Sean Moylan Sports Writer
Things were going so well for the Northern Burlington County Regional High girls’ volleyball team as of late, it was tough not to believe that the Greyhounds (seeded 21st) were going to march into Hackensack High this past Tuesday and upset a 12th seeded Hackensack squad in the Group III playoff opener.
Unfortunately, it didn’t happen that way.
Hackensack defeated NBC, 2-0 (25-17, 25-18), to end the Greyhounds’ dream season.
“We just were really tight and we didn’t play our best,” said NBC head girls’ varsity volleyball coach Theresa Barg, who guided her club into the playoffs in only its second year as a varsity team.
Some of NBC players, however, performed very well in defeat. Moreover, Barg believed Northern Burlington may have even won if her team was at the top of its game.
“Caris Hall played well. Her hitting was so good she had six kills,” said Barg, who got four kills and three blocks out of senior star Katie Carty. “Jill Asay, one of my (senior) centers, also played well.”
Asay had seven assists.
Last Thursday, NBC hosted and defeated Seneca, 2-0 (25-12, 25-18), in its last regular season match. Asay (seven assists), Carty (seven kills) and Danielle Funk (six assists) all had big games for the victors.
NBC finished this season with a 12-11 record. Unfortunately, it’s going to take a big hit next season.
“We’re losing 11 girls (seniors). So the younger girls will need to get more experience,” said Barg, who is planning to meet with her younger players so they can all hook up with local club volleyball teams. Still this season will hold a big place in everyone’s heart for years to come.
“We’ll always remember this year fondly because this is the first year we ever made it to the playoffs,” said Barg, who will do everything in her power to build up the program even more.
