By AO2 Haley Ballard
NAS Jacksonville Public Affairs
For two weeks, the 2019 All Navy Men’s Volleyball team held their training camp in the Naval Air Station (NAS) Jacksonville gym in preparation for the annual Armed Forces Championship, which runs from March 6-8 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
It is the third consecutive year the men’s volleyball team has come to NAS Jacksonville to practice.
The team arrived Feb. 11 and stayed through March 5.
“I like helping these guys and I love volleyball. It’s really fun to watch them come together as a team each year,” said Bill Bonser, NAS Jacksonville sports coordinator.
Twelve players made the team to compete in the tournament, three of which are returning players from last year’s team.
One of the returnees is ABE1 Sheldon Lucius, who is currently based in Bremerton, Washington. “This is my fourth year playing. I really love the friendships you make and of course, playing volleyball!”
First year player, SN Sahvoy Irving, who is stationed at Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska, is the outsider on the team and actually enlisted in the Coast Guard. “I love playing volleyball with these guys, they treat me no differently than they would the other Sailors,” he said.
Third-year Head Coach William Berdecia said there is no limit to how long someone can be on the team; one player was on the team for 19 years before retiring three years ago.
The coach is very optimistic about this year’s tournament.
“We have a very good chance this year, great ball control and movement,” Berdecia said.
First year player Lt. Andrew Nop of Naval Medical Center San Diego, said he used to go and watch these tournaments every year and decided to try out. “I love being part of something so special and hope to come back next year too,” he said.
In addition to practicing every day, the team held several scrimmages with area volleyball teams.