RESERVE — When Yevette Scioneaux stepped into the role of head volleyball coach at East St. John this year, she started a slogan to keep at the forefront of the program: PCB, short for Pontchartrain Center Bound.

The Nov. 14 championship at the Pontchartrain Center is the ultimate goal Scioneaux urged the girls to fight for from the first day of practice.

“If they have that from the beginning of the season, then we have more to work for,” Scioneaux said. “If you don’t have a vision or goal of where you want to go and what you want to be, then you’re just going and not reaching your destiny.”

The season has been challenging for the young Wildcats. Entering the week, the team had a 5-8 record with only three games remaining in regular season play.

However, this year has provided the groundwork for successful seasons to come, according to Scioneaux.

Several standout performers on the team are year-round players with experience on travel and summer volleyball programs. Even though Scioneaux will lose seven seniors this year, the majority of the team is made up of freshmen and sophomores.

Even the youngest players on the team are showing great potential.

“The season could be better, but it’s good that the girls are getting familiar with each other and learning how they play together,” Scioneaux said.

Willingness to help out teammates on the court is one of the Wildcats’ strengths, according to Scioneaux. When one girl feels like she isn’t able to get the ball, the other girls are quick to assist.

Scioneaux is working with the girls to help them settle into more than one position.

“I’m trying to get the girls to be comfortable playing all around,” Scioneaux said. “You never know when your key players might go down or go out. It happened this season with my libero.”

While there are a lot of skilled hitters on the team, there is a need for more setters and liberos to fortify the defense.

Scioneaux would like to see the Wildcats kill (spike) the ball more consistently. The team must also avoid hitting free balls that set the opponent up to get a kill.

“It’s important to stay in defensive mode,” Scioneaux said. “You have to know how to play offense, but volleyball is more defense.”

According to Scioneaux, it’s important to remember that every person is an opponent that has the capability of winning no matter what his or her skill level is. She reminds her players that there’s a difference between cockiness and confidence.

By promoting teamwork during practice, Scioneaux said the Wildcats are in better position to communicate on the court and keep opponents second-guessing.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, the Wildcats play a “Pink Game” for breast cancer awarness against Bonnabel at home. The game begins at 4:30 p.m. General admission is $5, and students are admitted for $3.

The Pink Game doubles as senior night, honoring Class of 2020 volleyball team members Taniyah Gross, Kelsey Harris, Ashia Henry, Mia Meyer, Ronnyell Nevers, Nadia Patterson and Ayanna Wallace.

The final regular season game will be against Grace King at 4:30 p.m. Oct. 31.

Scioneaux is looking to partner with community sponsors who can help send the girls to summer league volleyball competition. For more information, please contact 985-536-4226.