week5

Week 5 of the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League had people wondering: where is summer? Though the temperature said 70 degrees, the clouds, wind, and rain made it feel much cooler. The players piled up in hoodies and long sleeves to prepare for the poor weather conditions. The wind made setting up more challenging, and comfort minimal. The teams, however, came through and worked hard to continue to be competitors in their divisions.

The wind was persistent throughout the evening, adding an interesting element to the beach volleyball matches. Many players struggled to follow the ball and control its movements due to the problematic winds. Diving was more frequent than usual on the sand as the wind led the volleyballs’ route, and vision was impaired if not wearing sunglasses. The standings remain close as ever with the competition heating up as the weeks progress. Referees had to make some tough calls this week with a number of tight matches. Some of last week’s second place teams have taken over the lead in their divisions. The Wave division’s team Kiss My Ace took the number one spot from the Notorious DIGs, ServPro NW Brooklyn beat out It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere in the Sun Ray Division, and Star’s Harbor Light Sanddogs beat out Serves Em Right. Team EZ Company has made a comeback in the Star Division, travelling from fourth to second place. To find updates, schedules, photos, and other details, look on the Rockaway Beach Volleyball League website: rbvl.com.

Our deepest and most sincere condolences go out to the passing of Rusty Sutterlin. He was a “friend and RBVL buddy…from team Riis Park Beach Bazzaar…” He passed away on June 24^th. The Rockaway Beach Volleyball Committee wrote on their website, “Our condolences to his devoted wife Theresa and his children Katherine and Matthew. We will remember Rusty with a huge smile on his face – and [as] the funniest dancer in the RBVL. Rest in Peace.” RBVL and the rest of the community send their love to Rusty and his family.