By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

West St. John notched its first victory of the season on Thursday, winning in three games at home over Reserve Christian, 25-12, 25-16, and 25-21.

&#8220We learned from the mistakes we made last night and before. I feel a lot better about our performance today,” said West St. John Coach Glenda Rush.

Tranell Mitchell led the Rams with four kills, and added three aces. Destani Comminie paced the Rams with six aces.

&#8220I felt like we came together as a team,” said Comminie. &#8220I think it will be a boost for our confidence, and the first of many more wins to come.”

In the second game, after a kill by the Eagles’ Tiffani Serven, West St. John (1-2) ended the match on a 6-2 run to clinch the 25-16 victory, and take a 2-0 lead in the match.

In the third game, the teams traded the lead back and forth early on, until the Rams again seized momentum and took a 19-12 lead after consecutive aces by Krystie Barnes.

But Reserve Christian wasn’t about to quit, and embarked on a furious comeback. After a kill by the Rams Ambria Davis made it 20-13, Reserve Christian scored the next five points, including an ace by Jessica Louque, making it 20-18.

West St. John scored the next point to take a three-point lead, but the Eagles scored the next three points to tie the game, causing Rush to call a timeout.

The Rams responded, and closed the game out. First, Davis notched another kill. Then Deveney Batiste had two aces, before Barnes ended the match with a kill.

&#8220With this bunch, I think it really helps their self-esteem to get that first win out the way,” said Rush. &#8220Now, they’ll be riding a little higher.”

Reserve Christian Coach Michelle McGee was proud of the way her team fought in the final game, but says that her team still has to work toward establishing a winning mentality.

&#8220I feel like when we start to lose, sometimes they start to see it as a defeat before it happens,” said McGee. &#8220We’re breaking that this year. We want them to see themselves as winners.”

Reserve Christian did just that for two games over the weekend. On Saturday, the team competed in the Houma Christian Tournament and advanced after defeating Bethel. In one, the Eagles won in two games, 25-22 and 25-17. Amanda Watson had four kills to lead the team. The second match provided a tough foe in Riverside, in which the Eagles played the Rebels tough, losing the first game 25-21 before falling in the second game 25-9.

&#8220I was proud of their effort,” McGee said.

West St. John notched the victory over Reserve Christian after coming off of a tough loss in five games to St. James. After losing the first two games 26-24 and 25-18, West St. John lost the last three games 21-25, 21-25, and 8-15.

Comminie had seven aces to lead the Rams. Mitchell had six, to go with a team-leading seven kills.

Rush says her team is still trying to establish a mental edge going forward.

&#8220Whether they go out thinking they have more talent or not, they have to learn to outthink the other team,” Rush said. &#8220Our downfall has been making simple mistakes at crucial times. It is correctable and we’re working toward that.”