Monique Matthews was on the coronary heart of triumph in USA’s four-set victory over Italy within the 2024 WPV Ladies’s Tremendous 6 in Nancy, France.
Matthews, whose versatility and energy shone brightly, steered her group to its second win within the match, following their 3-1 victory over reigning world champions Brazil on opening day.
Matthews delivered a stellar efficiency each on offence and defence. She highlighted the significance of teamwork and resilience in overcoming Italy’s problem.
“I feel us coming collectively as a group and taking part in to our potential, I feel we will beat anyone,” she mentioned. “We had numerous errors like we did in that third set, which we misplaced. So simply eliminating our errors and taking part in to our potential is what we have to do for each recreation.”
Matthews’ reflections on the transition from their earlier match in opposition to Brazil have been notably insightful. “Brazil are all the time excessive power, so going from a excessive power recreation to much less power. When the power went down, our play went down. So we needed to make our personal power,” she defined.
This adaptability was essential of their encounter with Italy, the place sustaining momentum and depth grew to become key to their success.
A real utility participant, Matthews contributes to each side of the sport – passing, blocking, hitting. “I’m going to perform a little little bit of all the things. I’m simply attempting to be an all-around participant,” she acknowledged.
This multifaceted strategy permits her to fill gaps and help her teammates, making her an indispensable asset on the courtroom.
Speaking about her first encounter with sitting volleyball, she remembers that she fell in love with it due to its challenges.
“I acquired into sitting volleyball accidentally. I used to be in search of a brand new prosthetic, and I occurred upon sitting volleyball,” Matthews recounted.
Regardless of by no means having performed standing volleyball, her aggressive spirit as a former softball participant fuelled her ardour for the game. “I prefer it as a result of it’s so laborious and it challenges me. I’ve been taking part in for 14 years now and I’m nonetheless studying new stuff,” she added.
The transition from softball to volleyball introduced with it distinctive benefits. “The swing and throwing have been very relatable. Once I swing, I really nonetheless seize the ball out of my glove on my swing for volleyball,” Matthews famous, illustrating how expertise from one sport can translate into one other.
Waiting for the Paris 2024 Paralympics, Matthews’ objectives prolong past simply successful a medal. “To have enjoyable for one, and to get higher. Proper now, I’m getting back from a few accidents, so I’m not fairly at my prime,” she revealed. Her give attention to restoration and steady enchancment underscores her dedication to the game and her group.
