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Overcast Long Beach sets lofty goals
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Long Beach junior Jessica Amen keeps the ball in play during last Saturday's tournament, won by the Lady Marines.
Frank Koester/Herald
With its first-ever host tournament title in tow, Long Beach renews its volleyball rivalry with Massapequa at home on Monday at 5 p.m.
The nine-time defending Nassau Class AA champion Lady Chiefs are still the team to beat according to Long Beach coach Kerri Rehnback, who believes last year’s playoff success and runner-up finish will serve the Lady Marines well.
“We returned most of our team and had a strong season last year,” Rehnback said. “Massapequa is always going to be the team to beat, but we set our goals high. We arguably have the best player, the best setter and the best server in the county, so we expect to be right there if we stay healthy and play up to our potential.”
So far, so good.
Long Beach won its own tournament for the first time in five years last Saturday and takes a 5-0 Conference I record into Thursday’s match against Baldwin. “I like what I’ve seen so far,” Rehnback said. “We’ve always been a strong serving team and our passing has gotten significantly better compared to last year. We were phenomenal in the tournament.”
Junior outside hitter Chelsea Braga, already a four-year starter and an All-State selection in 2008, had 54 kills and 40 digs and was named Tournament MVP. “Chelsea’s maturing as an athlete and a person,” Rehnback said. “She’s brought her defense to another level to go with her great offensive game. She’s our rock on the court.”
Senior Sydney Folk stockpiled 100 assists in the tournament and is as talented a setter as there is in Nassau. She was Honorable Mention All-County last fall. “She’s crafty, and she makes things happen when it looks impossible for us to get the point,” Rehnback said.
Most opponents will find it impossible to return serves from senior Haley Birnbaum, an All-County middle hitter who totaled 20 aces in the tournament. “She’s probably the best senior athlete in the school,” Rehnback said. “She has tremendous mechanics and always gives 100 percent. Her serve is devastating and keeps other teams off the net.”
While Braga’s the go-to player on offense, junior Jessica Amen starts at right-side hitter and is a key to the attack. Sophomores Tricia Murphy and Halie Gates are both seeing time at outside hitter, and freshmen Katherine Myers and Jackie Zeppa provide size up front. In the back row, sophomore Kaley Coner is coming along nicely as the starting libero.
In last Saturday’s tournament, the Lady Marines went 5-1 in pool play and beat West Hempstead, the 2007 and ‘08 champion, Plainedge and St. Francis Prep to take the title. “It was a lot of volleyball in one day and all 15 of our girls got on the court,” Rehnback said. “Finally winning was nice. I think it gives us a boost of confidence heading into the tough part of the schedule.”
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