By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

West St. John coach Glenda Mattos saw one of her team’s most spirited efforts of the season in its first round Division V playoff match at Central Catholic, but it wasn’t enough to topple the Eagles and advance.

Central Catholic bested their district foes for the third time this season, winning 25-23, 25-7 and 25-19 Wednesday to advance to the regional round, where the No. 10 Eagles will face No. 7 Ascension Catholic.

Dmyriah Herbert had five kills to lead West St. John. Amaya Lumar had three kills, and Maya Trench two. Kaieonne Sorapuru had two kills and two aces, while Brittany August served two aces.

Kaitlyn Gros led the Lady Eagles with eight kills, 26 assists and 10 digs, while Hallie Autin had 12 kills. Brittany Longman added 11 kills.

Central Catholic (20-20) defeated the Rams twice during district play, but West St. John began Wednesday’s match with a lot of fire, pushing the Eagles farther in the first set than they had in any of their two previous encounters.

“We really, really battled in that first and third set,” Mattos said. “We kind of dropped off emotionally in the second game after losing that close first set. Central Catholic’s defense was a big key, and they capitalized on some of the soft spots we left open in our defense. My girls picked up their spikes and did a good job, but (Central Catholic) played like a well-oiled machine.”

Mattos said the first set especially highlighted a Rams team playing its best volleyball.

“(Assistant coach) Brandon (Dumas) and I were talking during the game saying, ‘This is the team we’ve always felt we could be this season,’” Mattos said. “I’m very proud of our players.”

It was a disappointing end to a positive season for West St. John, which entered play this year hoping to build on its playoff success of a year ago, when the Rams earned the first home playoff victory in team history.

This year’s Rams team finished with a winning record once more at 12-7 overall, but drew the No. 22 seed in Division V and didn’t have the opportunity to host a postseason game.

Still, West St. John will see a group of six seniors graduate who will leave the program on a positive upswing. Those players, August, Sorapuru, Tre’Shaun Trench, Sydnie Harrison, Lumar and Candace Roussel, will be missed, Mattos said.

“They weren’t just good players on the court, but they helped our younger girls get up to speed and helped in any way they could,” Mattos said.

“Our young girls really respected our senior class because of the work they put in and the way they carried themselves.”