FORT LEE, Va. (Aug. 18, 2011) -- Staff Sgt. Shennika "Nikki" Prentice is going for broke.

At 37 years old with 18 years of military service under her belt, she's putting it all on the line for a chance to win a spot on the All Army Women's Softball Team. The trial camp gets underway Wednesday at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa.

"Anything's possible," said the Wilmington, N.C. native assigned to Bravo Company-Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 59th Ordnance Brigade.

Considering the prospect that she may have to compete against Soldiers nearly half her age, one might be inclined to ask, 'How so?'"

"With a lot of prayer and my confidence," she said.

Prentice, who has played intramural ball most of her military career, gained that confidence six years ago when her play garnered admiration from an unlikely source.

"Another coach suggested I try out for the team," said Prentice. "He suggested to my coach that I put in an application packet at the time."

Boosted by the recommendation, Prentice went about pursuing a place on the roster but injuries and deployments kept her from taking further steps. She has been injury-free the last couple of years and being assigned to the Ordnance School has kept her from deployments. The time is right, she said.

"It's something I want to do," said Prentice. "If I don't make it, just having opportunity to compete, of being selected to attend the camp, is good enough for me."

Prentice will bring a big bat and good base-running speed to the trials. As a member of the post team during the past spring and summer, she said she averaged about .800, the result of working with two former All Army players over the past two months. Eddie Parker, Fort Lee's recreational supervisory specialist and a former All Army player and coach, said he witnessed the improvement firsthand.

"Nikki has a lot of potential," he said.

Potential aside, Parker also said that earning a spot on the team won't come easy, and Prentice is likely to face a grueling test of stamina in doing so.

"The key to making the team is performing while you're tired," he said. "They practice three times a day, and the temperatures range from 90-93 degrees. You get tired, so you've got to have good stamina."

On top of that, Parker said, she will have to beat out the veterans, many of whom are returning from the 2010 team that earned the Armed Forces title.

Still, he said Prentice has a chance to beat them out.

"There's always that possibility," said Parker.

Prentice said she's ready for the experience and mature enough to accept the results, however it turns out.

"It's a great opportunity, and I'm looking forward to the challenge," she said.

The trial camp concludes Sept. 16. Those who make the team will represent the Army in the Armed Forces softball tourney scheduled Sept. 17-22 at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla.