By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — East St. John split a pair of matches on the volleyball court this week and enter district play in its best position in recent memory.

The Ladycats fell to Thomas Jefferson Thursday but defeated St. Charles on Tuesday, securing a .500 record for the team as it prepares to host St. Amant in its district opener on Monday.

East St. John defeated St. Charles 25-13, 25-9, 23-25, 26-24 at home on Tuesday, sustaining a late Comets push to move to 7-6.

“This was a huge win for us,” said ESJ coach Monica Hebert. “I feel a lot better entering district play this season. Our offense is on a roll, we’re just working to improve our defense.”

Chentel Noble notched seven kills, four aces and four blocks for the Wildcats. Darilynn Sampson had 11 assists and four aces. Alexis Banks, Brionka Williams and Ayanna Hall each had three kills for ESJ.

For St. Charles, Emily Picciola had 13 assists and three aces. Cori Millet had seven kills and Chelsea Loupe had 20 digs and three blocks.

Thomas Jefferson derailed ESJ to a degree on Thursday, downing the Wildcats in three games, 25-11, 25-22, 25-21.

Deznee Wilson had five kills. Noble had four kills and three blocks and Sampson added nine assists and two blocks.

“We just came out flat,” said Hebert. “We weren’t all ready to play. We picked up momentum in the second game and had chances to swing it, but we had a lot of mental mistakes.”

Last weekend the Wildcats went 2-2 in the L.W. Higgins tournament, reaching the semifinals by defeating Higgins (25-16, 25-21) and West Jefferson (25-20, 25-22). ESJ fell to De La Salle (16-25, 7-25) and Bonnabel (14-25, 22-25).

“We had a much better showing than last year at that tournament,” said Hebert. “We’re definitely putting some things together. We just want to carry it into district.”