'We're Gonna Do This:' Skiatook Woman Looks To Bring Home Gold At Paris Paralympics

The USA women’s sitting volleyball team is getting ready to compete in the Paralympic Games with hopes of bringing home the gold for a third time. One integral player is from Green Country.

Volleyball is a constant in Tia Edward’s life.

“It's all I do,” she said. 

The Skiatook native grew up playing the sport and played at Skiatook High School … all without a left hand.

But Edwards says she doesn't let her birth defect slow her down.

“I’ve just learned to adapt my entire life and try and do things and sometimes you fail and sometimes you just find something else that works better so it’s super easy,” she said. 

She says she doesn't let it stop her on the court either. Her dedication earned her a spot on the USA women’s sitting volleyball team and a spot on the 2024 Paralympic roster this summer in Paris.

But this isn't her first time competing on the world stage.

“I just turned 21, new to the game, I’d only been playing it 2 years at that time,” she said. 

She was also part of the winning team at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games.

“Being in that higher of a playing field, it was so much different than what I’ve ever been used to, and it was very unique and such a cool experience, and I hope to do it again,” she said. 

Now with a gold medal under her belt, Edwards is confident she will help lead her team to another victory.

 “It's gonna be a challenge but I think if we play our game and we are on it, I don’t think that anyone can really play up to our standards,” she said. 

And she says nothing will stop Team USA from clinching that three-peat.

“We’re back and we’re better and we’re gonna do this,” she said. 

The Paralympic opening ceremony is on August 28th. The USA women's sitting volleyball team begins competition August 30.