By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

While the rivalry between Riverside and St. Charles never truly went away, it was just a little less intense in nature in 2007 and 2008. Such is the case when reclassification separated the two local foes by bumping the Comets up to Class 3A and out of the Rebels’ district.

The emotion was back in a big way in 2009.

The two teams added a classic series to their rivalry’s history when St. Charles toppled Riverside twice in district play during the regular season, only for the Rebels to end SCC’s season when the two teams were matched up in the first round of the postseason.

The teams were the class of St. John Parish, and thus are well represented on L’Observateur’s All-Parish Volleyball team – three players from each school adorn the squad, as well as a coach.

Riverside junior Shea LaFountain is the selection for the parish’s Most Valuable Player after a highly productive season in which she led her Rebels into the regional round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, Riverside’s Kristy Hebert receives honors as St. John Parish’s Coach of the Year after guiding her Comets to the postseason and a runner-up finish in District 7-IV.

LaFountain was clearly the Rebels leader on the floor and became known this season for a penchant for heating up at key times in big games. She totaled over 12 kills a game (467 in 38 games) to go along with 3.4 blocks and 15.6 digs per contest.

With her Rebels on the brink of elimination at St. Charles in the bi-district round of the playoffs – SCC led 24-20 in the match’s fourth game, a point away from moving on – Riverside rallied to take a 27-25 win and force a fifth game, which it dominated en route to a 15-6 clinching decision.

LaFountain was huge in the match, notching 34 kills and effectively taking over late in the fourth game to spur her team on.

Riverside gave top seeded McGehee some early fits in the second round before bowing out in three games.

Cupit, meanwhile, guided SCC to a regular season sweep of Riverside and a district runner-up finish to John Curtis in her debut-coaching season.

Kaitlyn Millet, and Aimee Williamson join LaFountain in representing Riverside.

Millet and Williamson, each seniors, were defensive standouts that shared time as setters during the season. Millet led Riverside in assists (21 APG) and blocks (5 BPG), while Williamson topped all Rebels in digs (23 DPG).

Meg Gustafson, Courtney Western and Jaymie Remondet join Cupit as Comets on the roster.

Gustafson, a senior, was SCC’s leader on and off the floor. She tallied 170 blocks (six per game) to go with 41 aces and 65 blocks. Also a senior, Western’s 321 assists were among the best in the parish, while junior Remondet totaled 99 kills and 44 blocks.

West St. John’s Kyla Morris secures a spot on the team for a second straight season as well.

The senior Ram was the team leader in blocks and kills once again.