Bump, set, spike!

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tori Schultz
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla.-- --  One of our very own was selected to play for the Air Force indoor volleyball team and compete in the USA Volleyball Open National Championship tournament held in Detroit, Michigan, May 22-27, 2015.

Capt. Erin Flaherty, 6th Medical Group primary care manager, was hand selected by the Air Force volleyball coach to attend try outs at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.

"Camp was designed to test us, and it did!" exclaimed Flaherty. "And the elevation at Peterson AFB didn't make things any easier."

Flaherty has been on a volleyball team since she was five years old and played all the way through college. She joined the Air Force in 2011 and during a civilian doubles volleyball tournament, one of Flaherty's opponents told her about the Air Force volleyball team which inspired her to try out.

"Playing volleyball is always a lot of fun, but outside of school, it's very rare to have the opportunity to represent a team," said Flaherty. "Having 'Air Force' on my jersey was a huge motivation and the thought of a temporary duty assignment to play volleyball for eight hours each day for three weeks didn't sound too bad either:"

The only things going through Flaherty's mind on the court are trust in her teammates and getting the ball to the setter.

"Honestly, I try not to think on the court," said Flaherty. "Volleyball teams are successful when you are able to anticipate what your opponent is going to do and the pace is so fast, there's not much time to think!"

The team finished second in the Armed Forces Tournament and finished tenth out of 30th overall.