SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, ISLAND OF OAHU, Hawaii -- SCHOFIELD BARRACKS - The Marines defeated the Navy and took third place July 18 during the Hawaii Armed Services Athletic Council Volleyball Tournament July 16 - 18 aboard Schofield Barracks.
Marines and Sailors from MCB Hawaii competed for the best out of five sets against Pearl Harbor to finish in third place.
The Army and the Air Force competed for the championship later that night.
"The Army is probably the best team in the tournament," said Frank Benavente, coach of the MCB Hawaii Varsity Volleyball Team. "The Marines are the only team at the tournament that scored more than 20 points against them."
During the first set of the game, MCB Hawaii was undeterrable. It had strong blocking and powerful hits and spikes. About 15 minutes into the set, MCB Hawaii was ahead of Pearl Harbor 22-15.
Many of the MCB Hawaii players repetitively leapt to the ground trying to save the ball from landing. The Navy kept on their tails, as the ball was continuously volleyed from side to side.
The first set ended with the Marines winning 25 - 20.
The second set began with John Weis, first sergeant for Headquarters Bn., attempting to clear the net and missing. Pearl Harbor tried to take advantage of this fault and took the lead for the first half of the set. But, MCB Hawaii was not giving up third place without a fight as the two teams exchanged points, tying the score at 13.
After what seemed like an eternity, Pearl Harbor broke away from MCB Hawaii with renewed steam and raised the score 19 - 15.
The Marines and Sailors of MCB Hawaii took a time out and whispered amongst themselves a new plan of attack against Pearl Harbor.
Once the game resumed, it seemed that the new plan worked.
Weis began the point streak with a spike Pearl Harbor could not save. Following his point, MCB Hawaii scored four more points before Pearl Harbor could catch up.
Although Pearl Harbor had managed to shorten the gap from MCB Hawaii, it was not quick enough. The final point was awarded to MCB Hawaii from a spike, ending the second set 25-22, MCB Hawaii.
The third set was the only triumph for Pearl Harbor, but it took all the team's efforts to succeed.
During the first half of the set, MCB Hawaii was ahead of Pearl Harbor by no more than three to four points at a time. By halfway through, Pearl Harbor stayed only one point behind MCB Hawaii no matter how high the score rose. The teams continuously knocked the ball out of bounds in their furious attempt to take the lead, or they missed the violent spikes that were sent flying.
Then, in the last moments of the set, Pearl Harbor tied the score 22 - 22. Once the Sailors saw a light, they went for it with all their might and won the third set 25 - 22.
As the fourth and final set began, both teams were showing extreme fatigue and frustration, but it was all in good fun. Yet again, Pearl Harbor managed to take the lead, 10 - 7.
But, MCB Hawaii realized that Pearl Harbor was serving out of rotation and was awarded a point. That was when MCB Hawaii came back with a vengeance and pulled into the lead.
Although Pearl Harbor managed to score a few more points, MCB Hawaii was on a roll, the score reading 20 - 16.
For the second time in the set, Pearl Harbor was called on being out of rotation and MCB Hawaii received another point. The Marines received the winning point because Pearl Harbor knocked the ball out of bounds, but the win was still a win, and MCB Hawaii took the last set 25 - 18.
After winning three out of the four games, the Marines finally took third place in the HASAC tournament and left the courts with a firm handshake and a pat on the back.
"We only took third because of the intensity and heart we put into the game," said William Flatt, a player with Headquarters Co., 3rd Marine Regiment. "We came together, and that is the only way a team ever wins."