Bulldogs top Rams, but WSJ rebounds against Bears

Published 12:00 am Monday, October 20, 2008

By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

West St. John lost a key district battle this week, but fired back with a win two days later to move to 4-1 in District 3-V win.

The Rams defeated North Iberville in four games, 25-27, 25-14, 25-22, 25-19 at West St. John, two days after losing to visiting Ascension Catholic in a battle of teams with undefeated district records.

Entering the season, West St. John had never beaten North Iberville under Coach Glenda Rush. Now, Rush has two victories over the Rams’ district rival, after the Rams beat the Bears on Sept. 30.

“I saw a lot of fight my girls tonight,” said Rush after the win over North Iberville.

The Bears seemed to snatch momentum after finalizing a tough 27-25 win in the first game. But Rush made a change in her team’s alignment, and West St. John (8-4, 4-1) took control.

“I had them playing back too far,” Rush said. “They were dinking us in the middle again and again. I told the girls after that to bring their defense up. After that, we were able to set their dinks and spikes.”

The Rams did that – and how. Kyla Morris had 35 digs, as did Malana Farnell. Shanea Julien had 32, Brittany Tuco had 30, Ambria Davis had 28, and Talor Lewis had 23.

West St. John controlled the second game, and fended the Bears off in the third.

North Iberville came out with a strong series to begin the fourth game – the Bears led 6-0 before Rush called a time out.

“I just needed them to settle down,” she said. “They got their focus back, and went on a rampage from there.”

Morris had 11 kills and 12 blocks. Julien had eight kills, and Farnell had seven. 

Shannon West led North Iberville with 11 kills, five aces, and 10 assists.

It wasn’t the same kind of ending on Tuesday for the Rams, though. West St. John (7-4, 3-1) got out to early leads in each of its three games with Ascension Catholic Tuesday. But the Bulldogs took a big step towards defending its district crown with a 25-22, 25-13, 25-23 win.

“It just didn’t fall our way,” Rush said. “The girls played well. Their serves were strong, they ran the plays. They fought well and fought hard.”

Morris had 35 digs, 11 blocks and four kills. Farnell had 27 digs. Julien had seven blocks.

Rush says her team was disappointed in losing what was essentially a game for the district lead, but said they put it in perspective.

“They weren’t down on themselves. They’re just disappointed,” she said.

The Rams (7-3) defeated Salmen over the weekend, 20-25, 25-19, 25-19, 26-24.

Morris had seven kills, eight blocks and 15 digs. Farnell had three aces.