MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT, San Diego -- Medical squared off against Finance in the commanding general’s cup volleyball league June 15 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego’s field house. T
he two depot units were neck and neck in the standings, Medical in fourth place and Finance in fifth place. Much like the standings, the match was close and required all three games to determine a winner.
Finance fell behind early in the first game, but recovered nicely and was able to dominate the shorthanded Medical team with a 25-15 victory.
“We communicated really well in the first game,” said Cpl. Tony J. Pulido, fiscal clerk, Finance. “We played well and did what we did,” added the 23 year-old coach.
The Medical team was full strength by the time the second game began. The difference could be seen by looking at the scoreboard. Medical took a demanding lead early in the game 19-13. Finance battled back strongly and tied the game at 22.
However, Medical wouldn’t be denied and scored three unanswered points and won the second game 25-22. “We had momentum starting with the serve and we were able to capitalize,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Andrew H. Johnson, hospital corpsman, Branch Medical Clinic.
“They came back, but we were able to regain the lead,” added the 29-year-old from Englewood, Fla. Finance, who dominated the first game, attributed the loss to a lack of one crucial requirement.
“We didn’t communicate very well,” said Pulido. “We were just hitting the ball over.”
With the teams trading victories, a third match was required and Finance was able to establish their dominance once again.
“We got our original pack in and were able to regroup” said Pulido, from Madera, Calif. “We got back to bump, set, and spike.”
Medical is looking forward to a rematch when the playoffs roll around later this season.
“We’ll be back and should see them again,” said Johnson.
The volleyball season concludes June 21. The top six teams will advance to the playoffs beginning June 22.