By TONY BELLISSIMO
It was the first time in school history we reached the final, said coach Karen Bloom, who guided the Lady Marines to an overall record of 16-4. It was something that was new to all the girls and we had nothing to be ashamed about losing to a great Massapequa team.
Long Beach has reason to be confident about its chances of following the boys' volleyball team's county title in the spring. After all, its roster is loaded with experienced players and leaders, including senior All-County selections Beverly Rivera and Liz Mitchell.
We have the potential to be better than we were last year, Bloom said. I think we have more diversity on offense and a little more depth.
The weapons are plentiful, starting with the seniors. Rivera, a middle hitter/blocker, is approaching the program's career blocks record and could reach it by mid-season. She's also a consistently strong hitter who can pass. Beverly can do it all, Bloom said.
Mitchell will do most of her hitting on the outside along with seniors Emma Mahnken and Charlotte Hayes. They provide plenty of options for junior Rebecca Rodger, the primary setter, and senior Jessica Henck, who also sets.
Our offense was predictable at times last year, Bloom said. I don't think that's going to be the case anymore because we'll be able to hit from anywhere on the court.
Other key contributors will be senior Mary Potamousis (defense, setting), junior Kim Braga (middle hitter/blocker) and sophomore Lindsay Brant (middle hitter), to name a few.
The Lady Marines opened the campaign on a positive note by sweeping East Meadow in three games. They were one of only two teams to beat us last year, Bloom said. It was a nice way to start the season.
According to Bloom, defending champ Massapequa will be tough to dethrone, and Calhoun and Plainview are two teams on the rise.
The girls are focused to get back to the final, she said. I think we'd all consider the season a disappointment if we get that far.
