LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
Inter-American Air Forces Academy turned a one-match deficit into a convincing 2-1 victory over Air Force Information Operations Center in an intramural volleyball game March 24 at the Warhawk Fitness Center.
AFIOC found their rhythm early, and was led by two kills from setter Elizabeth Lepping and an ace by outside hitter Doug Medley.
IAAFA got their first point from setter Butch Stackpoole when he snuck in to dump the ball over the net.
IAAFA began gaining momentum, but their push was too late, finally falling 21-18.
In the second match, IAAFA wasted no time establishing their game plan. Stackpoole continued to set the ball for outside hitter Eric Bueno.
"I've been out for three or four games, so our setting started out off," said Stackpoole. "But once we got our communication going, we were able to lock it in, zone it out and we came back and dominated from there on out."
The results were hard to argue with, as Bueno finished the game with five kills and IAAFA won the match easily, 21-12.
"Bueno is our power hitter and our go-to guy," said the IAAFA coach. "He makes it happen for us."
IAAFA continued with the rhythm they found in the second match and won the final match handily 15-8.
Bueno led his team with three kills in the third match, including one sequence where he managed to dive for three saves and capped it off with a powerful spike that could not be returned.
This was the final week of the regular season for intramural volleyball. Playoffs began March 30.
"We expect real good competition," said Stackpoole. "We have to step up our game and make sure we don't make any mistakes, and bring it to the other team."
Last year's champion, Cryptologic Systems Group No. 1, is currently in second place and is making a strong push to repeat.
"We aren't going to take anyone for granted," said Stackpoole. "Obviously, all the teams that make it to the playoffs are good, so we just have to remain consistent with our formations and just have fun out there."