Dan's Papers - August 3, 2007 - Breakwater Beach Volleyball

Every Monday night at 6 p.m. Breakwater Beach in Mattituck transforms. Gone are the surfers, snorkelers and beachcombers; in arrives the volleyball players; anticipating their night of competition. The breeze kicks up, the air gets cooler; but the players continue to heat up the court. It's truly a site to see.

The North Fork Beach Volleyball group was founded back in 1995. During its origin, play consisted of piece-mealing together courts and finding some donors for t-shirts. Poles and Nets were put up and taken down each week on the not-so sandy shore of the Peconic Bay. Legends Restaurant gifted the organization with Bud Light nets and some t-shirts. Five teams were formed. They enjoyed the play, the camaraderie; but were often challenged by the elements and the neighbors. At one point neighborhood resident were said to have staged an anti-volleyball protest by sitting in beach chairs in the middle of the courts and saying that the volleyball players were "Bohemians." But through it all they persevered.

The games continued, the excitement grew and dodging the protestors and the elements took a distant backseat to the fun of play. Eventually, thanks to one time Southold Supervisor Jean Cochran, they were given the rights to have 4 courts built for them on Breakwater Beach. Since 1998 Breakwater Beach has been their home and since then "the organization became recognized as an official NYS non profit and a regional affiliate of AVPNext."

Mike Ryan, founder and President of the organization puts it all in perspective. "I think for most of us," he said "it's great to be playing the game down at the beach. Those of us who live locally don't take advantage of our amazing surroundings. It gives everyone an opportunity to say, 'Monday is my beach night.'"

The teams play competitively following beach volleyball rules. Some of which are:
1. Each half of the court measures 8 by 8 meters (indoor courts are slightly larger).
2. If a blocking player touches the ball, but it continues onto his side of the net, the block counts as the first contact.
3. Open-hand dinks, where a player uses his or her fingertips to redirect the ball into the opponent's court, are illegal.
4. It is legal to cross under the net as long as doing so does not interfere with the opponents' attempt to play the ball.
5. Players are not required to rotate positions; they must alternate service, but there are no 'rotation errors'.
6. There is no ten-foot line.
7. There are no substitutions.

The organization is comprised of very caring and generous people. On July 28, an event was held to raise money for the medical expenses accrued for Kim Haeg. 100-percent of the proceeds raised went to Kim. You might recall that Kim was a high school senior who lost control of her car while returning from her grandmother's house. She was found in a ditch miles from her Southold home. She survived; but faces many obstacles as a quadriplegic. This amazing young woman started college in the fall of 2006 and continues to have success. The men and women of the North Fork Volleyball Association look forward to all of Kim's successes. Mike Ryan has said that if any reader wishes to make a donation to Kim; to contact the volleyball association and it will be forwarded to her family.

The volleyball competition will go on all summer and culminate with the 12th Annual NFBV Invitational on Saturday, September 8 (rain date: Sunday, September 9th). Think World Series, think Super bowl; this end of the season event is one to come down and see. The teams who have played hard all summer come down and compete for the championship. During this final leg of the competition "seeds are determined from regular season standing finish and playoff games will be played to break ties in standing."

If you are interested in putting together a team for next year or being a sponsor contact Mike Ryan at 631-241-3677 or go to www.northforkbeachvolleyball.org. Each team is sponsored by an organization. Currently as of July, 24- the Kolb Mechanical team holds a 20-4 record, followed closely by Ulster Savings Bank with a 16-8 record and tied for 3rd with two other teams is the Legends sponsored team with a 14-10 standing.

Head down to Breakwater beach Monday nights and watch some Serving, Setting and Spiking happen right before your eyes.