501 CSW underdogs pull surprising second finish at USAFE V-Ball Tourney

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  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE ALCONBURY, England --  In a classic case of underdog meets mighty-might, the 501st Combat Support Wing Men's Varsity Volleyball Team used heart and maturity to pull a second place finish at the United States Air Forces in Europe Volleyball Tournament last week in Ramstein, Germany.

Nine teammates from the unit battled seven other organizations in "pool-play" and final tournament to win every match (5-1), losing only to Ramstein Air Base's Team in the final.

What's so great about second place? The team pulled from military members, contractors and DoD civilians in four geographically separated units and seven installations, overcoming logistical obstacles and limited numbers, to be competitive at the highest level in the command.

"We would typically compete in a 'small unit' competition due to the limited number of military personnel in our wing," said Mark Spence, captain and player for the 501st Combat Support Wing Men's Varsity Volleyball Team. "However, there is no 'small unit' competition for men's volleyball. Despite our size, we decided to put a team together and go for it."

The wing has only 900 military members compared to larger wings in the command, like RAF Lakenheath, which have an estimated 5,000.

"We practiced once per week," said Spence, "and some of our teammates had to drive more than two hours to make it."

The team practiced six times before the tournament, but discovered they had a shot at the championship trophy after the first several matches.

"After playing together during the first couple of matches, we got to know how each other worked on the court," said Shane Helsley, an outside hitter for the team. "After that, we knew we had a solid team."

This is only the second year the unit presented a team at the tournament. Last year, they ranked sixth of seven teams.

"Our initial goal was to improve from last year's finish," said Spence. "We wanted to improve our fitness and finish in the middle - fourth or fifth place. When we came together at Ramstein, our goal changed. We knew we had the chance to do something special."

"We couldn't be prouder of our players. They proved they can rumble with the big dogs, said Colonel Blake Lindner, 501st Combat Support Wing commander. "They showed a small number of airmen can create huge effects. You have to admire their determination!"

Spence and team setter Miguel Ybarra agreed that the team's maturity helped them pull off their success.

"We were able to overcome our limitations through our team's maturity," said Ybarra. "We did surprise a lot of people. No one expected us to be so strong. After two days of play, people knew who we were."

The tournament named Spence and Michael Green as "all tournament" players.

Players from the team include: Mark Spence (RAF Molesworth), Shane Helsley (RAF Molesworth), Miguel Ybarra (RAF Molesworth), Tom McCaughley (RAF Molesworth), Cecil Worthen (RAF Croughton), Michael Green (RAF Fairford), Shannon Boykin (RAF Menwith Hill), Marc Sanders (RAF Menwith Hill), Brian Lim (RAF Menwith Hill).