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Playing for Bragging Rights

Jun-21-2006 » Filed Under: 172nd SBCT

Written by Spc. Yolanda Moreno Leon

MOSUL, Iraq (19 June 2006) --Before the game started, player on both sides were talking trash about who would win the final volleyball match featuring Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 1st Infantry Regiment against 1st Bn., 17th Inf. Rgt., of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.

This isn’t the first time these to teams have met in a final match. This is the fourth time in a row that each team has met with 2n battalion coming out victorious each time.

The game was held at the gymnasium on Forward Operating Base Marez, Mosul, Iraq and the players had several fans rooting each team on.

“It has been four years in a roll that we beat the buffalo team,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Hector Davila, CSM Task Force, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt.,, 172nd SBCT. “I expected it was going to be a great game, both teams played extremely well.”

According to Davila, it was more of a trash talk game than a competition. We were playing for bragging rights until we meet again.

“I am sure we will meet again,” he said. “When we do, we will beat them again, and claim bragging rights for another year.”

“Soldiers are very competitive, they come out here and test each others abilities,” said Lt. Col. Richard Green, executive officer, 2nd Bn., 1st Inf. Rgt., 172nd SBCT. “It was fun to watch and the players and fans had a great time.”

Green said it is great to see Soldiers compete against each other and have some fun, and they all have good sportsmanship. I came here to see 2-1 beat the buffalos, and they did just that.

“It was a competition for some of my team players, but for me its like a stress free game just come out and some have fun, said Sgt. 1st Class Salelea Tuiolemotu, platoon Sgt., 3rd platoon Co. A,, 2nd Bn.,1st Inf. Rgt.,, 172nd SBCT.

“We shoot way better, but we haven’t played as a team for a long time, and now we are trying to pull it together as a last minute thing,” said Staff Sgt. Eotiasi, Faamagalo, 1st Bn., 17th Inf. Rgt. “I love the game, and I am sure we will play them again.”

A Soldier always wants to win; it’s a competition,” said Green. “Its all about developing team work, and each team does a great job.”


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