For Las Positas sophomore setter Jade Dancel, consistency is more than just a skill; it’s how the Hawks operate. Starting every game this season, Dancel has become the player the team relies on to keep the offense flowing, especially during tough stretches.
As the setter, Dancel is the middle of every offensive play, choosing in mere seconds who will get the ball and when. That reliability was on display in the Hawks’ 3-0 win over Gavilan, a match that ended a five-game conference losing streak.
A very clean set to Maddy Huddleston led to an early kill, while a cross-court set to Zepora Tia by Dancel kept Gavilan guessing. Later, a service ace opened the third set, underscoring her ability to contribute in multiple ways.
“The hardest part is trying to beat the blockers,” Dancel said. “We’re a little bit undersized as a team, so I’m always thinking a step ahead.”
Across 19 matches this season, she’s tallied 606 assists, alongside 38 service aces and 149 digs. That level of contribution reflects not just her skill, but her consistency.
She gives credit to herself, “It’s a split-second decision for me to make right before I get the pass,” Dancel said. “I try to give our team a balanced amount of opportunities to make plays, but when it gets really tense, I have to make sure I’m giving it to whoever’s hot.”
Against Gavilan, Dancel’s quick adjustments and reliable sets were evident throughout all three sets. She stayed focused through mistakes, directing traffic and keeping her teammates in position.
After a timeout during the first set, she delivered a precise set to Ainsley Wade, which helped regain momentum. Later, another set to Zepora Tia resulted in a kill straight down the middle. Each play illustrated why she’s considered the glue of the Hawks’ offense.
“The setter is the middle person in every single play,” Dancel said. “You’re not the one who gets the dig or the game-winning score. You’re that person in the middle.”
Her mindset has helped her teammates trust her implicitly. Across the season, she has maintained a high level of play. She has also kept personal errors low compared to her high involvement, with only 25 service errors and four ball-handling errors across 19 matches.
The Gavilan match highlighted how her consistency translates into wins. The Hawks closed out the match and finally broke their losing streak.
That confidence, paired with her reliability, makes Dancel invaluable to the Hawks. “The season has taught me a lot,” Dancel said. “I’ve had to learn to have confidence in myself because no one’s going to give it to me.”
Her ability to stay steady under pressure, execute precise sets, and maintain focus on every play ensures the team has a consistent presence in the middle of every rally. While she may not always be the player scoring the highlight-reel points, her contributions set up almost every one of them.
As the Hawks move forward, Dancel’s approach, consistent, calm, and deliberate, will continue to be an essential part of their strategy. For a team working to recover from midseason struggles, her steadiness provides the foundation to form.
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TOP PHOTO: As LPC’s women’s volleyball player Jade Dancel gets ready to set to her teammates, all eyes are on the ball. The home game against Gavilan College on Oct. 29 brought a win for the Hawks. (Photo by Ian Kapsalis/The Express)
Andrew Branham is a staff writer for The Express.
