Shirts defeat Airmen in volleyball

Master Sgt. Patrick Piazza, 48th Communications Squadron first sergeant, soars high to spike the ball after a pass by teammate Master Sgt. Rafael Chacon, 48th Operations Group first sergeant, during the Airman Leadership School versus first sergeants volleyball game at the RAF Lakenheath Fitness Center June 11. The first sergeants came away victorious winning all four games. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Connor Estes)

Shirts defeat Airmen in volleyball

Master Sgt. Shane Sanders, 48th Logistics Readiness Squadron first sergeant, serves the ball to Airman Leadership School Class 10-F during a volleyball match at the RAF Lakenheath Fitness Center June 11. The first sergeants continued their winning ways beating ALS four games to none. It has become Lakenheath tradition for each ALS class to play volleyball against the first sergeants. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Connor Estes)

First sergeants spike ALS

Published June 14, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Connor Estes
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England -- Airman Leadership School class 2010-10F graduates June 16, but before they come to the end of their term, the class took on the first sergeants in a volleyball game at the RAF Lakenheath base gym June 11.

The games have become tradition in which the first sergeants dominate ALS students and own bragging rights based on the number of wins.

"The three years since I've been stationed here, we've won every game except one," said Master Sgt. Patrick Piazza, 48th Communications Squadron first sergeant. "That loss was because the first sergeants didn't have enough people, so ALS won by default."

At the end of the day, tradition continued and the first sergeants dominated ALS again winning four games to zero.

"You get use to winning," said Sergeant Piazza. "I don't think ALS will ever win, but there's always hope."

According to some ALS students, practice makes all the difference in the world.

"The first sergeants practice all the time; we only have this one game to play together, that's why it's hard to beat them," said Senior Airman Derek Johnson, 48th Component Maintenance Squadron aerialspace propulsion journeyman.

Even though the volleyball match is competitive, and both sides play for bragging rights, the game has a greater connection.

"It's a way for these future first-line enlisted supervisors to network and build camaraderie with a great source of knowledge," said Tech. Sgt Danny Taylor, 48th Force Support Squadron ALS instructor. "Many Airmen aren't aware how approachable, how much help and how much information their first sergeants have. We hope this game can build those relationships and show a different side to the first sergeants."