The Barrington High School girls volleyball team made the jump back to Division I this year, and has battled its way to a .500 record through the first half of the season.

“We are where we belong,” said longtime Barrington High School Coach Ron Enos. 

The Eagles split against league competition last week. On Wednesday, Sept. 30, Barrington powered to a 3-1 victory over Mt. Hope High School (25-19, 25-24, 13-25, 25-12). Riley Fogarty, outside hitter and co-captain for the Eagles, led the way with 14 kills,  11 digs, and two service aces. High-flying junior Charlotte Farrell added 10 kills, and Lale Coskun finished with eight kills. 

The victory preceded a 3-1 loss to North Kingstown on Friday night (10-25, 25-23, 20-25, 19-25). Melissa Freshman, a talented setter for the Eagles, paced the team with 16 assists and 10 digs. Fogarty had another strong game with 13 kills, 11 digs and four service aces. 

Coach Enos said this year’s team has good roster depth, with experienced players at all grade levels. Anna Muehlbauer, one of the Eagles’ setters, is a co-captain this season. 

“I’ve got 16 on varsity,” Enos said. “I can look at anybody, and they can serve. We’re not looking at a big drop-off.”

The depth has helped as Naimi Basse recovers from an injury — the standout player was a key contributor for the Eagles. 

“Katherine Hazlett has filled in since Day One,” Enos said. 

“We’re just getting in the rhythm and timing to play with each other,” he said. 

Enos said the team’s strength this season is its serving. 

“Top to bottom — it doesn’t matter who I put out there. They’re smart,” he said. 

The Eagles played a couple of tough matches earlier this season against Classical and LaSalle. Barrington lost both matches 3-0, but Enos was encouraged by the grit shown by his team. 

“We got swept, but the matches were close,” he said.

“The returning players, they’re definitely taking that next step. Good connections with the setter, and they’re meshing and gelling with the other position players.”

Enos said the move to Division I was a good step for the Eagles. Last year, Barrington competed in Division II but played four matches against Division I opponents and a fifth match against a top-tier Massachusetts team. The Eagles went 4-1 against that competition. 

Enos said he knew this year’s team would be a good fit for Division I. 

“We don’t have a soft schedule,” he said. “We play all Division I opponents.”

Enos is less focused on the wins and losses, especially through the first half of the season, he said. More important is how the Eagles are playing as they head into the final few weeks of the season. 

Barrington looked playoff-ready on Sept. 28 when the team defeated Cranston West, 3-0.

“The postseason’s definitely a goal,” Enos said.