North Carolina State University Athletics
Holmes Leads USAF Women’s Volleyball Team to Championship in London
3/16/2016 11:41:00 AM | Women's Volleyball
NC State assistant coach serves as head coach for USAF women’s team
LONDON – NC State volleyball assistant coach Nicki Holmes recently led the United States Air Force women's team to the championship title last week at the 2016 HQ AirCom Volleyball Championships held in London, England.
The United Kingdom hosted the event, which featured Royal Air Force personnel competing against other nation's Air Force Teams.
"It was an amazing experience, not only from a professional standpoint but also from a personal standpoint," said Holmes. "I was able to reconnect with my Air Force roots and the wonderful members of the team allowed me to relive those times.
"Anytime you get an opportunity to coach internationally it's always a great experience and bonus professionally."
Holmes guided the USAF team to wins over the Royal Netherlands and the Royal Air Force on the first day of competition, winning each game 2-0 (Best of 3). The USAF defeated Poland, 2-0, and Germany, 2-1, on the second day of matches.
The USAF met Germany in the championship match on the third day of competition and earned a 3-0 victory in a best-of-five sets format to claim the 2016 HQ AirCom Volleyball Championship.
"It was a great moment when we won the championship, but it was also kind of sad because it ended the event," Holmes added. "But I think the team had a sense of excitement and relief with the delayed gratification.
"We accomplished this, hence we received this award, which was the championship. We focused on being better everyday, which became our mantra, and it was really cool to be able to accomplish our goal in such a short period of time."
After arriving in London, the team trained together at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath for a couple days to familiarize themselves with each other. The competition was held at the Royal Air Force Halton base, which is the sports training complex in London.
The team was composed of active members of the USAF or the Air Force reserves and resumed their usual jobs after the conclusion of the event.
Holmes earned his Bachelor of Science degree in general studies (Core Engineering Curriculum) from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force for seven years and was hand-selected to the premier space unit in the United States Military.
The United Kingdom hosted the event, which featured Royal Air Force personnel competing against other nation's Air Force Teams.
"It was an amazing experience, not only from a professional standpoint but also from a personal standpoint," said Holmes. "I was able to reconnect with my Air Force roots and the wonderful members of the team allowed me to relive those times.
"Anytime you get an opportunity to coach internationally it's always a great experience and bonus professionally."
Holmes guided the USAF team to wins over the Royal Netherlands and the Royal Air Force on the first day of competition, winning each game 2-0 (Best of 3). The USAF defeated Poland, 2-0, and Germany, 2-1, on the second day of matches.
The USAF met Germany in the championship match on the third day of competition and earned a 3-0 victory in a best-of-five sets format to claim the 2016 HQ AirCom Volleyball Championship.
"It was a great moment when we won the championship, but it was also kind of sad because it ended the event," Holmes added. "But I think the team had a sense of excitement and relief with the delayed gratification.
"We accomplished this, hence we received this award, which was the championship. We focused on being better everyday, which became our mantra, and it was really cool to be able to accomplish our goal in such a short period of time."
After arriving in London, the team trained together at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath for a couple days to familiarize themselves with each other. The competition was held at the Royal Air Force Halton base, which is the sports training complex in London.
The team was composed of active members of the USAF or the Air Force reserves and resumed their usual jobs after the conclusion of the event.
Holmes earned his Bachelor of Science degree in general studies (Core Engineering Curriculum) from the U.S. Air Force Academy. He served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force for seven years and was hand-selected to the premier space unit in the United States Military.
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