KENNER — The Allstate Sugar Bowl/LHSAA Volleyball State Tournament kicks off Thursday at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner, and Riverside Academy is among the eight top-ranked teams preparing to battle for the Division IV championship title.

The Lady Rebels are scheduled to play a quarterfinal match against University Laboratory School at 10:50 a.m. Thursday on court 3.

Riverside previously earned a 3-0 win against University Lab with scores of 26-24, 25-11 and 25-21 during the second game of the season on Aug. 31.

However, that isn’t an excuse to underestimate the Baton Rouge team, as University Lab entered the playoffs as a third seed with a 33-6 overall record.

Riverside head coach Brandi Melancon said her team must stay focused to pull out another win.

“We can’t let our win against U-Lab earlier in the season affect how we play,” Melancon said. “They pass the ball well and run a good offense. They have a very similar style to us, so we know what to expect.”

Throughout the season, Melancon has coached the team to focus on consistent play and ball control.

Riverside is coming off a 3-0 win against Catholic High – New Iberia, culminating in 36 kills, 28 digs and a season high of 12 aces in a single game.

If successful against University Lab, the Lady Rebels will play the winner of the Northlake Christian/Notre Dame game at 10 a.m. Friday on court 3 of the Pontchartrain Center and will have a chance of advancing to the championship game at 11:30 a.m. Saturday on center court.

Tickets for Thursday’s game are $10 and will be sold at the door.