Kent Harris

Mikyla Harkley hasn't been an Aviano Saint for very long. But the junior who just transferred in from New Mexico made up for lost time Saturday, Sept. 14, 2019, with a handful of key plays in the Saints' three-set victory over Rota.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Coaches see plenty of room for improvement after early volleyball matchup

Aviano hosts American Overseas School of Rome and Rota for five weekend matches and everyone comes away with positives and plenty to work on.

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Aviano's Payne Varnum fires a pitch towards catcher Nick Smith in the Saints' 16-1 victory over Ansbach on Friday, March 29, 2019.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Aviano sweeps Ansbach in day marred by injury

Saints win 16-1 in mercy-rule victory, then walk off with a 20-7 triumph in second game stopped short after scary incident.

Naples' Ashton Jeanty goes to the basket for two of his 13 points in the Wildcats' 51-44 loss to the Aviano Saints on Friday, Feb. 1, 2019.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Naples girls roll, while Aviano boys prevail

Wildcat girls win sixth straight game, while Saints boys remain unbeaten in Italy.

Stuttgart's Wade Cooper defends against Naples' Ashton Jeanty in the Wildcats' 46-44 victory on Friday, Dec. 7, 2018.<br>Norman Llamas/Stars and Stripes

Many D-I boys games are tossups so far

Vicenza edges Vilseck and Naples tops Stuttgart in latest round of close games involving teams that want to contend for large-school championship.

Want a rack of ribs and a baked potato? The Roadhouse restaurant in Conegliano serves both seven days a week.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Roadhouse restaurant near Aviano should satisfy carnivores

I had dined at the Roadhouse chain of restaurants before while visiting the Tiare shopping mall near Villesse just a few miles from the Italian border with Slovenia.

One of several parts of the Lemene river winds its way through downtown Portogruaro, Italy, under a bridge festooned in fall colors.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

europe quick trips

Portogruaro combines historical buildings, modern shopping close to Aviano Air Base

Plenty of Americans assigned to Aviano Air Base know the Italian city of Portogruaro because of where it leads.The city of about 25,000 is more than just a landmark, it's also a great city for shopping.

Aviano's Kohl Mattes sacks Rota quarterback Wesley Penta before he gets rid of the ball in the Saints' 22-14 victory on Saturday.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Saints get the best of Rota in this round

Teams that have met three times in the past two years might meet again - for title - if Saturday's highly competitive game is indicator.

Naples' Lena Dieryckx bumps the ball during the Wildcats' volleyball matchup with Kaiserslautern on Friday, Sept. 14, 2018.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Teams start off season by testing each other and themselves

Ramstein outlasts Vicenza and Naples takes down Kaiserslautern in first day of D-I battles between schools north and south of Alps.

Oniga, a restaurant in Venice, Italy, has a small main dining area that seat a few dozen people. There's room for almost that many more outside in good weather.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Oniga one of the better restaurants in Venice

There is no shortage of restaurants in Venice, a city that’s on just about every checklist for those visiting Italy.

The Vicenza Cougars line up during a recent football practice at Caserma Ederle, Italy.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Vicenza football in rebuilding mode again

Almost half the 35 players who came out who took the field before school started are freshmen.

Aviano senior Giacomo Fabbro follows through on a kick in practice under the eyes of assistant coach Ken McNeely.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

New players will have to fill roles for Saints to repeat successful season

Only a handful of players return from last year’s squad that went 6-0 in the regular season before losing to Rota 26-21 in the Division II semifinals.

Along the paths of Parco di Villa Varda in Italy, there are dozens of benches for those wanting to take a break from a jog or just relax with a book or gadget - parts of the park offer free Wi-Fi.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

europe quick trips

Parks and regulations: Park near Aviano is peaceful with miles of trails

Parco di Villa Varda near Aviano Air Base offers opportunities for exercise, relaxation and sightseeing — just don't bring your dog or bike.

Grotte Caglieron wasn't that crowded during a recent weekend visit, though it's likely to get more visitors when work is completed to restore more access and when summer vacations start.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

europe quick trips

Keeping its cool: Lesser-known Grotte Caglieron an easy distance from Aviano

Italy’s most famous sites — such as the Colosseum in Rome, the Grand Canal in Venice and Pompeii — are famous around the world. But it’s not that difficult to live in the country for years and find lesser-known venues that you’ve never heard of, much less discovered. Grotte Caglieron is one of those places.

