By Rob Potter
LIBERTY — August 27, 2004 – Trophies were awarded Wednesday night as the Town of Liberty Parks and Recreation Department’s Women’s Beach Volleyball League concluded its 2004 season at Hanofee Park.
In the opening match of the evening on the sand court at the park, the Sand*Sations met the Starlites to decide which team would finish the summer in first place. Sand*Sations won the first-place trophies with a two-game victory (15-7, 15-13).
Members of the Sand*Sations team are Rhea DeMaria, Tara DeMaria, Holly Houghtaling, Shannon Kip, Barbara Long and Tracy Magie.
After congratulating their opponents, the Starlites happily accepted their second-place trophies. Team members include: Joan Evans, Lynn Goldstein, Terry Greenspan, Susan Hemmer, Sherry Kavleski, Judy Magie and Sue VanHouten.
In the evening’s second match, which was for third place, the Go-Go’s defeated the Tumbleweeds in three games. The Go-Go’s won the first game, 15-9. But the Tumbleweeds came back to take the second game by a 15-8 score. The third game was very close, and the Go-Go’s scored the last four points to record a 15-12 win.
The Go-Go’s roster includes: Donna Belgard, Sandra Bucklin, Maureen Crescitelli, MaryLu Drobysh, Alegra Jennings, Donna Kleister, Liliany Quintero, Lena Turlington and Nicole Zotta.
Members of the Tumbleweeds are Barbara Auclair, Karen Brown, Barbara Daniels, Linda DeCarlo, Sharon Goskoski, Diane Hinton, Sue Mootz, Edith St. Fleur and Susan Walgren.
While every lady received either a first, second, third or fourth place trophy, the players were quick to point out that the league is about more than awards.
“It’s competitive, but it’s also a social event,” said Rhea DeMaria, who is the league’s coordinator. “Many of the women bring the kids and they play together while the ladies play volleyball.
“Volleyball is a wonderful sport for women,” DeMaria added. “Everybody has fun.”
Goskoski, an assistant professor at Sullivan County Community College, moved to Sullivan County from Rochester last summer. For her, the volleyball league was a way to meet local women and play a sport she enjoys.
“I didn’t know anyone when I moved here,” Goskoski said. “My teammates and women on the other teams really welcomed me. There’s a lot of comraderie among the women in the league and we have a lot of fun.”
Goskoski added that the league was a great way for the participants to get some exercise and fresh air on summer evenings.
“It’s a social event and a lot of fun, but it’s competitive, too,” she said.
This was the fourth year for the summer beach volleyball league. But the volleyball does not end just because the summer concludes.
The Town of Liberty Parks and Rec Department conducts volleyball leagues during the other months of the year as well. DeMaria noted that there is a women’s indoor league on Monday nights at SCCC and a co-ed adult league at Tri-Valley Central School in Grahamsville. Both leagues run from September to May.
“We’re very grateful to Director Brian Scardefield and everyone at the Town of Liberty Parks and Rec Department,” DeMaria said. “They provide our team t-shirts and the trophies and allow us to play on this court here at Hanofee Park.”
For more information about the summer or winter volleyball leagues, please call the Town of Liberty Parks and Rec Department at 292-7690.