By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

 LAPLACE — Riverside followed up a second place finish at last weekend’s Dutchtown tournament with an impressive effort Tuesday, sweeping host Northlake Christian in three games, 25-19, 25-17 and 27-25.

The Rebels trailed 24-19 in the third and final game before rallying to win and clinch in three.

“It was a championship-level performance,” said Riverside coach Chelsey Lucas-Nicholas. “We played a district, state championship-caliber game. To come back against a team like that at the end, with everyone pulling together, staying with the basics, listening to coach and stepping up when we needed them too, it was a great, great win for us.’

“This team is capable of playing some very dominant, unstoppable volleyball when we put our minds to it. This game showed us that we can do it.”

Kendra Turner racked up 26 kills in 28 attempts. She also served five aces and made eight blocks and 18 digs.

Briley Becker made a big impact on the serving line, netting 18 aces while adding 18 digs. Cameron Hymel had 21 assists, seven aces and 12 digs. Dani Hebert added 18 assists and five kills.

Northlake Christian and Riverside played in two preseason matches, with Northlake winning a scrimmage and Riverside winning in jamboree action.

“And our win was a tough one,” said Lucas-Nicholas of the jamboree. “They’re a tough team.”

Lucas-Nicholas said that a big key was the team’s serving, particularly Becker and her 18 ace performance.

“She really stepped up for us,” said Lucas-Nicholas. “Tough serving is something I’ve been emphasizing especially this year. When you make strong serves, it prevents the other team from getting into their offensive sets.”

Riverside finished second overall at the Dutchtown tournament Saturday, besting Ascension Christian, St. Amant, Ascension Catholic and Dutchtown en route to the championship game.

Turner finished the tournament with 79 kills, 15 blocks and 11 aces. Toni Hebert had a total of 16 assists and 15 digs. Hymel had 18 assists, four aces and eight kills while Dani Hebert made 41 assists and eight digs.

The Rebels will return to action today at the Morgan City tournament. On Tuesday, RA will travel to face Assumption. Then Friday, Riverside begin play at the St. Thomas Aquinas tournament.

In the meantime, Riverside will look to get back to full health. Both Rebel setters, Hymel and Toni Hebert, are sidelined with minor injuries.