finals

It was a day of upsets, it was a day of favorites. It was a day of triumphs and a day of despair. There were laughs, tears, food and beers. And rain. The only thing missing was sun and music. If you ever wonder what the regular season means, is it worth it?, just look at who won the ten divisions. 5 #1 seeds, 3 #2 seeds. That’s eight of the ten divisions won by either the first or second place team.

Overall in an imperfect season, on an imperfect day, perfection may have been achieved after all. Without the sun it was a comfortable day. Without the music the whistles sang and the laughter played melody. Without our leader things ran smooth almost as if he was with us all along. The food was great, the sportsmanship was apparent, and gosh darn it, a good time was had by all.

OCEAN

The biggest upset of the day, maybe ever, occurred in the top division to the overall best team the past two years. Kobeyaki Got Kills was shocked by the number 8 seed One on One Physical Therapy in the first round. As word spread throughout the league as other first round matches ended a crowd gathered around the big game. One on One won the first game 21-18, but more shockingly they won the second 21-14. Kobeyaki regrouped as the crowd cheered against them and for the underdogs winning the next two 21-15, and 21-11. Seemingly back in control, Kobeyaki entered game five confident but were stunned as One on One were inspired by the cheers and took down the defending champs 21-10. As often happens after a great win, One on One came up flat against Freehands in the second round. Bungalow Bar swept through the first two rounds beating JG Electric and Wise Clock Café 3-0 in each match. Wise Clock Café took the Freaky Tiki All Stars in the first round, 3-1. The finals between Bungalow and Freehands was hotly contested. All games were close but Bungalow was too consistent this day winning 3-1 completing a one loss day.

Freaky Tiki

OCEAN BREEZE

Pico also only lost one game on the way to the championship. They beat Jameson’s in 4 in the first round. Other first round matches saw Sullivan and Galleshaw beat Bryan’s Auto Accelerators in closely played games 3-1. The Mighty Crom beat Pointless 3-1 and game 3 featured a 27-25 win for the Mighty ones. FAM’s Breakaways swept Diggin and Swiggin in the first round and then swept The Mighty Crom to reach the finals. But on this day Pico was too strong and swept to the title.

Sullivan and Galleshaw

WAVE

Another number one seed Kiss My Ace won the Wave Division. They beat the Federation and the Cabana in four games each match to get to the finals. The Cabana beat Whits End in a close first round match 3-2. In a big upset the number 7 seeded Notorious DIGs beat the Sand Spikers in the first round in five closely contested games. In other first round action, Owneys Rum lost to Casino Towing 3-1 but two of those losses were in overtime. The third game went to 27-25, Casino winning it. Notorious took Casino in the semi finals 3-1 before losing in the finals in a five game match to champions Kiss my Ace.

Kiss My Ace, Wave Champs

BEACH

Earning the bye in a six team division did not seem like a reward as the top two teams in the division got to sleep late only to lose to lower seeded teams in the semi finals. Kevin C Buckleys Sandstorm beat The Wharf Rats in four games before knocking off the number one seed, The Melons. Although the match was 3-0, it was closer than that with scores of 21-17, 21-19, 21-19. Meanwhile ROCK FAM swept Ratpack NYC and then the second seeded RBQ to gain a seat in the finals against Kevin C Buckleys. ROCK FAM prevailed in a great match 3-2.

BEACH BREEZE

As in the top division, the best team lost to the eighth place team in the Beach Breeze division. #1 Bungalo Baranhas lost 3-2 to #8 The Sand Castle. Amazingly #2 Gingas in Paris also lost in the first round to #7 RBNY Physical Therapy, 3-0! And as so often happens after a big upset both the Sand Castle and RBNY then lost in the second round. Kerry Hills swept Breezy Lumber before beating The Sand Castle 3-1 to enter the Finals. Meanwhile By the Beach CoCo’s swept 5 Rock in the first round before beating RBNY in a close 5^th game. In the finals Kerry Hills beat CoCo’s in a hard fought five game match, last game 21-18.

