Members of the Air Force sitting volleyball team reach for the volleyball as it's spiked onto their side by the Army May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army won the series with two straight games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
Members of the Army sitting volleyball team reach for the volleyball after being served by the Air Force May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army won the series with two straight games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
Jeanne Goldy-Sanitate cheers on the Air Force sitting volleyball team May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army team beat the Air Force team 29-12. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
Members of the Air Force sitting volleyball team watch as they score a point against the Army May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army won the series with two straight games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
Chief Master Sgt. Damian Orslene hypes up the crowd during a close match against the Army May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army won the series with two straight games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
Members of the Army sitting volleyball team celebrate after winning a close game against the Air Force May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army won the series with two straight games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
Members of the Air Force volleyball team stand for the National Anthem May 19, 2011, during the the second annual Warrior Games in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Army won the series with two straight games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christopher Griffin)
by Staff Sgt. J. Paul Croxon
Defense Media Activity
5/20/2011 - COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) -- Earning a shot at gold, the Army took down the Air Force in the sitting volleyball semifinals during the final semifinal game at the second annual Warrior Games here May 19.
Though the Air Force started the series with the first point, they traded the Army point for point for most of the game. An early four-point run by the Army put them ahead, but the Air Force kept the pressure on.
With the Army ahead 19-15, the Soldiers put six shots down range in Air Force territory, defeating the Airmen 25-16.
Capitalizing on their momentum with eight straight shots, the Army set up game two for an easy win. With every point the Air Force managed, the Army put down multiple shots of their own.
With the score at 10-19 Army, the Air Force managed a five-point rally and then a pair of points, getting to within four points of a win. Despite the rally, the Army kept fighting and managed to get to game set at 24-19.
What looked like an easy win took a dramatic twist when the Air Force rallied again, shrinking the Army's lead to just one point.
It wasn't enough to take down the Army's will to fight as the Army scored the final point needed to take the Air Force out of the medal race and set the ground pounders up for a shot at gold when they face the Marine Corps May 21.
"It was a good game," said coach Elisha Abercrombie. "The team has heart, and we went down fighting."
