The Mustangs crept past Team Rock Steady in a best-of-three match Tuesday in the first round of the Commander's Cup Preseason Volleyball Tournament at Smith Fitness Center.
In game one, both teams remained close, tying six times during the game, but with the score tied at 23, Rock Steady of 1st Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, hit out of bounds to give the Mustangs of CONUS Replacement Center a 24-23 lead. With the game point on the line, Rock Steady missed another hit, securing a 25-23 Mustangs win.
Rock Steady began the second game with a 6-2 lead, but allowed the Mustangs to take a 9-8 lead off several missed shots. The Mustangs' defense remained strong, while Rock Steady worked on closing a 3-point deficit. Leading 14-11, the Mustangs increased their lead to 22-17 and with two missed hits by Rock Steady, and a spike by the Mustangs' Dennis Watts, sealed a 25-17 victory.
"It was exciting to play our first game," Mustangs coach Jose Rosario said. "We had good serves and I think that's what helped us win. We are a resilient team and we don't give up."
Jeffry Azur of the Mustangs said he felt good about the way the game was played.
"We had good defense and good communication," he said. "We are serious about volleyball and we play to win. We have a good team and I think we'll do well in the tournament."
Later, the Mustangs advanced in the winners' bracket and beat 11th Engineer Battalion to reach the winners' bracket finals. Rock Steady fell to the losers' bracket.
At press time, A Co., 2nd Bn., 29th Inf. Regt., and another team, that had yet to be determined were set to play for the championship.
Social Sharing