By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

RESERVE — Host East St. John regrouped after a first game Hahnville barrage Tuesday, but the Tigers ultimately proved too strong to be overcome in a 25-6, 25-11, 25-15 district victory. 

“I felt like we got off to a really good start today,” Hahnville coach Mendi LeBoeuf said. “Bailee Kaplan did a really nice job again for us. Our serving was a big plus. Several players did a great job in that area and I was happy to see that.”

Marissa Bergeron had 35 assists to lead the way for Hahnville (14-9). Ellie Bergeron served six aces. Bailee Kaplan made 15 kills.

For East St. John, Desreal Schnyder posted 10 blocks. Melinda Perrilloux made three kills and served three aces.

Hahnville charged out of the gates on fire to begin the match, while a young Wildcats team struggled to answer. Kaplan served a pair of aces to push HHS’ lead at one point to 21-2. 

East St. John regrouped, and the two teams went back and forth to begin the second game. Kaplan and Stephanie Oubre took control of things for Hahnville with the score tied 8-8, first with Oubre slamming home two kills and then Kaplan two more to make it a 14-9 HHS advantage. It sparked the Tigers on a 12-2 game-ending run to stake a 2-0 lead in the match. 

In the third and final game, East St. John hung tough most of the way, but Hahnville gained control of the contest midway through and went on to earn the win.

“We didn’t get off to a great start in either the second or third games, but I liked that we were able to shake it off and start playing much better through the finish,” LeBoeuf said. 

East St. John coach Emily Palmer, who took on the Wildcats’ head coaching job just prior to district play, said her players pulled together and showed a lot more fight after game one.

“I was proud to see how they hustled,” Palmer said. “Even when Hahnville had the ball, we had girls switching positions and running to spots cross court. They showed a lot of competitiveness in the second and third games.”

Palmer said the transition to coaching the team has been  smooth.

“The girls have been extremely positive,” Palmer said. “These girls don’t really care who’s doing the coaching as long as they win. And that’s what we’re trying to build right now.”

 

WILDCATS FALL TO THIBODAUX IN THREE — Thibodaux bested ESJ in district action Wednesday, winning 25-20, 25-18 and 25-19.

Chardea Berthelot had 11 kills for ESJ. Kalah Jones added six kills, and Jessica Scioneaux had six assists.