Gator Volleyball’s Cassie Dahl reaches 1,000-assist milestone

Gator Volleyball player Cassie Dahl and her family pose for a photo together, as Cassie’s two younger sisters hold signs recognizing Cassie for the milestone she reached that night—1,000 assists. She became the fifth Gator player to reach the milestone. Pictured in the Dahl family are (L-R): sister Lexie, mom and Gator Head Volleyball Coach Stacy, Cassie, dad Brad and sister Kenzie. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

The Gator Volleyball team poses as a group and Cassie Dahl holds the commemorative volleyball she earned for reaching the 1,000-assist milestone, following the team’s 3-0 home win over the Sacred Heart Eagles. Pictured are (L-R): Front: Emma Heggedal, Ella Heggedal, Aulona Jasiqi and Hannah Bergsnev; Back: Erika Howell, Jade Reese, Cassie Dahl, Jacey Wojchowski and Kinsley Hanson. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Gator sophomore setter Cassie Dahl sets the ball to teammate Aulona Jasiqi on the outside. Jasiqi finished the play with the kill, giving Dahl career assist number 1,000 during the Gators’ 3-0 home win over the Sacred Heart Eagles on October 22. (submitted photo)

Gator Volleyball sophomore setter Cassie Dahl is all smiles as she holds the commemorative volleyball she earned for reaching the 1,000-assist milestone during the Gators’ 3-0 home win over the Sacred Heart Eagles on October 22. (photo by Ryan Bergeron)

Gator Head Volleyball Coach Stacy Dahl has celebrated career milestones with multiple Gator volleyball players over the years, always in that coach role. On October 22, she had a chance to celebrate another player’s career milestone, this time not only as a coach, but also as a parent.

Five assists away from 1,000 assists going into the match, sophomore Gator setter Cassie Dahl had recorded four assists to help the Gators to an early 8-2 lead versus the Sacred Heart Eagles, forcing an Eagles timeout. Out of that break, Dahl would set the ball to the outside to teammate Aulona Jasiqi, who would record the kill.

After a brief delayed reaction, Gators players screamed in celebration and joined in a huddle to congratulate Dahl, sporting a large grin on her face. Soon after, Coach Dahl joined the celebration on the court, but near the sideline and gave her daughter Cassie a hug. The Gators would play on and continue to find offensive success en route to a 3-0 (25-12, 25-22, 25-11) sweep over the Sacred Heart Eagles.

Asked about celebrating that moment with her daughter, Coach Dahl called it unbelievable, but also recognized the team aspect of this milestone.

“I haven’t felt this side of it before, I guess, as a parent. But the assist milestone is so cool because that’s a team award,” Coach Dahl said. “It’s a team milestone because you depend on that pass, you get that set, then the killer puts it away, or your attacker. And so it’s really cool to see everyone celebrate that together because it’s just such a cool team experience, so that’s pretty awesome.”

The limited Gator fans in attendance cheered and held up posters as the achievement was announced. Cassie was also presented with a commemorative volleyball. She finished the night with 32 assists and became the fifth Gator player to reach the 1,000-assist milestone, joining Vanessa (Dvergsten) Thompson (2,264), Shanyce Bishop (1,117), Alyssa Kilen (1,682), and Kjerstie Lieberg (1,311), the latter two in attendance to celebrate the milestone with Cassie.

To see the complete game story and more Gator Volleyball coverage, read the October 28 issue of The Tribune in print or online.