Rebuilt Long Beach remains unbeaten

A change in enrollment structure for Nassau County boys’ volleyball pushed Long Beach into Class A after it reached the Class B finals in each of the past two seasons. 

The Marines, ranked seventh among 15 Class A schools, have found smooth sailing so far in Division A-II with a 9-0 record despite returning only one starter. 

“We graduated 10 kids from last year’s team, but everyone in the program plays a lot of volleyball during the offseason,” coach Bill Gibson said. “I had a feeling we’d still be pretty good. Our JV coach, Eric Heck, does a great job developing the younger players.”

Senior captain Seamus McDonough is Long Beach’s lone returning starter, and he does it all. At 6-foot-4, Gibson called him “one of the biggest setters in the state.” He leads the team in aces, assists and blocks. “He’s the complete package,” Gibson said. “The technique of being a really good setter is like being a good jump shooter in basketball. Seamus is both. He’s All-County material.”

On Oct. 8, McDonough had 29 assists, nine kills and six blocks to lead the Marines to a 3-1 victory over Division. He had 51 assists in a five-set win over Syosset on Sept. 21.

The pieces around McDonough have jelled nicely, Gibson noted. Max Gottuso, also a captain, has proven a dangerous weapon from the position opposite McDonough. The hard-hitting lefty with great jumping ability is the team’s No. 1 hitter with more than 80 kills. “Max attacks cross-court,” Gibson explained. “He’s tougher to defend because he hits left-handed, and he never gets rattled.”

In the middle, seniors Cam Greenhut and Frank Enright are leading the way. Greenhut is averaging between 5-10 kills and five blocks per match, and Enright, who jumps out of the gym, has been equally consistent, the coach said. Enright had seven blocks and four kills against Division. “They’re both solid,” Gibson said. “We know exactly what we’re going to get out of them every match.”

At outside hitter, junior Luc Esformes brings a combination of size, strength and athleticism to the court. He ranks second behind Gottuso in kills and had 15 in a 3-1 win over Oceanside on Sept. 25. Sophomore Sammy Gibson ranks third on the team in kills and second in aces, while junior Joe Rogers provides a spark off the bench with his jumping and hitting skills.

The Marines also rely on a few specialists. Senior Bradley Riskin possesses an extremely hard jump-serve with topspin, while sophomore Chris Scandole anchors the defense from the libero position. Scandole leads the team in digs and passing.

“One of the best things about this group is they don’t get negative with each other,” Gibson said. “They just keep playing and work through a difficult stretch.”

The coach said he’s looking for the Marines to hold off Syosset and Oceanside for the division title and earn the No. 6 seed for the Class A playoff tournament. “Statistically, we’re pretty equal to last year’s team,” Gibson said.