Love for the game

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tori Schultz
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  "I can't explain how grateful I am to have had this opportunity to play on a great team with great girls," said Senior Airman Jessica Gonzalez, 6th Security Forces Squadron entry controller and U.S. Special Operations Command Rover. "I hope I will be accepted again next year and continue to play."

Gonzalez joined the Air Force June 2013 and heard about the Air Force indoor volleyball team from a fellow intramural teammate and applied in hopes of making the team.

"I have been playing club volleyball since fifth grade and continued to play for California High School and Pasadena City College," said Gonzalez. "I made it to try outs and I can easily say that it was the most challenging try out I have ever been through."

Fortunately, Gonzalez made it through try outs, and was one out 14 people to make the team and play in the USA Volleyball Open National Championship in Detroit, Michigan, May 22-27, 2015.

The tournament lasted three days, with the Air Force team finishing with silver and placing 10th out of over 20 teams.

Gonzalez continues to play volleyball with her intramural team, Average Joes, and also plays pick-up games at the beach.

"Volleyball has always been something that I love to do and has always been an outlet for me," said Gonzalez. "It brings me peace and joy and is much more than a sport. I love it."