By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

The West St. John volleyball team earned its first wins of the season this week, toppling East Iberville at home on Tuesday and on the road on Wednesday.

The Rams captured Tuesday’s match in four games, winning 25-13, 24-26, 25-9, and 25-8. It took only three to secure the win Wednesday: 25-19, 25-16, 25-20.

The wins were the first as West St. John coach for Valerie Gauthier, who says the victories are key for confidence.

“Moral is up for everyone. The girls are excited, as well as I,” said Gauthier. “I thought winning at home really set us up for success the next night. They weren’t cocky, just confident, and they followed through for another win.”

While WSJ suffered a hiccup in the second game of Tuesday’s match, the rest of the day was dominated by the Rams, who took each of its three game wins by convincing margins.

Kyla Morris and Malana Farnell led the Rams (1-1) with five kills each. Farnell and Tahajenik Howard each served three aces. Morris added three blocks.

Wednesday’s game did not see the same double digit victory margins, but that was ok by Gauthier, who saw her Rams (2-1) take care of business in three games.

“I thought we just played very consistently through both matches,” said Gauthier. “They were meshing and talking – I thought that was a little bit of a problem in our last loss (to South Lafourche). They were hustling, covering for one another…the girls did an excellent job.”

Farnell and Brittany Tuco each led West St. John with eight kills. Morris had four blocks. Farnell added eight aces.

SOUTH LAFOURCHE DOWNS WEST ST JOHN – The Rams faced South Lafourche on Thursday in a game rescheduled from a week prior.

The Tarpons took the match in four games, 25-18, 25-20, 23-25, and 25-11.

Morris left the game early on with an ankle injury and would not return, which left the Rams (2-2) without one of its top producers this season.

“It was really an off night for us. That’s all I can really call it,” said Gauthier. “We lost Kyla, and I don’t know if maybe it shook them up. But we were just off.”

Tuco led the Rams with 35 digs. Talor Lewis and Howard each added 31.

Tuco also led the team in kills with 12. Howard added 11. Farnell had seven and Ormoni Favorite had six.

Gauthier says that, along with Morris, Howard has been one player who has stepped up her contributions on the court.

“She’s been an excellent defensive player for us,” Gauthier said. “Wherever she needs to be, she’s always there. We can rely on her.”