Kerry Hills

BOARWALK

DJS@WORK beat Team Margaritas 3-1 in the first round, the Rincon Gringos in the second round 3-1 to make it to the finals. The Gringos upset the 3 seed in the first round with a dramatic game five come from behind victory to beat Attorney Bill Kelly’s Legal Eagles. The Rockaway Gliders beat the Stanii 3-1 in the first round while It’s All Good beat Your Name Could be Here, 3-1. The Gliders then had a tough match against It’s All Good winning in game five 21-19. DJS@work beat the Gliders in the finals 3-0 but every game was close.

Jake Smith was Rincon Gringos most improved player.

SUN

Danger Zone was another top seed who won the sweatshirt. They beat a pesky Rodgers Irish Settlers 3-2 in a tough first round match. The second seed Star Wars also had to fight in the first round beating Rock Beach 3-2. Also Rouge Sharks prevailed in five over Coastal Real Estate. Third seed Atlantic Service Sandsharks beat LeGreann 3-1. In the semi’s Atlantic Service had to go five games to beat Star Wars whiule Danger Zone beat Rouge Sharks in four. In the finals Danger Zone won it 3-1.

SUNRAY

The Sunray division saw the biggest upset as 7^th seeded Simba’s Pride scratched and clawed their way to the championship. In the first round they swept 2^nd seeded “Quatela Architects Suns of Beaches” but every game was a nail biter. In the semi finals they won 3-1 over Remax Elite Net Results but two games were in overtime, one game went to 27-25. Top team It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere took care of the Beach House 3-0 and then Rathbone 3-1 winning the last game in overtime. Rathbone got to the semi’s by beating Serve Pro NW Brooklyn in a five set match in the first round. Then in the finals Simba’s Pride showed their pride completing the upset 3-1 over top seeded it’s 5 o’clock.

MOON

Top seeded Last Call held form winning the moon division by beating Riis Park Beach Bazaar 3-1, then Boarders Surf Shop 3-0 and finally Cape Cod Irish Villagers 3-1 despite losing the first game of the championship match. Boarders were down 2-0 in the opening match before fighting back and winning the last three games, including a thrilling 21-19 final game. Cape Cod beat The Social Yachties 3-1 and then BILLY MACS 3-1 to get to the finals. Billy MACS won an exciting first round match over DisFUNctional in 5 including a close 21-19 final game.

STAR

In the Star division The Harbor Light cruised to the finals seeping throught the first two rounds over Paul’s Bicycles and Downtown Diggers. The Downtown Diggers swept the Odd Couples in the first round but were overpowered in the semi’s. Meanwhile Sets On The Beach defeated Serves em Right 3-1 and EZ Company 3-0 to gain the finals. The finals were exhilarating as they fought back and forth in the rain setting up a 21-19 Harbor Light championship victory in game five.

Its great just to show up every week and run out and play and when its over relax with friends and family on a Wednesday night on the beach. That’s why a big shout out goes to the members of the RBVL committee. For them Wednesday nights involve getting there early, getting the equipment out and organized, assigning the refs, putting up the schedules, resolving issues as they come up, etc. Then when the games are over, collecting nets, making sure they are complete, getting score sheets, resolving issues, packing up, etc. Not to mention work being done during the week as well, and year round. All for no pay. However many people have thanked committee members for all they do both in person and on facebook and that is a reminder of why they do it. Its great whenever players lend a helping hand to help run smoothly. George Sullivan and others stepped up when we needed it most. Before the finals, one of the teams, Serves em Right, saw the food being delivered and noticed how busy the committee members were, so six of their players stepped up and took over receiving the delivery. This kind of community spirit is what makes it all possible. A special shout out this year goes to Theresa Sutterlin and her family. Theresa has been a member of the committee for years now and her husband Rusty left us way too soon in the middle of this season. Rusty always had a big heart and smile for everyone he met. Despite the tragic loss Theresa continues to give of her time every week, helping to make Wednesday night the best night in Rockaway every summer.

Nine months until opening day. See you on the beach