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Port Dawgs sweep 436th FSS in volleyball

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  After reaching the semifinals the last couple of years, the goal for the 436th Aerial Port Squadron volleyball this year was to finally win the base championship.

With just a week left in the regular season before the start of the playoffs the Port Dawgs took a step closer toward that goal with a 25-21 and 25-15 sweep of the 436th Force Support Squadron April 30, 2013, at the fitness center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

James McDonald led the Port Dawgs slamming home a total of eight kills, while Michael Smith added four and McDonald served three service aces as the 436th APS (6-1) remained in first place in the National League.

McDonald said learning and teaching the fundamentals has been the key to the Port Dawgs' success.

"We have a lot of new folks on our team and we've been working on hitting as a whole; bump, set spike," McDonald said. "We also have a lot of tall people on our team, but they are not fundamentally sound so our coach has focused on teaching the fundamentals, but also having some fun and being competitive."
In game one McDonald and Smith each slammed home two kills and James Neubauer served three service points as the Port Dawgs held on for a 25-21 victory.

McDonald really came to life in game two, slamming home six kills and serving three service aces. Smith added two kills and Keith Stuckman served three service points as the Port Dawgs completed the sweep with a 25-15 victory.

Opas Lorboon led the 436th FSS with four kills and Anthony Richardson added three to lead the 436th FSS (2-5) in the loss.

436th FSS player-coach Danielle Galich said the mistakes they made turned out to be costly.

"I think APS beat us on our errors, we beat ourselves," Galich said. "APS is a very, very strong team and rightly so, that's why they are in first place. We just need better communication and more consistency."

Port Dawgs coach Mandy Clark said there are some things her team she would like to see her team tighten up before the playoffs start in a week.

"We want to work on getting our hits in," Clark said. "We also want to get more experience for our whole team. We have people like Chief (McDonald) and Smith who are very experienced, but others who need the work. We are working on getting them in and getting them experience so they are ready for the playoffs."

Smith said the Port Dawgs have only one goal in mind this season, winning it all.

"We have always gotten to the playoffs and we've never taken it," Smith said of the championship. "Last year we had a solid team, but we couldn't finish it. This year we want to take it home and win it."