MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- Sounds of cheering and slamming volleyballs echoed through the halls of Camp Pendleton’s Paige Field house during the Pendleton Cup’s opening night for the base Volleyball League, Sept. 22.

Marine Corps Community Services’ Pendleton Cup series provides active duty personnel, regardless of skill or experience, an opportunity to take part in a variety of competitive unit sports while competing for monetary prizes to be given to their respective units’ funds.

This year’s Volleyball League consists of seven teams; Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton, Supply Battalion, Marine Corps Air Station, Marine Wing Support Squadron 372, Marine Corps Installation West, Medical Battalion and 9th Communication’s Battalion.

“I have loved playing volleyball since I was in high school,” said Lance Cpl. Sanhareb Raben, administrative clerk, MCI West. “It’s even more fun when I get to play with the Marines I work with because it improves the morale of our unit.”

The Naval Hospital Camp Pendleton team came in first during this opening series, with a total of two wins and no losses. Supply Battalion followed with a single win and no losses, and the rest of the teams tied at one win, one loss.

The units that participate are awarded points toward the Pendleton Cup competition, and the winning teams get seeded higher for playoffs that are anticipated to occur toward the end of October.

“It’s a great way to create unit cohesion,” said Phillip Bryant, athletics coordinator, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton. “It gives the Marines and sailors, who participate with their respective units, something to brag about.”

The matches are scheduled to take place every Monday and Wednesday night and the next games of the series are scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6, at the Paige Fieldhouse. For more information about the Volleyball League or Pendleton Cup, call at 760-725-6614 or visit www.mccscp.com.