By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — East St. John pulled itself off the mat after a lopsided first game loss Thursday at home against Central Lafourche, but the Wildcats couldn’t keep it going as the Tarpons emerged with a 25-6, 22-25, 25-14 and 25-15 victory at Leon Godchaux Junior High.
Eden Keller had 15 assists and Al’lante Snyder had 14 kills to lead East St. John (8-11, 0-7). Elizabeth Scioneaux added four kills and Jessica Scioneaux served two aces.
“In the first game, we couldn’t do anything right. But once we got into that second game, we didn’t commit as many errors in terms of passing and serving,” said East St. John coach Ronnie Smith. “They refocused. They could have crumbled after that first game, but really they played back and forth with them the rest of the way.”
Smith said that some late game errors in each of the third and fourth games were the difference.
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DESTREHAN UPENDS EAST ST. JOHN — Destrehan earned a victory in its first meeting with East St. John this season, 25-15, 25-13 and 25-11.
Keller had 20 assists for East St. John. Snyder and Elizabeth Scioneaux each made seven kills. Elizabeth Scioneaux and Melanie Perrilloux each served two aces.
“Jennifer McClendon is the best player I’ve seen in our district this year,” said East St. John coach Ronnie Smith of the Destrehan star. “She can hit from anywhere. I thought we were a little intimidated.”
Scioneaux’s 11 kills over the past two games has been a lift, Smith said, and indicative of a player who has worked hard to break out of a recent slump. Scioneaux changed positions early this season from setter to outside hitter.
“The last two games, I thought, Elizabeth really played well,” said Smith. “She’s always passed the ball really well but now she’s swinging at it lot better. It’s good timing for her to be rounding into form with the second round of district play upcoming.”