436th APS A team remains unbeaten

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chuck Walker
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  Going into Tuesday night's match with 436th Operations Group, the 436th Aerial Port Squadron A team had a chance to continue their unbeaten streak and remain in first place in the intramural volleyball standings.

They did just that, sweeping the 436th OG 25-13 and 25-19 at the Fitness Center April 10, 2012, at Dover Air Force Base, Del..

James McDonald and Patrick Piazza led the way for the 436th APS A team, providing solid hitting and serving to move the 436th APS to 4-0 on the season.

"We have a very solid team and we are fundamentally sound," 436th APS A team player-coach Michael Pfefferkorn said. "Our goals are to have fun and be competitive - so far this season we've been able to do both."

The 436th APS A team used the solid hitting of McDonald and Piazza among others to cruise to an easy victory in Game 1. In Game 2, McDonald served 10 straight points, including seven service aces, to give the 436th APS A team an 11-0 lead; they held on to win the match.

McDonald's serving and hitting throughout the match was key in the 436th APS A team's victory and has been key in their success.

"What can I say, he's one of the anchors of our team," Pfefferkorn said. "Obviously we can't do it without everyone, but the leadership he brings to our team and to the court has been superb. He and (Patrick) Piazza provide a lot of talent and they have helped the whole team to become better hitters. They have definitely helped us grow as team and have helped us both offensively and defensively. They are invaluable to our team."

For the 436th OG it was a matter of trying to come up with a cohesive line-up as it tried to blend players from different squadrons into one cohesive unit.

"We're doing well considering how we've had to pull all these players together," 436th OG player-coach Chelsea Weller said. "We're still figuring each other out and what our roles are. Like they say practice makes perfect."

Pfefferkorn said his team will focus on the simple things in order to remain successful and, hopefully, unbeaten.

"We're just going to keep working and concentrating on the fundamentals," Pfefferkorn said. "If we keep having good passing, hitting and set plays, we will be successful. A big percentage of success in volleyball is getting your serves over and letting the other team make mistakes."