Pain equals gain for the MDG volleyball team

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Regina Agoha
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  The 19th Medical Group overcame a loss 25-19, and an injury to defeat the 189th Airlift Wing two out of three matches Tuesday 25-20 and 15-14, during a volleyball playoff game.

The MDG, who's rated second overall, lost the first game, but when the team lost one of their starters, due to an ankle injury, the determination to win intensified, and they won the final two games.

At the start of the game, the 189th AW coach, Seana Warner said her team was hopeful. They played most of their games during the season with only four players. Now that they have a sufficient amount of players, she said she felt like they were going to do well.

"We're going to do well," she said. "We overcame our first obstacle, which was not having enough players, so tonight we are hopeful."

The 189th quickly took the lead and keep it steady for most of the game. With much communication and fast reactions, the 19th MDG managed to tie the 189th twice, 10 - 10 and 15-15. Ultimately faster spikes from the 189th were the determining factor for the first game, and the 189th won 25-19.

During the half of the second game, when the score was tied 12-12, one of the MDG's players landed on her ankle in an unpleasing manner. After moments of her not getting back up, she was carried off the court in tears to cheer for team on the sidelines for the entirety of the game.

A supporter of the MDG team who was sitting on the benches and also a part of the MDG treated the injured team member as the game continued on.

With both teams fired up to win, the score stayed close for most of the game. This time the MDG was ready for the 189th's spikes and returned some spikes of their own. At the end of the second half the MDG won 25-20.

The tie breaker game was the closest competitive game of the three. Back-to-back scores were made up until the final 48 seconds of the game where the score was 14-14. With the last serve by the MDG, the desire to win was obvious for both teams as they went back and forth, but in the end, the MDG triumphed with the last point.

An MDG teammate, Nick Goforth said they played hard, fought back and stayed in the game. Their motivation to win came from their injured teammate rooting them on.

"It was definitely for her," he said. "We did it for her. The other team was really good, but this win was for her."