Story and photos by Amy Newcomb
GUIDON Staff

The 92nd Military Police Battalion defeated the U.S. Marine Corps Detachment in two out of three sets, 27-29, 30-21 and 30-29, during the Commander’s Cup Volleyball Tournament championship at Davidson Fitness Center on May 2.

Keith McElroy, 92nd MP Bn. coach and player, said he knew the championship would be a tough game because the Marine Corps Det. had defeated them during the regular volleyball season.

 “During the season, besides this week, we had a hard time getting players to show up. At the last minute we were looking for somebody to keep score or looking for a sixth guy,” McElroy said.” This week we have had a solid six every time and one to keep score, and, in addition to that, we actually started talking and gelling a little bit more together this week, and I believe playing every single day is helping out.”

During the first set, 92nd MP Bn. took the lead and kept ahead of the Marine Det. by three points almost to the halfway point. However, the Marine Det. began closing the gap and tied the score four times until finally maintaining a lead, which led to the first victory of the game for the Marine Det., 29-27.

Before the game, Marine Corps Det. coach and player Yeshua Ben-YHVH Maxwell said he was proud of how his team had done so far during the volleyball season and championship, and was hoping for a win.

 “I have to hand it to these students here, because they are actually in training, but they are finding time on their schedule to play and practice,” Maxwell said. “That is a lot of dedication.”

During the second set, 92nd MP Bn. scored the first points and took the lead with the Marine Det. struggling to catch up. Unfortunately for the Marine Det., the 92nd MP Bn. kept up their offensive drive and steadily widened the gap until they won the second set, 30-21.

The last set to determine the championship was so close the anxiety on the court was palpable.

The Marine Det. drew first blood, but the 92nd MP Bn. did not give up, stepping up their offensive moves and closed the gap within the first six points. However, the Marine Det. did not give up and maintained their lead until the halfway point of the set. As the game continued, a point-for point struggle ensued. Unfortunately for the Marine Det., with the score tied, 29-29, the 92nd MP Bn. scored the final point of the game.

McElroy said he was extremely proud of his team’s win, although they were nervous during the last set of the game.

“We lost the first one but rallied back. During the first game we had a couple of mistakes, but we knew what they were and we talked about it. We tried to fix them and we did — we won the second game,” McElroy said.

“The third game came down to the wire, it was just the last point — who could get that extra inch — and we got it, and it’s very rewarding,” McElroy said. “(The Marine Corps Det.) is an amazing team. They have some great talent, so it was pretty nerve-racking.”