An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Top two teams looking forward to playoffs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jocelyn A. Ford
  • 92nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  Tech. Sgt. Tami Anderson works by day as the non-commissioned officer in charge of Specialty Services with the 92nd Medical Operations Squadron, by night she is the head coach for the 92nd Medical Group intramural volleyball team.

Sergeant Anderson has been coaching the 92nd MDG team since arriving to this base, making this year her third. She has played volleyball practically all her life, at family gatherings and picnics, as well as for her junior high and high school teams. She stated she chose to coach the 92nd MDG because, "It's just my thing."

There are approximately 20 people on the 92nd MDG team, but due to conflicting schedules each game brings, what seems like, a whole new team. Everybody on the team knows each other from work, so they play well together. Sergeant Anderson makes sure everybody plays and stated, "Our policy is we are there to have fun."

After taking second in the playoffs last year, their determination is high. The 92nd MDG has one goal this year, and that is to go all the way.

The 336th Training Group plans to stand in the way of the 92nd MDG's goal. The 336th has taken first in the playoffs for the last two years, and doesn't plan to back down now. With approximately 18 players on the roster, and four returning from last year's team, Staff Sgt. Kevin Grazette of the 66th Training Squadron and head coach of the 336th TRG team, is determined to keep the 336th TRG winning streak alive.

Sergeant Grazette has been here for 12 years and has played for a base team for eight. He admits to his competitive nature and plays volleyball on a B league in Spokane. He takes his sports very seriously.

His team, too, believes in having fun, and as long as everyone is giving what they've got, then he is happy. Sergeant Grazette keeps his team motivated by letting the team as a whole pick their motivation for each game. Sergeant Grazette claims his motivation usually lies with Kit Kat and Snickers. He later included the statement; "We jokingly play for Snickers bars and other forms of chocolate, but it's mostly for the love of competition and pushing ourselves mentally and physically."

Sergeant Grazette stated his reason for being a coach is, "What better way to make sure we win than to help lead?" He shares the spotlight with his whole team, to include the "new, younger bodied and full-of-potential teammates," as well as recognizing "a lot of old heads that help the team."

The 92nd MDG had 11 players show up to play against the 92nd Security Forces team Wednesday night. They claimed yet another victory. Sergeant Anderson reported that the 92nd MDG had fun playing, and the 92nd SFS "put up a great fight," and that "they are great sports."

Wednesday night the 336th TRG also had a game, they played against the 92nd Services Squadron. Due to forfeiture by the 92nd SVS during the first match, the 336th TRG played one match, and won the whole game.

It is not even half way through the season, but both the 92nd MDG and the 336th TRG are undefeated and are looking forward to a rematch of last year's playoff game.