Barnegat seems to have everything set in place already.
The Bengals are a squad that can quickly find their rhythm and stay in that winning groove -- and plenty of that can be credited to the players' astute knowledge of the game alongside a new philosophy from the coaching staff.
Emily Dancisin is Barnegat's third head volleyball coach in as many years and she recognizes the talent of her team. She doesn't try to micro-manage. Rather, she just wants to have an uplifting and constant presence for her team, which has shown to be the perfect formula to a promising 2023 season.
Barnegat improved to 2-0 this fall, taking down Rumson-Fair Haven in a 25-23, 25-16 effort on Monday in Rumson to tally another huge victory in the Shore Conference.
"These girls are so skilled and have been waiting for a consistent outlet. We just want them to be positive, to like each other and have fun, in that order. It's proving to work," Dancisin said.
Barnegat began the year with a victory over Pinelands, a team looking to contend deep into the NJSIAA Group 3 playoffs. The Bengals followed that up with a match against a fellow Group 2 team with postseason aspirations. Snagging this victory all of a sudden resurges Barnegat's prowess.
"They're huge wins. Pinelands is a local rival of ours, so to begin the season with a win over them really showed us that we can compete this year. They came into today really believing in one another," Dancisin said.
Barnegat trailed 3-2 in the opening set, and following that, never surrendered a lead in a complete effort.
Ashley Berger stole the show with 15 kills, including two of the Bengals' final three points of the day to complete the sweep. The senior outside hitter fell just one kill shy of her career-best in a match where she mixed up her spikes with some tips to throw off the Bulldogs (0-2).
Cassidi Van Horn added five kills alongside six digs and four aces. Van Horn set the tone in the opening frame with four kills, as well as playing stellar on defense.
"Ashley was on fire. Her in the front with Cassidi in the back row made for a fantastic combo today. They're so smart and educated in this sport," Dancisin said.
Rumson-Fair Haven made a push to close out the first set, however. The Bulldogs scored four straight points to knot it up at 23. Cayla Kuo and Devyn Gwydir slammed some kills to put their team back in it, but Van Horn smashed back-to-back kills to end the set at 25-23.
Barnegat was also a steel curtain on hit attempts from the Bulldogs up the middle, doing an impressive job of covering on each possession.
"We're flabbergasted by how good we are as a whole. Sometimes we just have to remind them that they really belong. At the end of that set, that reminder was all they really needed," Dancisin said.
"We were just telling each other that we're better than this, but we didn't worry. We stayed calmed and kept to our game," Berger added.
From the serving line, Barnegat clipped 16 aces. Led by Brooke DeGrazio's six, the Bengals were hard to read all day long.
"Brooke has an amazing serve. She really got us through the game," Berger said.
DeGrazio added 11 digs in the win. Annabella Fraim distributed 24 assists while Tara Charland racked up 13 digs. Ally Haggerty and Isabella Pavan helped with a pair of kills each. Pavan also notched a block. Ashlee Kuhl contributed one kill and one dig.
It's difficult to play mistake-free volleyball, but Barnegat came extremely close to a perfect showing in just the second match of the fall.
There's plenty to look forward to for the 2021 South Jersey, Group 2 champions, who are looking to get right back on top -- and they have a convincing formula to find continued success.
"Our bond as close friends has really made us a better team. We trust each other and that's transitioned into two wins so far," Berger said.
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