By RYAN ARENA
L’Observateur

LAPLACE— Riverside Academy lost much of the core of a team that marched to two straight volleyball semifinals in 2012 and 2013, but the Rebels were right back in the playoffs this season behind a crop of new stars and coach Chelsey Lucas-Nicholas.

It’s with that in mind that L’OBSERVATEUR’S 2014 All-Parish Volleyball team is led by Rebels’ senior TyJah Greenup and Lucas-Nicholas, our selections as St. John Parish MVP and Coach of the Year, respectively.

The Rebels needed someone to step up and lead after the graduation of current Tennessee Volunteer Kendra Turner from the Rebel lineup, and Greenup fit the bill. She tallied 273 kills, 100 aces, 191 digs and 40 blocks to lead Riverside back to the postseason, where it advanced to the regional round.

Lucas-Nicholas earns her third consecutive parish Coach of the Year honor, keeping Riverside afloat after the graduation of a number of key senior players, including leading hitter Turner. Riverside went 26-12 this season and finished as runner-up in its district to Division IV power John Curtis.

They are joined on the team by fellow Rebels Haylee Eldridge and Briley Becker, a senior and freshman, respectively.

St. Charles Catholic is represented by three players as well, as juniors Alyssa Arceneaux and Maddie Murphy and freshman Grace Mohon helped lead SCC to a three win improvement in 2014.

West St. John put together its second straight winning record and postseason appearance, and senior libero Tre’Shaun Trench was a big reason why. She rounds out the 2014 All-Parish squad.