Air Force spikers take Warrior Games bronze

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Vanessa Young
  • Defense Media Activity-San Antonio
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFNS) --  The Air Force team bounced back from a loss to Army in sitting volleyball competition at the inaugural Warrior Games here May 13, ultimately earning the bronze medal.

The team went 3-0 in preliminary play and matched up against an Army squad in the semifinals. The match went to three games with the Army taking the first, 25-13.

The Air Force took the second game, 25-22 and the Army came back to win the final game and the match, 15-12.

With a loss in the semifinal game, the Air Force team lost the chance to battle for gold or silver, but faced another Army team for the bronze.

The bronze medal game was a one-game match to 15 points. With the bronze in their sights, the pressure was on to pick up their game.

"We had a rough first match, but we came back and pretended we were starting all over and that's what kept us focused," said 2nd Lt. Ryan McGuire.

The Air Force team took a lead early. With help from key serves by Jennifer Stone, the Air Force team was up 4-1. The Air Force team continued to score and with key blocks by Matt Sanders and members of the "iron curtain" frontline as well as critical digs by McGuire in the backcourt, the Army team never gained momentum.

"We were working together, but some of us had to get those back corners," he said. "They were definitely playing on our weaknesses and we just had to fight back and get it back."

The Air Force team continued their run to victory and held Army team to only 5 points in the game.

"I am absolutely stoked about where we are," said Tech. Sgt. Elisha Abercrombie, the Air Force assistant volleyball coach. "In the beginning it was hard to tell because a lot of our players had never touched a volleyball before. They came out here and dominated and when I say that I mean I would stand up and get light-headed because I'm so excited. Every single game whether we win or lose, everyone is proud."