Sons of Thunder 2 used back-to-back wins to advance to the quarterfinals of the single-elimination intramural dodge-ball playoffs on Monday night in the Field House.

Thunder defeated the DodgeFathers, 8-2, then beat Hesstosterone in a sudden-death thriller, 8-7.

Having to play two games back-to-back wasn’t an issue for the Sons of Thunder, said team member Rob Lord; he said fatigue may have had some sort of effect, but the scheduling actually helped in the long run.

"I think just because we had the first game, we were a little more warmed up," the senior said. "We came out really strong initially [in the second game] and just held on for the win."

Teammate Tyler Brewer agreed, but he said having an extra person for substitution was equally important for the team’s success — especially against the DodgeFathers in the first match.

"I think it’s an advantage; just having a fourth person makes a huge difference, [because] our arms were feeling it," he said.

The DodgeFathers didn’t get to enjoy the luxury of an extra player; only a third of the team showed up.

"We have a nine-person team, and only three showed up," said team captain Greg O’Hara, a resident assistant who built his roster from the people on his floor. "Not having two of our bigger, stronger arms hurt. Your arms get tired playing eight games."

Although fatigue can come into play, there are other ways besides rotating personnel to help avoid it, Lord said.

"I also think picking our throws [helps with fatigue], too," he said. "I know the first game we were really anxious, and we were throwing a lot."

Hesstosterone brought a substitute and played smart dodge ball, but Sons of Thunder 2 jumped out to an early 5-1 lead. Hesstosterone stormed back and took six out of the next eight but fell short.

Lord attributed part of his team’s success to the different strategies the players used.

"We were trying to work the pump-fake in there a few times — I think it worked OK," he said. "Also, getting a one-two throw, too — getting them to move on the first one and hit them with the second when they’re frozen."

Sons of Thunder will face Pi Kappa Alpha in Wednesday’s quarterfinal, and Lord said he’s thinking ahead.

"Maybe Wednesday, we’ll slow it down a little bit, get control of the balls, and pick our throws a little better … to save our arms for the rest of the game," he said.