95th Services 'serves' 95th CG's first loss in intramural volleyball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  It has been said, "You should not rest on your laurels."

And that was what the lesson 95th Communications Group team learned during their battle with the 95th Services Division.

Services served the Communications Group their first loss of the intramural volleyball season Monday at the Rosburg Fitness Center here.

"I think we lost because of mental errors," said Kapono Bangay, Communications Group coach.

Bangay said the team has been serving outs, not hitting in and not covering their positions.

"It was unfortunate that we all had them at the same time in the same game," he said.

Expectations are high for the Communications Group as they were last year's champions, and three-fourths of last year's team remained with Jet Fabara and Alicia Tampon leading the team and Bangay reigning as the coach.

"I know the other team was very good," said Jeannette Niswonger, Services interim coach. "I came thinking we would be the underdog. We just played smart. We had excellent communication. "

Playing smart was one of the key points why Services won, she said.

"They are a solid team," Bangay said. "They keep it simple. They would keep the ball in play and let us make the errors."

Though Communications Group provided powerful serves and spikes, Services focused more on making sure to return the ball.

"We weren't concerned with the strong hits," Niswonger said. "We are just there to cover all the little things and used it to our advantage."

During the first set, Services beat the Communications Group with greater returns, powerful blocks and good placement of serves. Services scored 25 while Communications Group had 18.

The second set saw a closer match. The Communications Group almost had it during the middle of the match but series of faults had them losing their grip toward the top. Most of the scores Services received were from their serves and the Communications Group's mistakes.

"Our serving was excellent," Niswonger said. "Rather than power, we used placement. We also have powerful blockers."

In the end, Services emerged victorious by 26-24.

"It was one of the best games we played," Niswonger said. "This is the best match and the closest one."

Both teams are tied for first place with 412th Operations Support Squadron and 419th Flight Test Squadron.