Barton beats Emmanuel to snap 31-match losing streak

The longest losing streak in the nation has come to an end.

Barton earned its first win of the season and snapped a 31-match losing streak that dated back to 2021 as it defeated Emmanuel 26-24, 20-25, 25-19, 25-20 on Saturday in Wilson, North Carolina.

Middle attack attacker Thomas Fanic in the victory led all players with a season-high 13 blocks. In addition, Fanic added 11 kills and one error on a .526 attack percentage with four of those kills coming in the final game.

Setter Seth Deppe had 42 assists and guided the Barton offense to out-hit Emmanuel .322 to .186, including the Bulldogs having a match-best .500 attack percentage and committing no attackers in the third game. Barton (1-9, 1-3 ConfCarolinas) entered this match having never hit .300 in a match this season and only hitting more than .200 a single match.

The Bulldogs had three players finish with double-digit kills. Along with Fanic, opposite Jake Adams had a team-high 16 kills on a .405 attack percentage and outside attacker Brandon Johnston contributed 12 kills against Emmanuel (5-7, 1-3 ConfCarolinas).

Johnston also had an ace as part of a 5-0 run to close out the opening game in overtime. The Bulldogs trailed 24-22 before fighting off three game-points and won the game on an Emmanuel attack error.

Emmanuel outside attacker Jayden Young in the loss had a team-high 18 kills.

This victory also is the first career win for Barton first-year head coach J.T. Deppe. Despite the recent losing streak, Barton remains one of the most successful programs in ConfCarolinas history winning conference titles in 2017 and 2019.