Armed Forces Championship (M&F)	20-27 May 04, Fort Lewis, WA
	CISM Championship (M&F)	10-22 Jun 04, Kingston, Canada

Army team taking home Gold in the women's competition and Navy took the Gold in the men's competition.

By Sgt. Jeremy Heckler
Northwest Guardian
20-27 May 04, Fort Lewis, WA

Soldiers and sailors took center stage during the All-Armed Forces Volleyball competition held last week on Fort Lewis , with the Army team taking home Gold in the women's competition and Silver in the men's.

The Navy took the Gold in the men's competition.

The All-Army women's team went undefeated in the round-robin tournament against the best their fellow service members had to offer. Marines had to combine with the Navy women since they did not have enough females.

“It's about time,” said Capt. Cassandra Summers, who came from Korea to play for the team. “ I've played on this team for four years and each time we came up short.”

Summers said she and her fellow team members just clicked during the first day on competition and allowed them to be successful.

“Everyone knew their role here and how their part fit in the team,” said 1 st Lt. Katie Konkel, a member of the 11the Air Attack Helicopter Battalion, from Ansbach , Germany .

Following the tournament an all star team was named, as well as a team to represent the United States in the International Military Sports Council (CISM) tournament scheduled for Kingston , Canada (9-22 Jun). Army and Navy each had three players named to the All-Star team, with the Air Force taking the final two positions. Due to military missions worldwide, not everyone who was named an all-star team will be able to compete at the international level.

In the men's draw, Navy used an early setback against Air Force as a turning point that focused them on the title.

“Our loss to Air Force really turned us around because we lost our composure and the way we played was not characteristic of a Navy team,” said Gary Kamimori, coach of the all-Navy team.

The team remained consistent and concentrated on their goal — sweeping their final five matches.

“We had enough of a core come back from last year and provide leadership and experience to this team,” said Kamimori.

Navy's experience in match play allowed them to repeatedly bounce back and seize the advantage after rallies by their opposition.

“It's nice to have six solid guys who have really jelled together,” said Jeff Ernsberger, from Naval Airbase Little Creek and a veteran of 10 all-Navy teams. In addition to winning the title, Ernsberger earned a spot on men's all-star team, along with two of his teammates. Each service was represented on the all-star squad.

The men's international team will have four Soldiers, three Marines, two airmen and three sailors.

“A lot of (the all stars) can't travel on, due to missions — and most of our starters can't go on, which is tough for the CISM team,” said Ernsberger.

After the tournament, both the men and women's teams began training for the CISM competition here at Fort Lewis .

The Final Record for the Men was:

1 st Place USN 5-1

* 2 nd Place USA 3-3

3 rd Place USAF 3-3

Foruth and USMC 1-5

* USA was second due to better head to head record against USAF

The Final Record for the Women was:

1 st Place USA 4-0

* 2 nd Place USAF 1-3

3 rd Place USN/USMC 1-3

*USAF was second due to better head to head record against USN/USMC

Women's All-Star Team

Chief Warrant Officer Melanie C. Hunter, Fort Wainwright , Alaska

1 st Lt. Beth Bellinger, Fort Wainwright , Alaska

2 nd Lt. Tamara Luckmeyer Altus AFB, Texas

Lt. Lauren Nielsen Fleet Hospital Fort Schuyler

Ensign Mallia Witherspoon United States Naval Academy

Capt. Cassandra Summers, Korea

2 nd Lt. Sarah Kotte, United States Air Force Academy

Lt. Katie Sheldon, United States Naval Academy

Women's CISM Team

1 st Lt. Beth Bellinger, Fort Wainwright , Alaska

2 nd Lt. Tamara Luckmeyer Altus AFB, Texas

Spc. Katherine Hackley, Korea

1 st Lt. Katherine Konkel, Ansbach , Germany

Chief Warrant Officer Melanie C. Hunter, Fort Wainwright , Alaska

Cpt. Trang Nguyen, Tripler Army Medical Center , Hawaii

Pfc. Maggie Posson, White Sands, N.M.

Lt. Kelly Kennedy, Operational Test and Evaluation Force

Cpl. Rebecca Stover, 1 st Forward Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

Sgt. Katrina Marklevits 13 th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Camp Pendleton , Calif.

Lt. Kerry Karwan, MSO Houston , Galveston , Texas

2 nd Lt. Gina Marino, Scott AFB, Ill.

Head Coach Mr. Dick Worthy, Army, Fort Lewis , WA

Asst Coach, Mr. Walter Anchors, Libson OH

Trainer, Ms. Sara Smith, Ft Monmouth , NJ

Team Capt, Capt Karrie Morton, Ft Bliss, TX

Men's All-Star Team

Sgt. Jason Janda, Fort Hood , Texas

Sgt. 1 st Class Rey Javier, Camp Murray , Wash.

Senior Chief Jeff Ernsberger, Naval Air Base, Little Creek

Chief John Goings, HSL-42

Seaman John Mills, Andrews AFB Md.

Pfc. Sean Bzdon, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego , Calif.

Staff Sgt. Jason McDonald, Dyess AFB, Texas

Men's CISM Team

Sgt. Silao Illimaleota, Fort Lewis , Wash.

Spc. Erik Lanham, Fort Bragg , N.C.

Sgt. 1 st Class Rey Javier, Camp Murray , Wash.

Pfc. Sean Bzdon, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego , Calif.

Staff Sgt. Jason McDonald, Dyess AFB, Texas

Lt. Sean Burke, United States Naval Academy

1 st Lt. Matthew Fix, Fort Campbell , Ky.

Cpl. Jacob Hayes, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point , N.C.

Pfc. Angel Walker, Marine Corps Det., Pensacola , Fla.

Staff Sgt. Kyle Klinger, Hurlburt Field , Fla.

Seaman John Mills, Andrews AFB Md.

Head Coach Mr. Peter Cruz, United States Marine Corps, MCAS Cherry Point , NC

Asst Coach GYSGT Kevin Gould, Marine Corps, MCAS Cherry Point , NC

Trainer, SPC Ryan Rodreiguez, Ft Lewis , WA

Team Capt, Mr. Dale Eichhorst, Ft Lewis , WA

Navy, Air Force win Armed Forces Volleyball Championships.
2003
Armed Forces Volleyball Championship Results.
2003
Navy Women, Air Force Men Triumph at Armed Forces Volleyball.
09/14/2002
Armed Forces Volleyball Championship Results.
2002
U.S. Women's Armed Forces Volleyball Championships.
2001
Servicemembers Battle over 2001 Armed Forces Volleyball Tournament.
05/17/2001
2001 Armed Forces Volleyball Box Scores.
05/17/2001
MCAGCC Spikes Pendleton To Win Volleyball Crown.
04/20/2001