9th AS loads volleyball championship trophy into their showcase

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William Johnson
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The combined 436th and 736th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons are no strangers to the intramural volleyball championship game. They have made an appearance in the championship every year since 2011 and won the 2011, 2012 and 2013 championships.

Last year they were defeated by the 436th Operations Group and this year they fell short again, defeated by the 9th Airlift Squadron, 16-25, 25-18, and 15-7, May 14, 2015, at the Fitness Center on Dover Air Force Base, Del.

For many players on the 9th AS, this was their second year in a row winning the championship because the team was combined with the 436th OG last year. Joel Loftus, 9th AS player-coach, said he was happy his squadron was able to field their own team this year.

"It's been hard in the past to put a team together as a flying squadron," said Loftus. "I think winning the championship speaks a lot about the commitment of the players on our team."

It was not a smooth road to the championship for the 9th AS. They lost two regular season games and were overwhelmed in game one of the championship series, losing 25-16.

"We came out little bit flat and our passing was off," said Loftus. "AMXS played a really good first game and they were receiving real well and just got the better of us."

Jason Jones, AMXS player-coach, said his team controlled the first game, but bad habits kicked in, costing them the championship.

"We came to play that first game and that's basically it," said Jones. "When we play our game, we can beat anybody, but we have a tendency to get lax and that's why we fell apart during the second and third game."

The 9th AS opened up game two with four rally points taking an early lead and continued to win the point battle edging out AMXS 25-18. In typical fashion, both teams' seasons all came down to one game, first to 15 wins it all.

The 9th AS played in true championship fashion and had an early 6-point rally that put them in cruise control all the way to the title. They sealed their season with a final 15-7 victory and were crowned the 2015 intramural volleyball champions.

"We started to play together as a team, especially on defense," said Loftus. "We really turned it on the second and third game, and obviously you can see the results."

In genuine sportsmanship, Jones congratulated the 9th AS on their victory and said he believes his team will be back in the championship final next year.

"They imposed their will on us so I have to give them kudos for being a well-coached team," said Jones. "Hopefully we all learned something from this and we continue to play more as a team next year."

For the newest player on the 9th AS roster, Leah Peterson, it was a humbling experience winning the championship in her first season.

"This was a really fun experience and it was nice to come out here and feel like you are home," said Peterson. "With being so far away, this was my home away from home and I feel lucky to be a part of it."