RAF ALCONBURY, England — The Ramstein men’s and women’s volleyball teams wrapped up U.S. Air Forces in Europe championships on Friday with victories at RAF Alconbury.
The men beat RAF Lakenheath 25-14, 25-12, 25-16 for their fifth straight USAFE title. The women swept Mildenhall 25-12, 25-17, 25-18 for their fourth in a row.
Lani Kekahuna, a setter on the women’s team, said Ramstein’s greatest strength was its deft passing touch, which enabled the team to roll through the weeklong tournament with one game lost.
For the men, team cohesion was the key, according to player Kenny “Mini-Ken” Hill. He said the squad, which did not drop a set in the tournament, had already set its goal for next year: “Our sixth win.”
The tournament began Monday with the two teams with the best records in round-robin play meeting in Friday’s finals. There were seven men’s teams and six women’s in the tournament.
USAFE volleyball All-tournament teams
Men: Ken Schrom, Joey Perez and Chris James, Ramstein; Chris Milby, Kris Hickey and Ryan Mozingo, Lakenheath; Thomas Kelly, Aviano; Mark Spence of 501st Combat Support Wing, Mildenhall; Andres Rodrigues, Spangdahlem; and Richard Shipman, Incirlik.
Women: Jen Penczar, Brie Zillhardt, Zorka Perez and Tracy King, Ramstein; Monique Beckman and Tanya Dalrymple, Mildenhall; Kristy Holden and Michaela Giancarlo, Spangdahlem; Chandra Green, Aviano; and Krysta DeHoet, 501st 501st Combat Support Wing, Mildenhall.
