Master Sgt. Christopher Aguilera, back center, with the Air Force team, battles for the ball during his team's sitting volleyballl bronze medal game against the Special Operations Command team during Warrior Games 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 3, 2012. Air Force won 25-12 and 25-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis)
Members of the Air Force and the Special Operations Command sitting volleyball teams battle for the bronze medal during Warrior Games 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 3, 2012. Air Force won by a score of 25-12 and 25-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis)
Ken Gestring, with the Air Force team, serves the ball during his team's sitting volleyball bronze medal game against the Special Operations Command team during Warrior Games 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 3, 2012. Air Force won 25-12 and 25-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis)
Master Sgt. Christopher Aguilera, back center, with the Air Force team, battles for the ball during his team's sitting volleyballl bronze medal game against the Special Operations Command team during Warrior Games 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 3, 2012. Air Force won 25-12 and 25-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis)
Members of the Air Force sitting volleyball team celebrate after winning the bronze medal against the Special Operations Command team during Warrior Games 2012 at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 3, 2012. Air Force won 25-12 and 25-20. (U.S. Air Force photo by Val Gempis)
by Tech, Sgt, Mareshah Haynes
Defense Media Activity
5/4/2012 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- The Air Force sitting volleyball team defeated the U.S. Special Operations Command team May 3 during the bronze medal game of the Warrior Games here.
This was the Air Force's second win over SOCOM in volleyball this week.
The Air Force wasn't able to overcome the Army in the previous match and entered the bronze bracket after losing two consecutive games.
Big Blue came back with a vengeance and took it out on SOCOM beating them in two consecutive games.
"Our strategy was just to keep it high and to keep talking . . . and once we got a few points just to keep the momentum up," said Ryan McGuire, a second year veteran.
"From previous games we learned what to do and what not to do," said Jennifer Stone, a third year veteran player. "We had to be sure to block and talk."
In the first game SOCOM scored the first point, but Air Force quickly gained control of the ball and the lead. Air Force scored five points in a row before SOCOM could get back on the board.
After getting possession of the ball, SOCOM closed the gap and pulled ahead by two making the score 6-8. The two teams continued to vie for the lead and eventually the Air Force got back in front and maintained the lead through the end of the game. Once in the lead at 18 - 11, the Air Force made quick work of SOCOM and closed out the game 25 - 12.
In the second game, Air Force started with possession of the ball. SOCOM wasn't ready to surrender, leading early 7 - 4. On their next possession, Air Force hit the ball out of bounds and the gap remained. Finally at 16 - 16 the Air Force tied the game and SOCOM managed to score only four more points. The Air Force coasted to victory with a final score of 25 - 20.
"Our strength is being able to bring it back in, forgetting about the point we may have messed up and keeping the momentum going," Mcguire said. "We're all really good friends, on and off the court, and we don't get mad at each other. We just shrug stuff off on the court."
The Air Force team will be presented their medals during a ceremony following the gold medal game between the Marines and Army.
"We're excited, we earned it and we're happy to go out with the bronze medal," Stone said.
Comments
5/8/2012 4:51:36 PM ET I am extremely disappointed in some of these comments. AF.mil was doing several stories a day on the Warrior Games, so your ignorance is inexcusable Fish, JB, Realistic, Me and Dennis. Sitting Volleyball is an international and Paralympic event. Each of the competitors were injured in some way and the Warrior Games is an amazing event. I don't know why some people have to write such negative comments which only highlight their ignorant and mean-spirited nature. I'm sorry that your AF team overcoming their injuries, some of them from combat and earning a bronze medal, isn't good news for you. Thanks to all the commentators who defended us. Great article, Mareshah.
Ryan, JBLM
5/8/2012 10:20:31 AM ET Idiots. I can't believe I serve with so many idiots. I was proud to be at the Warrior Games. I get it. Too bad many out there don't.
