Paintball team beats national champions in home tournament

Liberty University’s paintball team went 4-0 on Saturday, dominating Kennesaw State and last year’s national champion, the University of Tennessee.

“Beating the national champs at home is a tremendous boost to the program, and going 4-0 on the season puts Liberty in first place,” said head coach Todd Hoglund. “It’s been a good first half of the season and a good look at the future.”

Liberty will play five more matches, which gives the team a great chance to place first in the division, Hoglund said. The Flames have come in fourth place at the national tournament the past two years. The 2012 national tournament will be held April 13-15 in Florida.

“We played really hard, and everybody was really supportive of the team,” said junior Neil Ebling, who is in his first season with the team. “We put out our best effort, and we saw the fruits of that effort.”

The paintball team was formed in 2005 and became a club program in 2008. Liberty plays in the Southeast Conference, which includes the University of Tennessee, Kennesaw State University and the University of Alabama.

“In the world of paintball, we’ve made our name. We have fans. … My goal is to be on the top,” said Hoglund, who has been with the team for four seasons. “There is one reason why we stand out, and that’s Christ.”

Tournament results – Nov. 12

Tennessee  6 – Kennesaw State 5 (OT)
Liberty 7 –  Kennesaw State 2
Liberty 11 –  Tennessee 4
Tennessee 6 –  Kennesaw State 5 (OT)
Liberty  8 –  Kennesaw State 2
Liberty 11–  Tennessee 2

• To view Liberty’s previous tournament appearances, go to the Club Sports website.