participated in the Fifth World Deaf Volleyball Championships June 19-30 in Tomigusuku City, Okinawa, Japan. The women’s team, with many Gallaudet student-athletes and alumnae, won the silver medal, while the men’s team placed fourth. Seven countries in all participated this year: France. India, Italy, Japan, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the United States. Iran withdrew from the competition shortly before it began.

The women’s team opened with a loss to eventual champion Japan, then defeated Italy and Ukraine, lost to Türkiye, and defeated Ukraine again. They lost to Japan in the gold medal match, 1-3
(17-25, 12-25, 26-24, 16-25). This was their third consecutive appearance in the gold medal match; they took silver in 2012 and gold in 2016. There was no competition in 2020.

The men’s team lost their first match to defending champion and eventual gold medal winner Türkiye. They then lost to Italy, defeated India, defeated France, and lost again to Türkiye. In the bronze medal match, they put up a valiant fight, but lost to Ukraine to earn fourth place. This was the first time the men’s team advanced into the semifinals at the World Deaf Volleyball Championships. 

The women’s team included current students Ella Gamble, Citrine Lummer, Cassidy Perry, Brielle Worley, and Jada Zarembka, along with alumnae Giuletta Maucere, ’18; Leila Sicoli, ’23; Darriyan Thomas, ’19; and Sarah Tubert, E-’15. Ann Whited Behm, ’13 & G-’17 was head coach, and Ben Campman, G-’24, was assistant coach. 

The men’s team included alumnus CJ Upchurch, ’21 and current student Elian Zfati. Campman pulled double duty as assistant coach for the men’s team. 

Lynn Ray Boren, ’96, is executive director of USA Deaf Volleyball. Boren is entering his 19th year as Gallaudet’s women’s volleyball coach. Cory Behm is indoor national teams director. Emma Giuntoli, ’23, is the team’s public relations coordinator. Follow USA Deaf Volleyball at @usadeafvb.

With men’s volleyball becoming a varsity sport next year, Gallaudet should become a feeder for the U.S. men’s national team, just as it is for the women’s team.

Photo credits: Takumi Fred