RA’s readies for ‘pink game;’ East St. John, St. Charles Catholic begin week with winning records

Published 12:01 am Wednesday, October 11, 2017

RESERVE — The Lady Rebel volleyball team has had a strong season thus far, coming into the week with a 23-6 record following the Rebel Rumble home tournament last weekend.

Thursday, the varsity and JV teams will play a “pink game” versus John Curtis, from which proceeds from raffles and ticket sales will benefit the American Cancer Society in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness month.

Head coach Brandi Melancon said raffle items and other prizes are donated by local businesses.

“Almost all the kids have had someone in their lives impacted by cancer,” Melancon said. “The pink game honors them and raises money for the cause.”

With only three weeks left of regular season play, Melancon said she is pleased with how the season has gone and is focusing on directing the team to play consistently, no matter who the opponent is.

She said the senior class has helped pave the way to a winning record.

“We rely a lot on Sydney Joseph,” Melancon said. “She’s a two-time River Parish MVP, and we’ve built our offense around her.”

She also recognized seniors Abby Bourgeois, setter for the Lady Rebels, and Briley Becker, as well as juniors Kate St. Pierre, Carli Hymel and Lexi Johnson as being fundamental to the team’s success.

St. Charles Catholic

The Lady Comets have experienced ups and downs this season, according to head coach Meghan Ericksen, but managed to earn a 10-9 record to start this week and are setting their sights on making it to playoffs at the Pontchartrain Center next month.

“Some days we play better than others,” Ericksen said. “We should be playing better than we are, but we’ve had some challenges with the practice schedule, and we’re making the best of what we have.”

As SCC undergoes construction, the volleyball team does not have access to a school gym. Ericksen said practices and games take place at Regala Gym in Reserve, resulting in limited practice times split between varsity and JV teams.

Regardless, she is hopeful the team can maintain a winning record and find success against St. James on Thursday and Lutcher on Saturday.

Ericksen is hesitant to single out individual players who have led the team to wins this season, stressing volleyball is, ultimately, a team sport.

“I don’t want to individualize one person as doing better than the rest and discourage the rest of the team,” Ericksen said. “It’s a team effort. Everyone does their part, and there are different leaders that come out with each game.”

East St. John

The East St. John Lady Wildcats are 12-10 as of Tuesday morning, maintaining a winning record by a narrow margin as head coach Halle Gayten continues to encourage the team to follow through with each game instead of becoming complacent and allowing rival teams to come from behind and steal victories.

Gayten is especially focused on improving the team’s 1-4 start to District play in order to achieve her ultimate goal of advancing to the Louisiana High School Athletic Association playoffs at the Pontchartrain Center next month.

“District is very important,” Gayten said. “We want to win those games so we can make it to playoffs and have a good seeding in playoffs.”

With a match against Destrehan Thursday and games against Thibodaux, H.L. Bourgeois and Central Lafourche scheduled for the next couple of weeks, the Lady Wildcats have the opportunity to improve their District record.

Gayten, a first-year coach at ESJH, said the season has been a learning experience for everyone.

“They’re learning about the game, and I’m learning how to coach and make it a successful season,” she said.

According to Gayten, seniors Chardea Berthelot and Tanisha Spencer continue to shine in matches and provide leadership to the team, along with junior Dorian Brown.

— By Brooke Robichaux