Robert Tua, right, from the 11th Engineer Battalion attempts to block a hit from Samuel Shelton from 789th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company Monday at Smith Fitness Center. The 11th Engineer Battalion won 21-12, 15-21 and 15-10 in the first round ...

FORT BENNING, Ga., (April 16, 2014) -- The 11th Engineer Battalion faced off against 789th Explosive Ordinance Disposal Company Monday in the first round of the Commander's Cup Postseason Volleyball tournament at Smith Fitness Center.

After three sets the winner was finally decided after a tough fought defensive battle, with the Engineers coming out on top 21-12, 15-21 and 15-10.

Neither team gained a momentum-changing lead until late in the first set when the Engineers scored the majority of their points. The 789th EOD net play was steady against the Engineers, blocking numerous spike attempts at the net.

"I think we had a lot of mistakes," said Coach George Ruiz from 11th Engineers. "On our serves, we gave a lot of points away. If we can cut those down, I think we will be a lot better."

The 11th Engineers lost the second set, with 789th EOD Company recording four and five point runs, led by Ryan Plemmons and Jeffrey Parmer respectively.

"We probably should have won two games but we were trying to get some of our subs into the game," Ruiz said. "So we probably gave away a lot of points ... we probably gave eight points away."

The 11th Engineers made up for the loss in Set 3, leading off with a six-point run and keeping their lead throughout the set to win 15-10.

"We had our lineup set up how we wanted," Ruiz said about the team's strategy. "We had our big hitters set up opposite of each other, so every time we rotated we at least had one big hitter at front."

Ruiz said the team has won five games in a row and is confident about making the finals.

"I'm pretty positive about our game, so I think it doesn't matter who out of these (preliminary) games win, we have a good chance of beating anyone," he said.