IWAKUNI, Japan - The Tail Hookers took first place during the 2011 intramural dodgeball tournament at the IronWorks sports courts here Dec. 9.
The action was fast-paced and nonstop as the Tail Hookers, IYAOYAS-A and IYAOYAS-B jockeyed for control during the tournament.
IYAYOAS-A and the Tail Hookers took to the court in the first round of the tournament.
Both teams went back and forth, firing their rubber missiles toward the other team’s players. Both teams utilized the strategy of rushing up to the waiting dodgeballs and making quick strikes at the line to get players out. This tactic worked several times throughout the tournament, but teams quickly changed this approach as all saw how quickly their numbers were eliminated in that fashion.
IYAYOYAS-A traded blows with the Tail Hookers and won the first match. The Tail Hookers fought back, working ferociously to counter the IYAOYAS-A to come back and tie the series 1-1. The Tail Hookers, in the third game of the first series, took an early lead as they eliminated several players from the IYAOYAS-A team. In their eagerness to score hits, several IYAOYAS-A players managed to turn offense into defense and caught several balls. In turn, they brought more of their teammates back into the fray and sent out the Tail Hookers players in quick succession before taking the win and sending the Tail Hookers to the loser’s bracket of the tournament.
“This is a great opportunity for different shops to get together and see each other and have a good time,” said Blake M. Chaffin, Tail Hookers player.
The Tail Hookers next took on IYAOYAS-B in another fast-paced match. The matchup between the two teams was similar to the first game, with both teams trading blows back and forth with the Tail Hookers taking the win, by a score of 2-1.
The next match was between IYAOYAS A and B. The winner of this game went on to face the Tail Hookers in the final game to take first place.
IYAOYAS-A dominated early by scoring first with a few well placed strikes to its opponents. Both IYAOYAS teams brought fierceness to the court. Several times throughout the match, both teams’ players came close to landing a multitude of strikes. It wasn’t until late in the first game of the second round when the tempo increased. Team B did not go quietly, however. It fought back to secure a point to make the score 1-1. Team A was not deterred and went ahead to gain the win, 2-1.
IYAOYAS-A and the Tail Hookers met up once again for the dodgeball championship. The two teams brought more of the same competitiveness they displayed throughout the tournament. Momentum shifted between the two teams several times as both secured a score, tying the game up 1-1. The Tail Hookers went on to win the tournament with a final score of 2-1.
“It felt amazing to come out here and win today for our shop,” said Cayden D. Walding, Tail Hookers player. “We pulled it off. I don’t know how, but we did.”
For some of the competitors, this was their first experience with intramural sports. They said they looked forward to other sporting events.
“I’m new to the fleet,” said Matt D. L. Stover, IYAOYAS-B player. “This is my first time being in an event like this, and I enjoyed it. I definitely want to try different sports while here.”
Stover also said the competitiveness and fair play of all teams was something that should be commended.
“The other teams were very competitive and they showed it on the court,” said Stover.
The beginning of next year will see an increase in group sports as the station gears up for the 2012 Commander’s Cup Challenge.