The United States rallied from two sets down to defeat Brazil 3-2 (24-26, 20-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-12) and win the women’s gold medal at the 2025 World ParaVolley Sitting Volleyball World Cup on Saturday at the Turnstone Center.

Playing in front of a home crowd, the Americans completed a dramatic comeback to claim the World Cup gold and build on their Paralympic three-peat achieved in Paris 2024. Brazil, who finished third in Cairo in 2023, earned silver after suffering their only loss of the tournament in the final.

Emma Schieck led the United States with 21 points, including 15 attacks, three blocks and three aces, while Nicky Nieves added 15 points on 11 attacks, three blocks and an ace. Suellen Dellangelica Lima paced Brazil with 22 points, and Janaina Petit Cunha followed with 20.

Brazil set the tone early behind Janaina and Suellen, combining for 13 points in the opening set. Suellen’s three aces and strong net defence kept Brazil in control, but the United States stayed close with Raelene Elam and Nieves contributing five and four points respectively. The exchange continued point for point until 24-all, when Brazil scored the last two points to take the first set 26-24.

The South Americans kept their momentum in the second frame, relying on balanced offence and patient play to weather the Americans’ early aggression. Emma Schieck led the U.S. attack from the middle, helping her side take the lead, but Brazil recovered from 18-18 to seize control. With steady defence and precise distribution, they pulled away 25-20 to go up 2-0 in the match.

Facing elimination, the United States regrouped in the third. Brazil opened with an 8-4 lead, but Schieck’s run from the service line turned the tide, pressuring the Brazilian defence and pushing the hosts ahead 12-10. The set grew tense with long rallies and several lead changes, until Elam’s strong service run and Nieves’ quick middle attack widened the margin. Brazil struggled to recover, and an error that landed out of bounds handed the U.S. a 25-18 win to stay alive.

The Americans carried that momentum into the fourth. Brazil leaned on Suellen’s nine-point effort, but the U.S. attack became more balanced, with Schieck, Nieves and Gia Cruz finding their rhythm. Consistent serving and solid blocking kept Brazil on the defensive, and the Americans maintained control down the stretch to win 25-20 and force a fifth set.

The decider opened evenly at 3-3 before Schieck’s front-line play pushed the United States ahead 6-3. Janaina’s clean attack on the right narrowed the gap to 7-5, but a quick response from Tia Edwards and a Brazilian attack error extended the U.S. lead to 11-6. Backed by the Fort Wayne crowd, the home side reached championship point at 14-7.

Brazil refused to concede, scoring consecutive points to make it 14-12, forcing a U.S. timeout. On the next rally, Nieves finished the match with a decisive middle attack, sealing the 15-12 set and the World Cup crown.

The victory gave the United States a home gold and capped a resilient performance after a slow start. Brazil’s silver medal marked another step forward from their 2023 finish, but their unbeaten run ended at the final hurdle.