MINNEAPOLIS -- The 2017 USA Volleyball Open National Championship has come to a close, but for the Army's sitting volleyball team, the road to gold is just getting started.

Team Army competed against both national and Paralympic players during the three-day camp and tournament. According to the team, going against such stiff competition has really prepared them for the competiveness at the 2017 DoD Warrior Games this summer.

"We saw progression, and our team cohesion grew throughout every game," said Master Sgt. Jovan Bowser. "It's safe to say our sitting volleyball IQ went up after this experience."

When some of the team's more experienced players were unable to make it to Minneapolis, a few of the newer players stepped up and took the opportunity to grow, something Coach Linda Gomez was happy to see.

"We had some great games. What we've done is just amazing and I'm not dissatisfied with anything," Gomez said.

The camp gave the team a chance to meet other sitting volleyball players from across North America, including Canada's national squad, The Eh Team, which won gold in the sitting volleyball division.

As the team turns their attention to Warrior Games, the athletes say they hope to continue learning each other's playing style and molding themselves into an unstoppable force on the court.

"The camp gave us a chance to feel each other out and continue to build upon our relationship heading into Warrior Games," said Bowser. "I'm proud to be part of this team!"