By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Lutcher’s volleyball season came to an end on Thursday afternoon, as the Bulldogs had no answer for top seeded Notre Dame.

The Pioneers took a 25-13, 25-15, 25-13 Division III quarterfinal victory at the Pontchartrain Center, controlling the match throughout.

“Notre Dame’s very good,” said Lutcher coach Ricky LeBlanc. “They play great defense, and don’t give you much of anything.”

Notre Dame (39-5) advanced to the semifinals on Friday to face fourth seeded E.D. White.

Lutcher, the No. 8 seed, finished its season 26-13.

It is the second consecutive year that LHS has been eliminated by the tournament’s top seed, after fallng to E.D. White last season.

Mayme Cook led Notre Dame with 17 kills. Kylie Pannell had eight kills and four aces. Hannah Godeaux had 20 assists and Alex Boulet added 20 digs.

Lauren Bourgeois led the way for LHS with six kills and four blocks. Holly Martin had five assists and Alexis Louque added 10 digs.

The two teams began the first game playing one another to a virtual draw – until Kylie Pannell slammed down a kill to put the Pios ahead 10-8. Kills by Godeaux and Cook followed, and it ignited a big run – Notre Dame jumped out to a 19-10 lead after a 10-2 run. Pannell finished things off with a spike.

“I thought we’d be okay,” said LeBlanc. “We’ve played poorly in the opening game before, only to bounce back.”

Bourgeois seemed to get Lutcher started on the right foot in the second game by scoring off a block. But the advantage was fleeting. Cook’s tip tied the game, and Notre Dame scored the next six points to go ahead 7-1. Holding a 9-5 lead, the Pios scored six straight to make it a 10-point game. They’d lead by as many as 12, and a service error clinched a 2-0 lead for Notre Dame.

“It seemed like we started doubting our abilities, what we can do, near the end of that first game,” said LeBlanc. “When you don’t play at full speed, you worry about a mistake on this play or that play…it just steamrolled from there.”

The third game resembled the first, with the teams jockeying for an early advantage. But like each of the previous games, once Notre Dame got rolling, it was all over. With the scored tied at 8-8, Notre Dame rattled off five straight points and 11 of the next 13 to take a 19-10 lead. Cook set her team up for the win with kills for her team’s 23rd and 24th points, and Lutcher fell for good after a service error.

“I’m disappointed in the way it ended,” said LeBlanc. “Just knowing we can play better…but we had a good year.”