20070520USAFEVBALL

USAFE Volleyball Championships
Ramstein, 20-26 May

Daily Reports (by Steve Lowe, USAFE Fitness & Sports)

Subject: RE: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 5 - WHAT A FINALE!!

It has to rank up there as one of the best ever ………………….. the Ramstein Lady Rams and Spangdahlem Lady Sabres battled today for close to 5 hours, playing some of the highest level of volleyball seen for a long time on a USAFE court – in the end, after 9 enthralling sets, the Lady Rams ran out winners this evening. Earlier in the day the Lady Sabres defeated the Lady Dragons 25-13 and 25-12 to advance to the championship game where they would need to defeat to Rams twice to lift the title. This never looked possible when the Rams jumped out to a 2-0 lead but then the pendulum swung and the Spang ladies rallied and took the next three sets to win 3-2 (11-25, 17-25, 25-16, 27-25 and 15-11. This would force the “if” game following the men’s final as the ladies managed to refuel and provide another exhilarating show, Ramstein again taking the first two sets 25-20 and 25-19. Spang dug deep again and came storming back in the third 25-21 but fell just short in the 4th losing 27-29 in a back and forth battle.

In men’s action the 501st CSW defeated Lakekenheath in the loser’s bracket game to advance to the championship in only their second year playing USAFE Volleyball. In the final they continued where they left off striking first and winning 25-18, however, Ramstein leveled winning the second 25-21. The third set was the decisive one as the 501st led most of the way but leading 23-21 Ramstein strung together four unanswered points to win the set 25-23 and never looked back in the forth closing it out 25-14.

All Star selections for the women were Tracy King, Lani Kekahuna and Jen Penzaar (all Ramstein), Cheryl Roberson, Stacey Schill and Heidi Rogers (all Spangdahlem), Alice Bartek and Emanuela Pollano (both Aviano) Megan Johnson (Lakenheath) and Melissa Fepuleai (Mildenhall). All Star male selections were Bobby Coldwell, Tracy Lintz and Chris James (all Ramstein), Mark Spence and Mike Green (501st), Chris Milby and Freddie Verzo (Lakenheath), Aaron Bloomquist (spangdahlem), Scott Pauley (Mildenhall) and John Cruz (Aviano).

A full report should be the Sunday edition of the Stars and Stripes.

Subject: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 4 - RESULTS

Both the Ramstein Men’s and Women’s Volleyball teams advanced to tomorrow’s championship games and will compete to retain their titles that they have won for the past three years. The Ramstein men made easy work of their match against the 501st Griffins with a straight sets victory 25-19 and 25-11. They will meet either the Griffins again or the Lakenheath Eagles who will meet at 1100 tomorrow. The Eagles fought themselves all the way through the loser’s bracket with victories over Mildenhall (25-19, 25-23) and Spangdahlem (25-16, 25-21). If they are victorious tomorrow against the 501st then the championship game will be a rematch of the 2006 final.

In the ladies event spectators got to witness the match of the week as previously unbeaten Ramstein met Spangdahlem for the right to advance to tomorrow’s final – the lady squads split the first two sets 25-22 and 18-25 and then the lady rams ran out 20-18 victors in a thrilling third set. Spangdahlem will now meet Aviano in tomorrow’s 1000 match up to see who advances to the final at noon. The lady dragons advanced with wins over Incirlik and Lakenheath today.

Subject: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 3 - TOURNEY RESULTS

In both men’s and women’s brackets both the #1 and #2 seeds advanced to tomorrow’s winner bracket showdowns. In the men’s event Ramstein will meet the 501st following wins over Lakenheath and Spangdahlem respectively. Lakenheath had beaten Aviano earlier and likewise for Spang who defeated Mildenhall. On the ladies side top seeds Ramstein and Spangdahlem, with byes, advanced with two set wins over Aviano and Mildenhall, who beat earlier Lakenheath and Incirlik in the first round.

Subject: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 3 - END OF ROUND ROBIN

The round robin format completed in the early session today with both Ramstein men’s (6-0) and ladies team (5-0) locking in the #1 seed as the annual championship moves into double elimination play for the rest of the week. Following a 25-19, 25-17 victory over Mildenhall (3-2), the Lady Sabres of Spangdahlem (also 3-2) claimed the second seed by virtual of the championship second tiebreaker (sets differential) when head to head was ruled out due to Aviano (3-2) also being involved in the 3-way-tie following their win over Incirlik (0-5). Therefore, the Lady Marauders will be #4, Lady Dragons #5 and Lakenheath (1-4) and Incirlik #’s 6 & 7 respectively.

In the men’s seeding behind Ramstein, were the 501st in second place with a 5-1 record following wins over Spangdahlem last night and Mildenhall and Incirlik today. In only their second year at the event the 501 CSW comprises of four USAFE Small Units in the UK and Stavanger with players represented from each of the four UK GSU’s. As similar to the women’s seeding a 3-way-tie happened in men’s play with Spangdahlem, Aviano and Lakenheath all finishing at 3-3. The same championship tiebreaker meant that Spang would be #3 with Aviano and Lakenheath #’s 4 & 5 respectively. Mildenhall Marauders (1-5) finished at #6 and Incirlik (0-6) #7.

Championship play continues today at 1500 with the double elimination phase.

Subject: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 2 - RESULTS

In women’s play today Ramstein remained unbeaten at 4-0 sneaking by previously unbeaten Spangdahlem 25-22 and 25-21, in their other game they defeated Incirlik (0-4) 25-6, 25-10. In the day’s closest match up Aviano (2-2) defeated Spangdahlem (2-2) in 3 sets 25-19, 21-25 and 17-15. Mildenhall (3-1) registered two wins today to move into 2nd position with wins over Aviano and Lakenheath (1-3). Earlier Lakenheath picked up their first win with a two set victory over winless Incirlik.

On the men’s side Ramstein moved to 5-0 with wins over Lakenheath 25-16, 25-9 and Aviano 25-20, 25-16. In late games Spang (3-1), 501st (2-1), Aviano (1-3) and Lakenheath (2-2) all have important games to get a higher seed as the tournament moves into a double elimination phase after tomorrow morning’s final round robin games.

Subject: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS - DAY 1 - RESULTS

After Day 1 of the USAFE Volleyball Championships, both the male and female defending champion Ramstein Rams finished unbeaten at 3-0 and 2-0 respectively. The men started off cruising to a 25-8, 25-7 opening match victory over Incirlik. In the afternoon session they posted 2-0 wins over the 501st Griffins (25-20, 25-17) and the Spangdahlem Sabres (25-15, 25-19). The Lady Rams defeated Aviano in their opener 25-16 and 25-18 and then followed up with a 25-11 and 25-19 victory over the Lady Marauders of Mildenhall. The only other unbeaten team at the end of day 1 were the Lady Sabres of Spandahlem (2-0) who defeated Lakenheath (25-17, 25-15) and Incirlik (25-9, 25-9). Round robin play continues tomorrow with a further eight men’s and six women’s games.

Subject: 2007 USAFE VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The 2007 Men’s and Women’s Volleyball Championships will be held at the Ramstein Southside Fitness Center, 21-25 May 07. Seven men’s and six women’s teams from throughout the command will compete in this five day event that shall comprise of round robin and double elimination play (see attached schedule). The championship games are scheduled for Fri 25 May at 1200 and 1400 for the women and men respectively. Daily scores and updates will be forwarded on.