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Bill Hohlfelder, an assistant volleyball coach for the Fair Oaks Slammers, is surrounded by members of the Flying Bananas after a volleyball game in which the two teams have squared off.

Hohlfelder, 86, and his Slammer teammates are residents of the Sunrise of Fair Oaks Retirement Community. The Flying Bananas, on the other hand, range in age from 9 to 12, and are members of Girl Scout Troop 5177 in Chantilly.

After a closely contested match -- that the Flying Bananas won, 11-6 -- Hohlfelder is enjoying the company of his opponents.

"Being with young kids, that rejuvenates us," he said. "They have a lot of enthusiasm. That's good. That's what we need from the younger kids."

Sunrise of Fair Oaks activities director Betsy Kiker agrees with Hohlfelder's assessment, adding that bringing different generations together "is a mission of ours." In recent weeks, youngsters from area schools have visited Sunrise of Fair Oaks to make crafts, participate in a Halloween sing-a-long and volunteer on a variety of fronts.

Troop 5177 members have been working on their bronze award, which recognizes community service, for the past year, and like to work with the elderly, according to Troop Leader Josie Baxter. Their Nov. 23 match with the Slammers was their first; Hohlfelder said he hopes it is not the last.

"You come back and see us," Hohlfelder said to the girls as they prepared to leave.

The volleyball match, coordinated by Slammers coach Laura Reynolds, had slightly different rules than usual. Two rows of chairs -- three in the front, four in the back -- were set up on each side of the net. Players were not allowed to get out of the chairs and a balloon was the substitute for the volleyball. The girl scouts wore gloves and sunglasses to counteract the advantage of youth.

"How many points are you going to spot us?" Hohlfelder asked the girls before the match.

"None," the girls fired back.

After a quick birthday song for Slammers' middle blocker Marguerite Zillotti, who turned 97 the day of the match, the game was on. Despite a valiant effort by Hohlfelder and co-captains Zillotti and Dixie Maier, 85, the Slammers were outmatched by their younger opponents.

After the game, Hohlfelder hinted that the game wasn't necessarily the Slammers' fullest effort.

"Being the seniors, we had to give them a little bit," he said with a wry smile. "That makes them feel better."

Zillotti had a slightly different postgame analysis.

"We need a little practice," she said.

Reynolds, who is in her third year as a caregiver with Home Instead Senior Care in Reston, was hired to work with Zillotti. This summer, she decided to start a volleyball team with Zillotti and the residents at Sunrise.

The team practices on Thursday afternoons, but has had trouble finding an opponent.

"The last two Thursdays, we were supposed to have a team come and play us, but they called and canceled. They said because of the rain, but I'm not too sure," she said. "I think because of our reputation. The Flying Bananas were the first team brave enough to come out."

As the scouts packed up their belongings and headed to the elevator, Hohlfelder remained in his chair, taking a moment to recover from the excitement.

"They outplayed us," he admitted. "We aren't playing for any money or gold medals or anything. We just do it to pass the time away -- and we enjoy it."