USA Deaf Volleyball Captain Heads to Tokyo Aiming for Gold
Tokyo, Japan – team USA Deaf Volleyball is poised to compete in the Deaflympics this November, led by captain and Gallaudet University standout, Chloe Gamble. The team, fresh off silver medal performances in both Rio and Okinawa, is setting its sights on a gold medal finish in Tokyo.
Gamble’s journey to the Deaflympics, and her emergence as a leader, is a testament to adaptability and dedication. Initially unfamiliar with American Sign Language (ASL), Gamble found herself immersed in a predominantly ASL-communicating team when she began playing with the USA Deaf National Team. Her first experience with the team was described as a “whirlwind,” requiring her to quickly build connections with teammates who shared similar language gaps. She quickly bonded with two other players navigating the same challenge, forming a close support system.
Two years later, gamble’s proficiency in ASL allowed for a deeper connection with the entire team during a trip to the World Deaf Volleyball Championships in Okinawa. This experience underscored the importance of dialog and teamwork,skills she’s continued to hone throughout her collegiate and national team careers.
Gamble’s leadership extends beyond the court.She currently serves as captain for both the Gallaudet University volleyball team and Team USA, demonstrating a natural ability to inspire and guide her peers. Her dedication has already begun to shape her future aspirations; Gamble is actively preparing for a career in coaching, viewing her current captaincy as invaluable training.
“I’m now put into situations where I’m the one who has to deal with it, which is fantasticโฆ and so I’m excited to see how all of that translates into coaching,” Gamble explained. “As a captain, I do take it upon myself to know a lot about volleyball and know a lot about my team, and so all I’m making myself do now as the captain is already preparing me for coaching, as well.”
This year’s Deaflympics also marks a transition for the team’s coaching staff. Ann Whited Behm, the head coach for both Gallaudet and the national deaf team, recently stepped into the role after the previous head coach departed. Behm,a former player herself,will be leading the team for the first time at the Deaflympics,having previously competed in three. Gamble seamlessly filled the leadership void left by Behm’s transition, further solidifying her role as a cornerstone of the team.
Behm praised Gamble’s commitment and impact, stating via email, “She gives her 100% during training/practices and her dedication to get better in all aspects is remarkable, but she is always willing to go the extra step to make the team around her better.Her level of understanding of the game is high and she can communicate efficiently with her teammates and coaches. Lastly, it is indeed evident that everyone on the court trusts her to make any play on the court.”
While acknowledging some pre-competition nerves, Gamble expressed confidence in her team’s ability to achieve their goal. Her own experiences, notably her transition to Gallaudet University, have instilled in her a strong sense of self-assurance and leadership. She hopes to impart that confidence to the younger members of the team, recognizing that collective strength and collaboration will be key to securing the gold medal.