CAMP H.M. SMITH, Hawaii --
The 2008 Intramural Volleyball League smashed into one of its first games as the Aches and Pains 2 dominated, shutting down Cruise Missile Support Activity Pacific in two games.
The Aches and Pains 2, 2007 Intramural Volleyball League champions, came into both games defending their title, spiking anything that came close to their side of the net, but staying on top of their game defensively.
Taking the court for a best two-out-of-three games the Aches and Pains 2 proved to be the team to beat, with their tantalizing spikes and fancy foot-work.
“We’re the senior side of the game,” said Aches and Pains 2’s head coach Ray Cordeiro.
Cordeiro said they’ve got the experience, but the season may prove to be challenging with some of the new players on the team.
On the other side of the net, CMSAPACS’s head coach, Pete Rucci, had the same feelings with his new players.
“Some of the guys are new to the game and they can get a little emotional,” Rucci said. “I’m going to try and play everyone equally because I’ve got some good jumpers and a good rotation.”
Rucci explained that it’s a learning game and he’s aiming to teach his team the fundamentals.
As the first power serve crossed the net, both teams scrambled to set up for spikes and blocks.
Unlike competition volleyball, points were scored by either team whether they possessed the ball or not, moving the game faster and keeping the players on their toes.
Staying neck and neck throughout the first game, both offenses drove down heavy spikes on the others’ defense.
Coming back with a big save, Jimmy Agustin, Aches and Pains’2 center back, kicked up a spike, putting the ball back into play and saving a point.
In the final minutes of the game, the Aches and Pains 2 pulled away from CMSAPACS, taking the first game 25-18.
During the short intermission between games, Cordeiro pulled his team to the side for a quick pep talk, stressing communication, calling the ball and staying within the zones.
Setting up for the next match, the game would either take the Aches and Pains 2 into two game victory or widen the chances for CMSAPACS in a third game.
Both teams played the court, covering any loose balls put in the air and digging into any low balls that came their way, keeping the score moderately close and the chance of a third game in the air.
Once again, the Aches and Pains 2’s offense sprung into action during the final minutes of the game, winning the second round 22-25, leaving CMSAPACS no chance of recovery.
“We played a lot better then I thought,” Rucci said. “We need to work on our defense, but I’m with the offense.
Rucci said he feels he’s got a really strong team, but he doesn’t want to win big until the playoffs.
On the other side of the court, the Aches and Pains 2 celebrated their victory.
“I’m shocked we played as well as we did,” Cordeiro said. “It went well for the amount of practices we’ve had, but we still need to improve out communication.
Cordeiro attributed the win to the experience of his players.