Seamless transition for Long Beach
The coaching transition for the Long Beach girls’ volleyball team was about as seamless as possible.
There was zero time needed for new coach Katherine Meyers to learn about the program, the players, the history.
That’s because she lived it.
Meyers played for Long Beach under former coach Kerri Rehnback and graduated in 2013. She returned to her alma mater in 2019 to become Rehnback’s assistant coach.
Rehnback retired following 17 seasons at the helm, stepping aside after Long Beach lost to Webster Schroeder in three sets in the New York State Class AA final after capturing Nassau and Long Island crowns.
Meyers is joined by assistant coach Kat Verastegui, a standout on Long Beach’s state champion in 2018.
“I know all of the girls already. It does help with the start of the season because I already have that relationship with them,” Meyers said. “It's not like I needed to build a relationship with them from the beginning.”
Meyers’ coaching philosophy, one that fosters strong relationships and honest communication, isn’t looking much different from Rehnback’s.
“I know that I always looked back at high school volleyball thinking about what a great time I had and the relationships that I built with my teammates and I'm sure that came from her as a coach as well,” Meyers said. “So that's something that I'm trying to implement.”
The Meyers era is off to a solid start.
Long Beach is 4-2 out of the gate following a five-set win over Syosset on Sept. 26 in Nassau's power conference, the team’s fourth consecutive victory following back-to-back losses to Massapequa and Wantagh to open the season.
“As long as we're playing our best by the end of the regular season, we're going to be in a good spot,” Meyers said. “I feel like we've already seen so much growth from the beginning to having a huge win against Syosset.”
Leading the way for Long Beach is setter Hayley Lipinski, who will play beach volleyball at Eckerd College. The senior, one of the top setters in the county, already has 151 assists in six matches.
“She's really the quarterback of our team. She runs the whole offense, she's very skilled defensively,” Meyers said. “She has great ball control. I'm assuming that comes from playing on the beach all the time and she has an amazing serve.”
Senior outside hitter Ivanka Priymak is Long Beach’s “silent assassin,” according to Meyers and junior middle Sara Biancamano, who was called up for the team’s Cinderella run to the state final last year, is the second-highest point scorer.
Jorjia Domingo, a defensive specialist last year, is the libero and the rock of the defense, while senior middle Franky DeCicco is the glue of the team.
“If we're in a rut or she feels like we need to get each other energized or hyped up, she’s that person for the team,” Meyers said. “She really brings the vibes up on the court and makes sure that everyone’s in a good headspace.”
