Lizards set, spike, leap to 7th volleyball title Published Oct. 9, 2009 By John Stuart Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- It's all about dynasty for the Leaping Lizards intramural volleyball team. With a seventh season championship in the bag for the veteran Tinker corps, there's little doubt that what they have going smacks with ritual. The Lizards took down a salty Mixed Nuts squad Oct. 6, two matches to three, in what proved a fierce contest in the season championship game. The Lizards claimed the first match 25-18 but dropped the second 25-22 as the Mixed Nuts team fought back. The Lizards' formidable blocks and accurate spikes won out though, as they took the last set 15-12. Their championship win marks the fourth in a row for the Lizards and seven total as their cohesive front six proved yet again they can hang with the best Tinker has to show. The Lizards finished 9-1 in the regular season and 13-1 overall, with their only loss coming at the hands of the Mixed Nuts in the final regular season match last week. "That was a really good team, they had some good hitters," Lizards team captain Patrick Steelman said. "We passed well all game and we played well, that's why we play together." The Lizards took on an injection of new players this season as several TDY operations and Steelman's season-ending knee injury put them in need of fresh hitters. But the team showed its knack for success even with the change in its time-tested roster. The Mixed Nuts finished their regular season 9-0 going into the tournament but dropped an early match in the double elimination tournament. As such, the Mixed Nuts needed to best the Lizards (who were undefeated in tournament play) in two separate games Tuesday night to secure a championship title. Steelman said his squad is excited about their win and he expects the all-civilian team to be back again next year, digging, bumping and of course, leaping, its way toward prolonging the dynasty.