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MOS remains on top, #1 team beats CS

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Shen-Chia Chu
  • 436th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  The 436th Maintenance Operations Squadron beat the 436th Communications Squadron 15 - 13 during a "sudden death" match May 18 at the Fitness Center.

"We're playing every ball like it was our last," said Stephen Hart, MOS coach.

Both teams actively communicated, but MOS players added in a few fake-out spikes and fought tooth-and-nail to save nearly every spike dished out from their opponents.

"Our strategy is to raise the intensity with every single point," said Hart. "We're going to focus on bumping, setting, spiking and consistently serving over the net, every time."

The MOS coach explained every other team wants to beat his because they are sitting in the number one seat so far this season.

"Our team is seen as the under dog because we are the number one team in the National League and we could lose that title at any moment," he said.

Though MOS won the first match, the CS team would prove themselves worthy by winning the second match after a long struggle.

"We made little mistakes during the first match, but now we're cleaning up pretty well," said Gary Stines, CS coach.

The CS team beat MOS 25-20, putting them into a "sudden death" match where whoever reaches 15 points first is declared the winner.

"We're going to keep the same strategy as we've had before - by avoiding little mistakes," said Stines. "We're also going to try to get the ball to our tall lieutenants so they can spike."

"It was a close game, but we came through in the end," said Hart. "With good communication, teamwork and our hustle, we were able to win."

The MOS team said they don't quit until the whistle blows - they play until the referee calls the shots and their key to success helped the team through the season.

"We stay humble and respect our competition, we never underestimate the enemy," said Hart. "And we work hard to truly earn every game we play, not taking our wins for granted."

MOS player David Weaver said, "We're not done yet."

The competition is not over yet, as both teams look forward to meeting at the play-offs.

"We'll get them back in the play-offs," said Stines.