Most people reading about Great Neck seniors playing volleyball would, no doubt, think of high school-aged players. But a Nov. 4 tournament held at Locust Valley High School involved another kind of Great Neck senior. These seniors were all over the age of 50!

Great Neck's senior 50+ volleyball team.

Seven senior volleyball teams, from across Long Island, competed in a grueling 12 game tournament that lasted five hours. This year for the first time each team was permitted to have one player under the age of 50.

The Great Neck team started off slowly, losing three of their first four games. After eight games their record improved to four wins and four losses. In games nine and 10 the Great Neckers had to face the "Macmen" who were the defending champions. The Macmen were undefeated in this tournament, with a record of 10 wins and no losses. Their under 50-aged player was Arthur Finkel, one of Long Island's premier players, of any age. Mr. Finkel also is a longtime Great Neck resident. He has been playing with members of the "Macmen" in organized leagues for many years but he also plays regularly with members of the Great Neck team.

So the stage was set for a classic rivalry. In game 9 the spirited Great Neckers miraculously managed to break the Macmen's unbeaten streak, as they scratched and clawed their way to victory. In game 10 they had a 19 to16 point lead in a 21 point game, but they just couldn't manage to hold on for another win. Though worn and drained from their battle with the Macmen, the Great Neckers won their next two games to finish with a seven win, and five loss, overall record. They finished third in the tournament overall.

The Great Neck team began playing in Allenwood Park in 1989. The team has been playing regularly, on Tuesday nights at the South Middle School gym, for the past 15 years.