Two Airmen ‘spike it’ in sand

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Two Airmen dive onto the sand at Luke Air Force Base March 29 to Monday as they prepare for the Armed Forces beach volleyball tournament.

The Armed Forces men's and women's beach volleyball championship is a single round-robin competition where teams must win two of three sets in a match to win.

With approximately 25 years of combined experience Senior Airman Kristiana Scott, 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs broadcast journalist, Davis-Monthan AFB, Tucson, and 2nd Lt. Katie Batchelder, 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs chief of media relations, Travis AFB, Calif., believe they will be competitive during the tournament.

"I've been a strictly defensive specialist during my career and Batchelder has great skills around the net," Scott said. "With us having different talents, I believe we'll be a good balance feeding off of each other."

During the practices, the Airmen are focusing on the fundamentals of volleyball.

"This is their first time playing beach doubles," said Maj. John Napier, Det. 027 Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps. "We've started from the basics and have progressed into more complex training during the two weeks here."

Although the pair will not be able to see their opponents until they arrive at the tournament April 10 to 15 at Naval Station Mayport, Fla., the team believes they are prepared to face any challengers who come their way.

"It's exciting to have been selected to represent our bases and the Air Force," Batchelder said. "We're going to stay focused on the fundamentals to make sure we are competitive as we face the other services."