419th FLTS defeats 95th CG, clinches championship title

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Julius Delos Reyes
  • 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Revenge is a dish best served cold. 

That's what 419th Flight Test Squadron has been pondering after they lost to 95th Communications Group during last year's intramural volleyball championship. 

This time around, the 419th FLTS exacted its revenge to 95th CG and clinched the title during the championship game at the Rosburg Fitness Center on Monday.  

"We are pretty happy we won," said Darren Cole, 419th FLTS coach. "Everyone was great. The team pulled together." 

Since the 95th CG was on the winning bracket, the 419th FLTS needed to defeat them twice for a double-elimination. The 419th FLTS won both -- 26-24 and 25-12 on the first game, and 25-14 and 25-15 during the second. 

The first game's first set was the closest play and the most intense with the 419th FLTS pulling from behind and overpowering the 95th CG, 26-24. 

The 419th FLTS focused on strength and defense versus 95th CG's smart moves and good returns. Dale Taft, Ian Moreno and Lamecca Jefferson provided strong blocks as well as powerful serves. The three players amassed a total of 18 points while Miriam Horning, Wayne Stitzinger and Darren Cole scored seven to take the lead, 26-24. 

The 95th CG was leading the play but stumbled during the latter part of the set. Jonathan Gambrell, Kapono Bangay and Alisha Tampon led the team with 17 points. The team's smart moves played to their advantage for the most part. However, the 419th FLTS exploited their weaker blocking and returns during the last three points of the game. The 95th CG lost with 24 points. 

The former No. 1 team seemed to have lost steam after the first set as they committed more mistakes in the subsequent sets. Their defense line was weakened as well as their ability to return the ball. The team that has "communications" in its name seemed to have lost it. 

On the other hand, the 419th FLTS enjoyed the 95th CG's loss of momentum as they pulled 13 points ahead of the 95th CG, 25-12. 

"We are able to anticipate our moves," Cole said. "The main reason why we won is because of communication and cooperation. Everyone was talking and calling the ball." 

The second game saw a more powerful 419th FLTS as they scored point after point and kept the 95th CG at bay. 

During the first set, Andy Van Schmus, Cole, Horning, Taft, Jefferson and Moreno earned 15 points to lead the team. Brian Lichtman, John Gillilan, Marlena Gilliland and Stitzinger amassed 10 points to solidify their championship campaign, 25-14. 

The 95th CG only had 14 points. Hubbard, Bangay and Gambrell amassed eight points. Vanessa Riojas, Larry Oribio and Mark Kilsgaard had two points each. 

The second set was another disappointing play for the 95th CG as they only had 15 points. Meanwhile, the 419th FLTS made 25 points to crown themselves as the best of the best. 

Speaking about their game, Tampon said she was proud of the 95th CG team. 

"It was rough coming out after three weeks off," she said. "We played hard and we played one of the harder teams, but everyone did an awesome job playing together."