FORT CARSON, Colorado –
The All-Army women’s volleyball team boasted perhaps its most talented roster in years. But talent alone didn’t carry the Soldiers to the 2024 Armed Forces Volleyball tournament title, Coach Tatiana Brown said.
“We had some leadership that stepped up at the right time and made the right decisions and on the court and they supported each other,” said Brown, a former All-Army player. “That’s what made the difference.”
Fittingly Army (4-2) outlasted the last All Armed Forces Champion Air Force, 3-1 to clinch first place. Both the Army men and women claimed the tournament titles at Fort Carson, Colorado, as the Armed Forces tournament returned for the first time since 2019.
On Friday, the women won the first two sets against Air Force 25-16 and 25-16 behind the hitting of 1st Lt. Monica Eckford and Staff Sgt. Salaia Marshall and the blocking of Capt. Sydney Morriss and 1st Lt. Bryce Quick. Quick made a block to win the first set.
“We played as a team and we were really connecting,” Morriss said. “Whenever we had energy and were working as a team we were on fire.”
Setter Hannah Presley keyed the Soldiers’ victory with sharp passes to Army hitters and also kept the Air Force defense honest with four successful dump plays that caught the Airmen off guard. One dump in the second set, landed in a weak spot along the back baseline.
“She makes those crucial saves with setting the ball to the right people at the right time,” Brown said of the first lieutenant stationed at Fort Cavazos, Texas. “She knows her hitters so well that when that’s time when it gets close and we’re down, she knows where to put the ball and make those great decisions.”
On Thursday, Army dropped a tough loss to runner up Navy (3-3) after starting the match 2-0. Navy rallied to win the last three sets. Following that contest, Army bounced back to defeat Air Force on Day 2 in straight sets and then beat the Airmen again Friday.
“We were humbled real quick,” Morriss said of the Navy loss. “It put some fire under us.”
Outside hitter/setter Julymar Otero contributed clutch kills from the left side when the team needed offense, hitting several shots through the outstretched arms of defenders. Libero Ileanushka Maldonado made crucial digs off the Air Force hitters and throughout the tournament.
“I think we have a lot of talent on this team from the [defensive specialists] to the hitters to the setters,” Morriss said. “We had a stacked bench. No matter who went on the court, I think everyone was going to do the job.”
Brown praised Morriss’ defense of Air Force outside hitter Brookelyn Messenger Friday, the Airmen’s most talented hitter. Morriss recorded successful blocks against Messenger.
“Sydney just found her swing and she gets very high over that block and she blocks so well,” Brown said. “She pretty much shut down [Messenger].”
Marshall joined the All-Army team for her seventh and likely last season in 2024. During her first years with the program, the Army took first at the Armed Forces tournament in 2013, 2014 and 2015. The native of American Samoa has also made the Armed Forces women’s team.
“Today we made a statement,” said Marshall a 92A automated logistical specialist. “This year we had a great group of women. We’re back. I’m so emotional right now because it’s been a long time. Nine years waiting to win gold.”
Both Presley and Eckford made the all-tournament team, along with Air Force 1st Lt. Jordan Daniels, Messenger, Navy Ensign Jordan Llwellyn and Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Pauline Von Dinklage-Mapu.
For the men, Sgt. Michael Tuimavave and 2nd Lt. Francisco Alvarez of Army made the squad, joined by three members of Navy, Lt.j.g. Timothy Kim, Petty Officer 2nd Class Gaston Yescas, and Petty Officer 3rd Class AJ Liaga. Staff Sgt. Anthony Clowers also made the team.