Photo By Sgt. Kyle Wagoner | Coach David Vendt (right), the Army sitting volleyball coach at the 2012 Warrior...... read more read more
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The U.S. Army sitting volleyball team claimed the gold medal after victory over the Marines during the 2012 Warrior Games, May 4, 2012, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo.
The team of wounded, ill and injured Soldiers and veterans defeated the Marines after winning the first and third sets in the match.
The first set went to the Army with a score of 25-12, the second to the Marines, 17-25, and the third ended with the Army team winning 15-13.
The final set of the game was neck and neck. The Army team scored points to lead with the Marines answering back, tying the score twice. With the game point on the line, the score 14-13, Ret. Army Sgt. Ilija Zafiroski, fired the ball over the net, ending the match.
“As soon as I hit it and I saw him dive, I knew that was the game,” said Zafiroski, a native of East Brunswick, N.J. “I’m just full of joy for me and my team and for everybody.”
The coach and players embraced one another, overjoyed with their accomplishment of winning the gold.
“It’s an awesome experience to have my guys comes together and take it,” said coach Cpt. David Vendt, Community-Based Warrior Transition Unit, Va.
Vendt said he is proud of his athletes coming back from losing to the Marines earlier in the week and defeating them in the final game. He can’t wait to return next year and do it again.
Warrior Games, hosted by the U.S. Olympic Committee and supported by the U.S. Department of Defense, were held April 30 - May 5.
The games highlight the dedication and determination of wounded, ill and injured service members through competitive sports.
Soldiers and veterans from all services compete for the gold medal in seven sporting events and for the Chairman’s Cup, an award given to the top-performing service branch.
| Date Taken: | 05.04.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2012 15:28 |
| Story ID: | 87964 |
| Location: | COLORADO SPRINGS, CO, US |
| Web Views: | 312 |
| Downloads: | 3 |
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