412th OSS topples 95th MDG in championship

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class William O'Brien
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  This is what the season comes down to, the 412th Operations Squadron and 95th Medical Group squaring off at the Rosburg Fitness Center May 13 for a chance to be named Intramural Volleyball Champions.

Airmen from across the base packed the gym in anticipation of the championship match.

"We lost to the Med Group last time we played them so we knew we had to play smart and cover better if we were going to pull this one out," said Sacarias Tampon, 412th OSS team member. "The fans' energy motivated our team and we went out there and had a great game."

The 412th OSS quickly jumped to a 5-1 lead. Recognizing the early hole they were in, the 95th MDG responded, closing the gap on the 412th OSS lead scoring three points of their own.

That's when the game swung, the 412th OSS started rolling, scoring six of the game's next seven points. The 95th MDG tried closing the gap, at one point they even cut the 412th OSS's lead to six. However, the 412th OSS proved to be too much; securing the game's victory 25-18.

"They came out strong behind the effort of their excellent passers but it came together for us and we were able to pull out the win," said Tampon. "They had us worried for a bit, they were playing smart and passing well, but we were able to pull it out in the end."

The 95th MDG started the second game with a sense of urgency, taking the games first lead by the score of 2-0. But the 412th OSS responded, tying the game at three. The teams continued to go back and forth, tying at four and five as well.

The game then began to take on its most recurring theme, the 412th OSS would create a decent sized lead and the 95th MDG would close the gap.

The 412th OSS jumped ahead to 8-5 and the 95th MDG closed in on them. The 412th responded jumping ahead 13-8 and the 95th MDG narrowed their opponents lead to 14-11.

With the 412th OSS ahead 15-11, the 95th MDG tied the game at 15. Then 412th OSS jumped ahead to their fourth lead of four or more, 21-16. The 95th MDG countered, tying the game for the sixth and final time. Even at 21 with the 95th MDG, the 412th OSS scored only two more points, leaving the 95th MDG with a window of opportunity to pull out the win.

Unable to capitalize, the 95th MDG put the 412th OSS back in the driver's seat nursing a two point lead. The 412th OSS took full advantage of the 95th MDG bringing the game and match to an end with a score of 25-22.

"We knew we couldn't lose, we've had a couple games where we lost the second game and followed that with a poor performance in the third one," said Tampon. "During our last timeout we talked about the sense of urgency we needed to play with to finish off such great competitors. The key was keeping the ball and keeping our momentum going and closing this game out strong."

Tampon said he was proud of the team for how much they grew both as people and as players, throughout the season because of their willingness to accept coaching from their teammates and their ability to learn from mistakes.

"The whole year we've learned from each other, as well as from ourselves," he said. "We have some star players but it takes a team to win and that was the key for us all season, playing with a full team effort."