls including herself, Maddy B. realized this could be her big break in Sitting Volleyball. She proved herself on the court and got pulled up to the National Team following that game. She is the newest member on the team and has played with them for a year now, playing against countries like Russia and Brazil. She describes representing the USA on an international scale as “incredible” and “one of the best feelings in the world.”
“You no longer just play for fun around your family and friends, you are representing your country. At convention center tournaments they always play the national anthem but it was a completely different feeling hearing it with the USA on my back,” says Maddy B.. “I got the chills.”
As a member of the National Team, Maddy B. travels once a month to Edmond, Oklahoma for Camp where she competes for a spot on the roster for each tournament. With this responsibility and being a full-time college student, Maddy B.’s life can be hectic but her sisters in Sigma Delta Tau have been “incredibly supportive” of her.
“Since I travel once a month to Edmond, I miss a lot that goes on at school, chapters, date functions, philanthropy events, etc. [My sisters] always have my back and are completely understanding during my travels,” says Maddy B. “Whenever I get back from a camp, they can’t wait to hear about it all. Whenever I’m on USA volleyball’s Instagram, they always make sure I know they saw it. I definitely miss a lot and my life isn’t normal, but I couldn’t have done it without my sisters.”
This summer, the 2020 Paralympic Games were supposed to be held in Tokyo but unfortunately, due to COVID 19, it was postponed. Maddy B. has taken that set back in stride though and plans to continue her career with Sitting Volleyball and hopes to qualify and make the roster with the extra time she now has. In the meantime, she encourages everyone to spread the awareness about Sitting Volleyball and to follow them on Instagram @usav_sitting_wnt to get updates and to watch them play.
“Sitting volleyball has given me the opportunity to be a professional athlete. It is the platform to inspire people just like me. We need all the support we can get because disabled does not mean not abled. It means we do it differently and we should be treated as equals. My teammates are an inspiration to me every day,” says Maddy B. “Before this team, I didn't know anyone else that was an amputee. But now, they are the people I feel the most comfortable with and the reason I want to get my masters in Prosthetics and Orthotics in Grad school. With school and the career in Prosthetics I want to pursue, it is definitely difficult, but I don’t plan on leaving this team anytime soon and can’t wait to make many more rosters to come. See you on the podium!”