Long Beach digs for championship

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Long Beach girls volleyball head coach Kerri Rehnbach is constantly stressing the importance of minimizing physical and mental errors.

At the midway point of the 2015 season, Rehnbach’s  players have for the most part lived up to her message sporting a 6-1 record heading into the month of October after a five-set triumph against MacArthur on Tuesday. The Lady Marines entered the season with high hopes of capturing a county title with all but one starter back from last year’s 9-6 team that reached the Class A semifinals.

“The expectation this year is definitely to win the county title,” said Rehnbach, who led Long Beach its first county title in 2013. “The focus is on getting better and getting stronger so that we are prepared for the playoffs.”

Long Beach’s championship quest is led by tri-captains Gabby Ayzenberg, Emma Colletti and Natalie Swegler. Ayzenberg earned All County honors as an outside hitter last year and posted 18 kills in Long Beach’s 3-1 win at Herricks on Sept. 8.

“She’s probably the most skilled of all the girls,” said Rehnbach of Ayzenberg. “She brings in a lot of experience.”

Colletti help complement Ayzenberg on the right side of the net and has embraced the leadership role that comes with being a captain. Swegler missed the month of September after an ACL injury earlier this year while playing club volleyball, but is expected back on the court for the stretch run of the season as a setter.  

“They all bring something different to the table,” said Rehnbach of her three captains.

Freshman Grace Rosenberg stepped in for Swegler at setter early in the season after playing on junior varsity as an eighth grade last year. She recorded 33 assists in the Marines’ win against Herricks.

“She is probably one of the most athletic kids I have,” said Rehnbach of Rosenberg, who also pitched for the Long Beach varsity softball team as an eighth grader last year. 

Senior middle blocker Shayla Nieves and sophomore Kelly McDonagh have also keyed Long Beach’s offensive attack. Libero Kathleen Verastegui, Ruany Soca and Paige Rogoff have been a force as defensive specialists. 

“I have a lot of depth,” said Rehnbach of the many players she has contributing.

Long Beach fell to eventual Class A champion South Side in last year’s semifinals and Rehnbach is expecting the Cyclones to once again be in contention despite graduating some key talent. Wantagh, Bellmore-JFK and Manhasset are also expected to compete with Long Beach for county bragging rights.

Long Beach is next in action on Thursday at home against a Wantagh team that won its first six matches. Next week the Marines face Hewlett at home on Oct. 6 and travel to Lawrence on Oct. 8.