By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

LAPLACE — St. Charles Catholic collected its first win on the volleyball floor last weekend. The Lady Comets liked it so much, they added a couple more.

St. Charles won three games at last weekend’s Loyola tournament in New Orleans, going 3-3 overall.

St. Charles coach Kelly Cupit said the team has been shuffling its lineup for the first portion of the season, partially due to injuries and partially due to introducing so many new faces to the lineup. But she said the team may have found a mix that will last.

“We were able to do some things that we hadn’t before. I think the girls gained some confidence in this lineup,” said Cupit. “But more than anything, they were excited to go out and get a win.”

Three, in fact. But the Comets first broke through in the fourth game of the weekend, defeating Pope John Paul II 25-17, 25-20.

Chelsea Loupe collected nine digs, three aces, and two kills to lead the Comets. Courtney Snyder and Cori Millet had three aces and Emily Picciola had nine assists.

The Comets moved on to defeat St. Mary’s, winning 25-23, 25-17. Heather Orillion led all defenders with 12 digs. Loupe had five aces and two blocks. Picciola, Millet and Loupe each collected four kills and Picciola had 11 assists.

The Comets rematched Pope John Paul II to end their tourney stay and found the same result, besting the Jaguars 25-20, 25-11.

Millet had four aces and 10 digs. Loupe collected nine kills and Picciola notched 14 assists, the Comets’ tournament high.

“She stepped up,” said Cupit of Picciola, who is adjusting into a new role as setter. “Our girls have all done a really good job of adapting to different roles, especially this past weekend.”

The Comets fell in early tournament action to Murphy (9-25, Loupe six digs), Westminster (19-25, 14-25, Megan Ruiz 10 assists), and McGehee (5-25, 14-25, Loupe eight digs).

For the first time this season the Comets took their home court on Tuesday, their home opener coming against Vandebilt Catholic after three weeks of road action. The Terriers won all three games, 12-25, 13-25, 18-25.

“We played them once before this season, and we improved a lot from that match,” said Cupit. “I thought in the third set, our passing and serving improved and kept us in it.”

Millet and Loupe each had 11 digs to lead the defense. Orillion and Nicole Doming each collected a pair of kills. Loupe also had five blocks.

St. Charles (3-8) returns to action on Tuesday against East St. John in Reserve, then returns home for three games.

“Everyone’s very eager, we have a busy week upcoming,” said Cupit. “We’re excited to be playing at home again.”