Chicken tikka tandoor at Ristorante Shahi Qila in Sacile, Italy, features chunks of spicy chicken and cabbage.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Pakistani restaurant near Pordenone, Italy, packs a spicy punch

There aren’t a lot of options around Aviano Air Base for those looking for a place to eat out that doesn’t serve Italian, American(ish) or Chinese food.

A pararescueman from the 57th Rescue Squadron glides down toward a grassy patch between sections of the runway at Aviano Air Base, Italy, on Tuesday, June 5, 2018. The 56th and 57th officially become a part of the 31st Fighter Wing next week after moving from RAF Lakenheath in England.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

GALLERY

Aviano’s newest airmen parachute in ahead of unit ceremonies

The airmen assigned to the newest units of the 31st Fighter Wing won’t all be parachuting onto base like the five that jumped on Tuesday, though dozens more probably could do that.

Spangdahlem ace Max Little watches his pitch approach home plate in the Sentinels' 6-4 victory over Aviano on Saturday, May 12, 2018.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Spangdahlem stays perfect in division by edging Aviano

Sentinels are 5-0 in Division II play, but should face plenty of challenges in small, but competitive field in championships.

Vicenza's Bethany Williams is tagged out by Naples' Emily Kras at third base on Friday, May 11, 2018.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Raiders cross Alps and conquer Italian foes

Kaiserslautern improves to 8-2 in Division I by scoring 45 times in games against Naples and Vicenza.

This dish of almond chicken was served during a recent visit to Tai Ji Food Fusion Restaurant in Aviano, Italy. As is typical in Chinese restaurants in Italy, if you order a dish such as almond chicken, that's essentially what you get. Don't expect vegetables unless you're ordering vegetables.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Tai Ji Food Fusion Restaurant gets a fresh start in Aviano

Their restaurant is technically the newest in town, having opened its doors just about three months ago. But Zheng Junling and Ying Wei are no strangers to the restaurant business in Aviano.

Sigonella's Jessica Jacobs tosses the ball toward home while throwing a no-hitter against Hohenfels on Saturday, April 28, 2018. The Jaguars won 10-0.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Jacobs, Sigonella go 4-0 in four-team event

Jaguars improve to 11-1 on the softball season and could be favored to defend their European title.

Vicenza's Jesse Samsel creates a nice cloud of dust while sliding into third base, but Vilseck's Jordan Leighty tags him out in the Falcons' 6-3 victory on Friday, April 27, 2018.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Some teams appear more armed for success

Stuttgart and Vilseck emerge from first day with pair of victories over Italian rivals Naples and Vicenza.

Lake Barcis, a mountain lake about a half hour's drive from Aviano Air Base, is known for its turquoise-hued water.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

europe quick trips

Barcis, Italy, offers uncrowded hiking trails and scenery at the foot of the Dolomites

Spring has sprung in Northern Italy, and that means the mountain bikes and hiking boots have come out of storage. For those in shape — or those who want to get in shape quickly (not recommended) — the Dolomites north and east of Aviano Air Base beckon.

American Overseas School of Rome's Denise Rapp fires a shot over a wall of Aviano defenders in the Falcons 3-1 victory over the Saints on Saturday, April 21, 2018.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

AOSR, Marymount continue to handle the competition

The two Rome-based schools have spent most of the past decade facing off in the title game and it would take an upset to keep them from doing so again this season.

The ball leaves the foot of Vicenza's Grace Bello and heads toward the goal Vilseck keeper Mia Chon during a successful penalty kick on Friday, Apriil 20, 2018, in Vicenza, Italy.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Vicenza girls find net again and again against Vilseck

Stuttgart girls and boys and Vilseck boys get narrow victories in other action in annual north-south matchups.

Little evidence is left at the traffic circle on the SS-13 (Via Aquileia) where a U.S. servicemember reportedly lost control of his vehicle in the early morning hours of Feb. 28, 2018, and struck four cars parked in the lot that serves the Al Laghetto bar and restaurant in Pordenone, Italy.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

Aviano airmen charged in hit-and-run accident

Police said the driver’s BMW 330 approached a traffic circle at high speed, lost control and hit four cars in the parking lot. A person in the back seat of one of the four cars sustained minor injuries.

A C-130 from the 86th Airlift Wing at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, passes over Aviano Air Base, Italy, on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018, after taking part in a rare jump onto the base itself.<br>Kent Harris/Stars and Stripes

57th Rescue Squadron drops in for a bird’s-eye view of Aviano

The 57th Rescue Squadron doesn’t officially move to Aviano Air Base in Italy from its home in England until later this year. But that didn’t stop some personnel from exploring their new digs this week.