Katie Holloway Savors Golden Summer at 2016 Paralympics

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NORTHRIDGE, CA ---

Katie Holloway, a former CSUN women's basketball student-athlete, and the Team USA Sitting Volleyball team made history at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio by winning the gold medal. Holloway and Team USA swept the previously undefeated Chinese team in the gold-medal match to earn their first Paralympic gold medal.

In the gold-medal match, Team USA jumped out to quick starts in all three sets to post a 25-12, 25-12 and 25-18 victory. Holloway finished with six kills and two aces in the match and she and her teammates thrived off China's unforced errors. 7956

"I am still shocked about how amazing we played; we couldn't have written it more perfectly," said Holloway. "On the day of the match, we met with our sport psychologist and got into a good mindset. We knew we had to take it one point at a time and when we embraced that and changed our focus, we were all in sync and it helped set the tone the way we did."

The Americans overcame a previous loss to the Chinese in the round-robin phase of the tournament and handed China its first-ever loss in Paralympic sitting volleyball. Hearing the Star Spangled Banner was especially memorable for the Lake Stevens, WA, native.

"I still get emotional thinking about it. It took a lot of hard work and sacrifice, 10 years in fact, to get to that moment and I am grateful and thankful for every part of that day," she added. "Every word came to me when I was singing on the podium and it was a very fulfilling moment."

The team's chemistry was at its peak in Brazil and that camaraderie created a positive atmosphere that allowed the team and coaches to thrive.

"We really came together as a team over the past year and that was evident at the tournament. I have nothing but love and respect for all my teammates and know every time we take the court that they are there to give it everything they have," Holloway said. "We all bring different personalities to the side, but everyone really fit together well and there is a certain level of respect among us that it took a while to achieve."

Born without bones in one of her legs, Holloway is the only student-athlete in NCAA Division I history to play with a prosthetic limb. She competed at CSUN from 2004-2008 and was the Big West Conference Sixth Woman of the Year in consecutive seasons (2005-06 and 2006-07).

CSUN head coach Jason Flowers, who had to coach against Holloway when she was a Matador, stayed in contact with her during the games and sees Holloway as an ambassador of the CSUN women's basketball program.

"Katie Holloway embodies what CSUN women's basketball is," said Flowers. "She is dynamic, accomplished young woman who inspires others with her work ethic and perseverance. We are extremely proud to be associated with such an outstanding competitor, leader and person."

Before the tournament, the Matadors put together a good-luck video for Holloway. The gesture had an impact on Holloway thousands of miles away.

"I cried so hard when I got that video from the CSUN women's basketball program. The timing was perfect and it was great to see the current players and some of my former teammates," she said. "I was a little stressed out when I first watched the video and it was amazing and overwhelming to have that support from my Matador family." 7957

She graduated from CSUN in 2008 with a degree in Sociology and later received her Master's in Therapeutic Recreation in 2012 at Oklahoma State. Holloway was a member of the Team USA squads that captured silver at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing and the 2012 Paralympics in London.

In addition to having her family in the stands in Rio, Holloway also had her local training coach with her. Because of her job at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, CA, Holloway needed to find a coach to help her with her training and that came in the form of Thien Vu, a local adult coach who was able to transition to the sitting game.

With the magnitude of the victory still resonating heavily, Holloway is not sure what the future holds for her in sitting volleyball. She does know one thing for certain: she's going to enjoy every minute of her gold-medal victory tour.

"I am going to bask in the glory of my gold for as long as possible," Holloway said. "I am enjoying every facet of winning a gold medal and I am making sure to show it off and share it with everyone who helped me and sacrificed on this journey. I am enjoying every moment of it."

All Photos Generously Provided by USA Volleyball

California State University Northridge Athletics

Katie Holloway Savors Golden Summer at 2016 Paralympics

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