By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

Riverside had little trouble in its season opener Thursday, defeating Lutheran at home in three games, 25-7, 25-11, and 25-13.

Heidi Garcich had 12 kills, three aces and 15 digs, while Kaitlyn Millet had 12 kills and two blocks to lead the Rebels.

Aimee Williamson added 15 assists.

Riverside Coach Mandy Luminais said that her team ran as many set plays as possible during the match, a way of somewhat making up for the lost practice time that came as a result of Gustav – the Rebels were able to hold only one practice prior to the opener, having last played on the Aug. 27 jamboree at Lutcher.

“We ran as many combinations as we could. On every free ball, we ran a play,” said Luminais. “Our offense was awesome today.”

She said that the lack of practice time, coupled with the time off, eliminated a lot of the jitters that come with a season opening game. It also allowed some of the Rebel starters to nurse some minor injuries.

“It was beneficial in a way,” she said. “We were a little banged up, and some of our girls got a good amount of rest. There was less pressure, because it wasn’t as if we spent two weeks preparing for one game. Here we just came out and played.”

She noted Garcich, Millet, and Shaney Borne as three who stepped up in the opener.

It was also the first head-coaching victory of Luminais’ career at Riverside.

“It feels like a weight’s been lifted off my shoulders,” she said. “It’s a relief. I’ve got some really big shoes to fill. But we had a very, very good first game.”

Riverside’s matches against East St. John and Ponchatoula that were scheduled for today have been cancelled. The Rebels are slated to face St. Charles this Tuesday.