736th AMXS edges past 436th APS A to reach volleyball championship

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron volleyball team looked impressive during their semifinal match against the 436th Aerial Port Squadron A team.

Fermin Rodriguez, Tim Hellmann and player-coach Jon Lu each led the way for the 736th AMXS as they went on to defeat the 436th APS A 26-24, 21-25 and 15-11 May 21, 2012, at the Fitness Center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Lu slammed home 16 kills and Rodriguez added 15 as the 736th AMXS moved on to the championship game to face the winner of the 436th APS A/436th Maintenance Squadron losers' bracket finals.

"All I can say is we came together against a great team," said Lu. "Our passing was key to the victory. Once we get a good pass and set, our hitting is like clockwork."

In Game 1, the 436th APS A team stood one point away from winning the game, leading 24-22. But the 736th AMXS would not be denied, and Rodriguez slammed home the winning point to give them the hard-fought 26-24 victory.

James McDonald led the way for the 436th APS A team in Game 2, slamming home 11 kills as they came back to win 25-21.

In the deciding Game 3, Hellmann and Lu each led the way with five kills as the 736th AMXS won the match 15-11.

Lu said passing and setting were the keys to victory.

"Good hits start with good passes and good setting," said Lu. "It is natural for us to hit and hit well. If they can set us up with a good pass and a good set, we're going to get the kill. That's what we were able to do."

436th APS A player-coach Michael Pfefferkorn said his team, which got solid play once again from McDonald and Patrick Piazza, will try to bounce back in the losers' bracket finals.

"They just played well, and my hats off to them," said Pfefferkorn. "We're going to have to just take it one game at a time and not look too far ahead or we won't be able to concentrate. We'll get them again in the championship game."

Lu said his team will have to stay focused as they now stand one match away from being base champions.

"We've been a tight and close team all year, so we're going to have to come together and stay tight in the final match," Lu said.