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for larger version       The Dolphins Spike Their Way To First Place
For a team that only started two years ago, the Beach Channel Dolphins Men’s Volleyball team has quickly risen to the top of the PSAL Queens standings. For Mark Sanchez, head volleyball coach, the drive to bring back the men’s volleyball team did not come from him or administration but from the students, "Four years ago, I couldn’t field a team. I only had 5 players which is not enough", said Sanchez. At that point Sanchez and the school decided to suspend the men’s volleyball program. It was two years ago that current players Carl Nurse and Marlon Ormsby went up to Sanchez and asked him to return to coaching and revive the volleyball team. "I told them I would coach if the kids went out and recruited the players," said Sanchez. "I told them that it was on them to get a team and if I’m going to be here, then the players must be here also to play". Ormsby and Nurse then got nine players to play for the 2002 season. It was a tough season as they had a 2-8 record but the experience that was gained by the players was invaluable. It was an example of coming together according to Marlon Ormsby, one of six seniors who will graduate this year. Ownsby is a spiker/setter who has improved over the last 2 seasons. "I worked on everything, sliding, staying down and getting on top of the ball." Senior Carl Nurse was named captain of the team due to his leadership qualities and playing experience. "I was in Barbados and on the beach every day. I learned to play volleyball with people who did it every day," said Nurse. "I took what I learned and applied it to the team." Sanchez describes Nurse as a strong spiker, consistent and who gets his teammates involved. Hillcrest, along with John Adams, poses the biggest challenges for the Dolphins. Their only loss against Hillcrest bothered the Dolphins because they felt too overconfident going in to the game. "We were trying to do everything at once and I thought we needed to get humbled." It motivated the team as well and they easily beat Hillcrest in the rematch for a record of 6-1 because they played as a team. "They enjoy themselves out there," says Sanchez. "If we continue playing like we do, we can go far."
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