Wing team "volleys" to a 3-1 record with win over Med Group Published March 12, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Samuel King Jr. 53d Wing Public Affairs EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla -- The 53d Wing volleyball team picked up its third win of the year March 12, when they met the 96th Medical Group's Team 2 for an intramural match at the gym here. "After the first match (of the season), I figured we would be in the middle of the pack with potential to go higher," said Andrew Proud, 53d coach. "3-1 this early is a little surprising, but a nice surprise." Proud took over the coaching position after the 53d team lost its fiery, enthusiastic coach Grant Thomasson when he became the first sergeant for the Med Group. Proud attributes the good start to his players. "We have a good mix of players with complimentary skills," said the coach. It didn't take long for the 53d team to put those "skills" on display against the Med Group. The 53d team scored first with three straight points, but the Med Group were able to close up due to unforced errors by the 53d . The game was tight through the first 10 points. The 53d led 11-9. Then the team got on a scoring run, led by big serves from Antone Smith and Brian Love. The team finished off the first game winning 25-15. Much like the first game, the 53d took an early lead in the second, 7-0, and kept pouring on the points. More big serves by Love put the team way out in front 24-13 and David Banker put the exclamation point on the win with a spike to finish off the Med Group. The final score was 25-13. "I think we have been getting better every game that we play," said Jose Mestey, who's coached the team to two of the three victories. "We had a rocky first game, but we are having better communication between the teammates and as a result of that we are winning some games." The 53d team has six more games left before the championships: March 17 at 8 p.m. March 19 at 6 p.m. March 24 at 8 p.m. April 1 at 7 p.m. April 8 at 7 p.m. April 9 at 7 p.m.