By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Each game Tuesday in Riverside’s volleyball match with John Curtis occurred in very similar fashion – the Rebels would go on a run, establish a lead, and Curtis would charge on a late comeback.

Each game also ended the same way – with the Rebels refusing to wilt under the pressure.

With the District 4-IV championship hanging in the balance for Riverside, the Rebels won the match 25-22, 25-23 and 25-20 to clinch their second straight district title – and leave the fans of the team chanting &#8220District Champs”.

&#8220It’s just a mind blowing experience,” said the Rebels’ Jessica Price, who tallied 42 assists and 17 digs in the match. &#8220We worked so hard to get here. I can’t even explain the feeling.”

The win over Curtis had to be especially sweet for Riverside (34-3, 4-0), as it helped eliminate the specter of Curtis’s late comeback in the teams’ postseason clash last season. Each time Curtis made a run late, a Rebel made a play to kill the rally.

”We played our game,” said Riverside Coach Toni Miano. &#8220We were comfortable that we’d get the job done.”

Heidi Garcich had 24 digs and 16 kills for Riverside. Marci Millet notched 20 kills to lead the team, along with 20 digs. Aimee Williamson had 24 digs of her own, while Kaitlyn Millet added five blocks.

After Riverside took lead 24-16 in the first game, Curtis made it interesting by scoring the next six points of the game. But Garcich ended the run with a match-ending kill to give the Rebels a 25-22 lead.

In the second game, the teams battled back and forth until Riverside went on a 5-0 run late in the match, including three Millet kills to make it 23-17. Curtis would score three straight points to make it 23-20 before another Millet kill made it 24-20. Curtis cut the lead to one, 24-23, after three points capped by a Sarah Chighizola ace. But a return error by Curtis capped Riverside’s second win, 25-23.

(See REBELS, Page 4C)

In the third game, Riverside led from start to finish. A 19-16 Riverside lead ballooned to 23-16 after four straight Rebel points. Curtis eventually cut the lead to 24-20, but got no closer, as another Garcich kill sealed the deal.

(See REBELS, Page 4C))

Price said that the team’s preparation was largely to thank for its success in the match.

&#8220Coach keeps our heads where they need to be when we practice,” said Price. &#8220We played with heart.”

The district title win wasn’t the only victory for Riverside this week. On Wednesday, Riverside defeated East Ascension in three games, 25-7, 25-18 and 25-14.

Marci Millet notched 13 kills. Garcich added 19 digs, while Price notched 30 assists. Kaitlyn Millet had three blocks, and Williamson had 14 digs. Forstall collected five aces.

Finally, the Rebels capped off this week’s run with a 25-5, 25-10 and 25-14 win over cross-parish rival West St. John.

Price had 34 assists and six aces. Garcich had 42 digs. Marci Millet had 23 kills and three blocks.