week4

The Rockaway Beach Volleyball League was greeted with nice but less than perfect weather on week four last Wednesday night at Riis Park. Bumping and setting always works better when the wind stays away and all divisions took a shot from Mother Nature with the steady wind on the beach. There were way more two balls (and one balls) than classic bump, set and spikes. And that’s the way it goes on a breezy night. Wednesday was the official first day of summer even though most of the league begins to think and act summery in May. The days will now get shorter and shorter each week. The long range forecast for 6/28 is sunny and 80°. Will the RBVL winning weather streak live on? We shall see. The Sand Spikers squeezed out a win in the first game 21-19. Then Matt and newcomer Rob took over for Pico and sent the Spikers to the sand, winning the next four. The weekly party at Pico Bar topped off the evening and was highlighted by quesadillas and taco chips galore, which were washed down with frosty summer drinks, margaritas and many ice cold beers. If you stayed at the beach you missed a good party thrown by one of our long time sponsors. Next week the after-party is at new sponsor Hibernian Bar in Roxbury. Mark it down on your calendars.

Pictures courtesy of The Wave, Photographed by Maria Elena Perez

Captain Allison B. led the Mighty Crom to a 4-1 victory over long time rivals, the Federation. Special thanks to new sponsors Chris and Sarah of Crom Physical Culture for sponsoring the team this year. Maybe your team would also win 4-1 if you attended some of their classes. Then go out for adult beverages. Last Call's Frankie D got tripped up by the sand monster while doing the Atwood Shuffle. Big Brown appears to be a bad influence on the young lads, encouraging hat throwing, cursing and typical tantrums. Remember, when you got to go you got to go regardless if you bring your diaper bag or not. Maybe Access-a-Ride can collect from court 6 in game 4 weekly. By next year he will have to leave by game 2 with his weighted vest. Nicole continues to outshine the guys and anything she sets to Augie makes them quite the dynamic duo. The beer dude showed his true colors when he chose dollar signs over Last Call. Maybe Harbor Light could use him moving forward. Jack is definitely the flip bottle champ of the boardwalk by putting Grandpa Brown under the table. P.S. Last Call won 4-1 over Borders.

Casino Auto Body was missing quite a few bodies but soldiered on with their emergency girl Alana, Lauren, Brianna, young Brian, young Rocky and young Joe. If the men had kept up with the women the results would have been better than a 1-4 spanking. Luckily, Alana led the squad to one win with several aces and many good serves. Coach Rocky will have John, Charlie, Stan and rookie Joe running laps next week, if they show up. The Riis Park Ladies Golf Club really does it up right. They play golf for an hour and then celebrate for four hours. Apparently golf takes a lot out of you. Final Jeopardy answer – Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Marianna Murray. Final Jeopardy question – Who are three people who have never been in my kitchen? No, seriously, who are two inactive golfers and one real live duffer? Go get ‘em, Marianna. If you are in Bay Ridge on Tuesday afternoon stop by the Kettle Black on 87^th Street and 3^rd Avenue. Gearth, Wind and Fireman will be playing and celebrating the end of the school year. That means an early release and an early arrival for all teachers, parents, students over 21, students under 21 accompanied by an adult, retirees, workers who cut out early and all other mobile human beings. The drinking and music will start at 4 PM.

A featured Ocean Division match on this first day of summer featured Bungalow Bar versus Magee and 9 Others. In Craig Carey’s absence, Bungalow Bar’s leadership mantle was taken by Linda and her veteran leadership was a big factor in the 5 – 0 victory. The match was much closer than the final result as three of the games were decided by 2 points and one by 3 points. With great serving, passing and spiking on both sides of the net, the critical points were won by the veteran players on Bungalow Bar. With losses the last three weeks, Magee’s is experiencing a June swoon. Linda is an Uber veteran player of RBVL, having played in all but the first season, 27 in all. Ironically, that is longer than just about all the players on Magee’s have been around on this earth. FYI, some of our new RBVL stars resulted from their parents meeting in the early days of the RBVL. Linda is one of the Top 10 players in games played. Most of the Top 10ers Steve Gifford, Joe, Rocky, Patty and John Sica have spent more time off the court to grow RBVL and maintain its high level. As the season reaches its midpoint, players who have made the RBVL part of their summer should consider how they can assist the league executives and stalwarts. It is the ultimate Summer Intern gig. Rumors of a bounty being offered if Gabby of Magee and 9 others could roof her former coach Dan in their matchup continue to swirl. But no worries as Magee got swept and Gab never got the block. Dan did seem to know about the offer as he kept making the fingers rubbing together money sign after every unblocked hit. And Dan had the last laugh with a 5-0 Bungalow bar sweep. Summing up week four - you’ve cat to be kitten me right now. Meow!

Aviator will sponsor a volleyball tournament at Aviator on July 1^st and 2^nd. They are only accepting 20 teams each consisting of a minimum of six players and a maximum of 10 players with at least two females on the court at all times. The entry fee is $325 per team and every team is guaranteed at least four games over the two days. 1^st place walks away with $1,500 cash; 2^nd place receives $500 cash; 3^rd place receives 50% off of their Aviator fall volleyball league entry fee. For more information and to register call (718) 758-7569. Good luck to all entrants.

Captains are reminded that they can have items entered in the weekly Wave article by e-mailing Joe at jmcgivney2@nyc.rr.com by 11 PM on Wednesday night. So far, hardly anyone has submitted items and your articles will get shorter and shorter each week. And that’s OK if that’s your choice. Otherwise, send a sentence or two to be printed. Or, if you know someone in the league interested in writing, let us know. Maria Perez is a reporter/photographer from the Wave and she will be taking pictures at the beach each week. Make her feel welcome at our Wednesday night extravaganza. I’m sure you’ll agree; pictures are nice. As a reminder, the RBVL has gone “green” and the 2017 Schedules and bar nights are posted on the website. If you have any questions along the way please contact Steve Gifford via e-mail at irvman331@verizon.net.

photos by Maria Elena Perez of the wave below: