Long Beach continues resurgence
Two years ago, the Long Beach boys’ volleyball team failed to win a single set during a winless season. This fall, under the guidance of a championship-winning coach, they find themselves contending for a playoff spot.
The Marines (6-3) posted three straight-set wins during their four-game winning streak to end September, which was also highlighted by a victory at Mepham on the 21st in which they battled back from an 0-2 deficit. The run was halted by a tough five-set loss to first-place Levittown District on Oct. 5, but still sit fourth in a competitive Conference B with seven games remaining entering this week.
Stewart Ratzken, a former Long Beach volleyball player who guided the Lynbrook girls’ team to a county title in 2014, took over a group that improved to 5-9 last season. He and assistant coach Jaden Garelle watched film to prepare for the season and they introduced themselves by taking the boys to the nearby beach for offseason training.
“I watched a lot of tape from Long Beach last year and I thought, and I don’t want to insult any coach, there were quick, easy fixes to score points, and we certainly cleaned that up,” Ratzken said. “[This season] is not surprising me, though.”
Long Beach was especially competitive against the upper-echelon teams in the conference by beating Levittown in the season opener and taking a 2-1 on Oceanside before losing in five sets on Sept. 12. Both of those schools are now 8-2 in the division.
“We try to balance the rotation as much as we can and I‘ve got a lot of young kids on the court and I’m like, ‘Wow, I have them for three years’, so this program is going to be pretty amazing,” Ratzken said.
Long Beach is led by the 1-2 punch of seniors Brody Schuh (126 kills) and Brian Cash (98). Both had a season-high 22 kills in the Mepham victory and middle starter Schuh also leads the team in blocks with 26.
“Brian Cash hits like a D1 college kid when he’s on,” Ratzken said. “Brody’s an excellent basketball player and volleyball player and these guys, their jump reaches like 10-7, 10-8, so they’re a force to be reckoned with.”
Setter Hayden Lipinski completes the senior triumvirate with 230 assists and Ratzken lauded him for his court IQ and ball distribution. Lipinski’s 25 aces ties him for the team lead with junior Logan Puzack and his 79 digs are five behind Puzack.
Sophomore Sean O’Malley made a strong contribution with 33 kills and 22 blocks as did senior Jack Passman, who has 20 kills, 52 digs, and 12 aces. Sophomore libero Sebastian Ling and junior Danilo Cuba have been defensive stalwarts with a combined 92 digs.
Senior Jake Fackler (52 assists) brings depth at setter and sophomores Zack Brymer, Gavin Corrigan, and Kasper Yanowitch are all talented up and comers.
The Marines visit Uniondale on Oct. 14 and Freeport three days later. Those schools have a combined four wins this season.
