CISM STORIES

Stories & Photos compliments of Lance Cpl. Cory D. Polom

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (June 2, 2010) - Conseil International Du Sport Militaire, or CISM is known for introducing friendship through sports for our military men and women.

The 2010 CISM women's volleyball tournament ended with a great day of competition, held at the Marine Dome aboard Marine Corps Air Station cherry Point, N.C., June 1.

"The play that was brought about during this last week was some of the best I've seen at this level in a very long time." said Col Rinette Hulme, the official CISM Representative for the tournament.

The competitors performed their outmost hoping to bring home the gold, but Brazil was too much for all the teams to handle as they went 6-0 winning every set they palyed to take the gold.

"The sportsman ship that each team showed was great," said Hulme. "The high quality of play and the close bonds that these athletes created made for a great CISM tournament."

Although sports can get competitive, CISM players maintained their fellowship and demonstrated how team players should play and act throughout the tournament.

"This tournament is about bringing together militaries from different countries as a way to show that we are not all that different, and to help bring about a peace about nations," said Col. Jorge Riberio, president of CISM volleyball committee.

Bringing these countries together helps us see the team spirit that each team brings to the world games.

"The United States have a unique team spirit," said Hulme. "Whether it is good or bad that happens to them they always have a lot of energy and a happy attitude."

After the final games were completed, the athletes changed into their countries military dress uniforms and met at the Station Theater for the awards ceremony and awarding of medals.

"The tournament was outstanding and congratulations to all the athletes who both won and who didn't you all did an amazing job," said Col. Douglas A. Denn, the Commanding Officer for Cherry Point. "When you all go back to your respective countries I hope you take with you the bonds of friendship that you made this week, along with a great memory or two about your stay aboard Cherry Point."

Brazil beat Germany in the finals and Netherlands took home the Bronze with a surprising third place finish over Italy. USA ended up fifth with Canada Sixth. Canada won the Fair Play Trophy for exhibiting the best sportsmanship and exemplifying the CISM motto of Friendship thru Sport on and off the court.

Brazil brings double dose of domination

Brazil's women's volleyball team brings an exciting pair

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (June 4, 2010) - "It is the first time in my 10 years in CISM (Counseil International du Sport Militaire) that I've seen identical twins in a team sport at a high stage such as CISM," said Suba Saty, the Armed Forces Sports Secretariat and USA liaison to CISM.

At the 2010 CISM Women's Volleyball Championships held at the Marine Dome Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, May 26 - June 1, the Brazilian team presented their roster with two athletes matching last names.

The two girls' names are Michelle and Monique Marinho Pavao. They are identical twins born only one minute apart and both are very strong players.

"Having my sister on the team helps a lot," said Monique, the older sister. "I help her out and she helps me out. While we have to learn what our teammates will do in certain situations, we already know exactly what each other will do when a ball is hit."

The girls have both been playing for about 12 years now and they are both playing in their first CISM tournament.

"This is the first time we have been deployed from our units," said Michelle. "We are both in the Brazilian Army and have not seen combat yet, however, the competition that we have seen here has been combat for us."

Although the girls did not start often they both racked up some playing time during their first visit to this big stage.

The two scored a combined total of 34.5 points, and both played in 15 sets of the 18 sets that Brazil played in.

According to Monique, outside of volleyball these two hard hitting sisters enjoy just about all the same things; they enjoy beach shopping and hanging out with friends. They said the only thing that makes them different is that one has boyfriend.

"We are very honored to be playing for Brazil," said Michelle. "We are enjoying the competition here at the CISM tournament and we can't wait to finish this year and move onto the 2011 World Military Games. Brazil is hosting them and I am going to fight just as hard as I did this year to get onto the team and also to get a starting spot so I can blast the nets more next year."

Age is not factor

Master Gunnery Sergeant does not let age slow her down

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CHERRY POINT, N.C. (June 4, 2010) - Athletes compete at all ages, but the majority tend to excel when they are young and limber. Then there are the exceptions to the rule, the athletes whom persevere through age, through injury and through life, to continually compete with the young athletes at a professional level.

For team USA in the 2010 Counseil International du Sport Militaire Women's Volleyball Championships, a master gunnery sergeant was the athlete unlike the others.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Charissa Howard, 45 years old, just competed in her sixth CISM tournament, taking place at Cherry Point in the marine Dome, May 26-June 1.

"I have been playing volleyball since I was in the 7th grade," said Howard. "I remember watching Kim Oden play for the USA team back in the early 80's and that was my motivation to get better."

Coming into her sixth CISM, Howard knew that her teammates were going to be leaning on her for her leadership qualities as well as her blocking abilities.

"I work hard so my team can see how hard I am playing and pushing myself," said Howard. "That way they think, well at her age she is running hard, and jumping high that means I can too."

Howard strives to be the best she can in order to help her team, when she sees her teammates step up and take matters into their own hands to help better the team, it motivates her.

"I get excited when my teammates do something great that I didn't see coming," said Howard. "For instance, when Rusty, Christine Rostowfske (team captain), was told to move from setter to outside hitter she didn't question it all all and just came out swinging. That inspired me to be better and the very next set I did just that. I had a lot more blocks then usual and it pushed my team to help Rusty and I win our first set in the 2010 CISM."

Most would not even notice that Howard was in her 40's by the way she plays the game.

"I didn't even realize that she was in her 40's" said Suba Saty, the Armed Forces Sports Secretariat and USA liaison to CISM. "She looks a lot younger for her competitive spirit was evident on the court. It goes to show that age is not a factor but it is the heart that matters."