KW, Colorado
5/8/2012 9:23:57 AM ET @Dennis and the rest of you that have no idea what youre commenting on. Please take the advice of the very few in this forum that have tried to explain to you what the Warrior Games are and what they stand for. There are many websites out there to educate you. If I were you I would do a little research on the next topic before I made myself look so unknowledgeable and uneducated or better yet maybe you should never make another post.
WAR, Scott AFB
5/7/2012 3:07:31 PM ET The Warrior Games celebrate the achievement and abilities of wounded ill and injured service members through athletic competition.httpwww.defense.govhomefeatures20100410_warriorgames
John, Langley AFB
5/7/2012 1:25:07 PM ET Since the commentors are out in force again and can't seem to educate themselves before commenting I'll go ahead and explain what the Warrior Games are. The Warrior Games are for wounded and injured servicemembers from all branches of the military. There is sitting volleyball for a reason. Figure it out.
Craig Kirwin, Langley AFB
5/7/2012 12:26:34 PM ET AllLet me just share with you for a moment. My first concern here is that some have passed judgement without having any knowledge. I would like to think that if one had access to read this story then they could find out what the Warrior Games are all about before make a posting to this media piece. The Warrior Games are sporting event competitions between the branches of service and UK this year. They are sponsored by the United States Olympic Committee and the DoD along with many other sponsors. The games are for select athletes in the services that have been wounded injured or ill and they do not have to be combat related. Each sport has a level of fairness. If you ever watched the Paralympics you would understand what I mean. Not all of us are equal so please be sensitive but more importantly compassion and kindness go a long way. Now here is the knowledge and understanding of it which makes one wise. Great job my Warrior Games brothers and sisters.
SMSgt Mike Sanders, Alaska
5/7/2012 11:50:19 AM ET Sitting Volleyball? Are u kidding me? Do we have a sychronized swimming team? With budget and manpower cuts how can the AF continue supporting fringe sports?
Dennis LaRue, Lackland
5/7/2012 11:32:48 AM ET Sitting volleyball for warrior games? One of the pictures shows them all standing.
Me, Here
5/7/2012 10:41:33 AM ET Analyst my comment was to illustrate my disbelief that sitting volleyball exists and that such an emphasis is placed on it. In no way do I discredit the Warrior Games. However with all the emphasis that has been placed on physical fitness in the AF that such an event is highlighted is bewildering to me. Maybe I'm just old-school but I think this particular sport does not belong especially when we are stretched thin worldwide and we are facing budget cuts in operational areas. Not every idea is a good one.
Fish, New Mexico
5/7/2012 10:28:37 AM ET Realistic and JB it actually comes from someone's effort to provide a sport for people wounded in battle who can't play 'standing' volleyball like the rest of us.Stuart there has probably been an average of at least one story a day on the Warrior Games on this website.
Dan, NM
5/5/2012 7:56:08 PM ET To those who have left sarcastic comments regarding sitting volleyball how many of you have lost a limb or two in service to your nation? If you still have both arms and both legs then you'd be advised to keep your comments constructive.
PB, US
5/5/2012 9:42:04 AM ET Analyst I didn't know what the Warrior Games were either until I just Googled them. It's the author's job to explain that somewhere in the article because a lot of people have probably never heard of the games.
Stuart, Planet Earth
5/4/2012 11:54:15 PM ET Are you kidding Sitting volleyball I wonder if this comes from someone's effort to reduce sprained ankles and other commonly accepted risk of a real sport. I applaud anyone who practices and excels at a sport but this sounds about as dumb as flickerball.
Realistic, CONUS
5/4/2012 11:12:21 PM ET We have a sitting volleyball team Wait...better question There's such a sport as sitting volleyball And people poke fun at my job. Anyway...Congrats Go Blue
JB, Yonderville
5/4/2012 5:51:34 PM ET This was an awesome game From the athletes to the fans Truly inspirational.
Big Fan, Colorado Springs
5/4/2012 2:26:53 PM ET Yes, Fish, seriously. Did you miss the part about it being the warrior games? Do you know what the warrior games are?
