Veteran coach Chandra Ewen, of Prairieville, and first year head coach Kevreion Ward, of Ascension Catholic, share a bond.
Both coaches won their respective districts this season, the first for newly formed Prairieville and the first for Ward at Ascension Catholic. The other part of that bond is they both played at Assumption High for legendary head coach Sandy Fussell.
The LHSAA volleyball playoffs begin this week with fifth-ranked Prairieville and fourth ranked Ascension Catholic hosting first-round games at their respective schools.
Ewen, who once was the head coach at Ascension Catholic for 13 years, was beaming over her team鈥檚 accomplishments this season.
鈥淚t is a little hard to put into words how special it is to win our first district championship in our third season,鈥� Ewen said. 鈥淲e play in a very competitive district. We brought back some experienced players, and they put the work in and learned how to play together. Their mental toughness has been amazing, that is what led us to winning district.鈥�
Ascension Catholic won its district in season one under Ward and she was excited to watch the improvement of her team this season.
鈥淚 took the head coaching job late in the spring, these young ladies have made it so much easier for me in my first season,鈥� Ward said. 鈥淭he experience we had returning has been a blessing. Winning district is an accomplishment for these girls and the coaches. It has helped instill confidence and get rid of any self-doubt they may have had coming into this season with a new coach.
鈥淚 am truly proud of their mental toughness and dedication to our program, Ward said.鈥�
The Hurricanes (30-8) have been led by junior outside hitter Kate Perniciaro and sophomore outside hitter Brasia Smith at the net.
鈥淜ate was all-district and all-metro last season; she works on her game to be a six-rotation player. She is a captain and brings calmness to our team. Brasia is a machine and rises to the challenge. She has worked on her defense and it has showed,鈥� Ewen said.
Junior setter Haley Sears has hit 1,000 assists at the end of her sophomore season; she runs the offense. Sophomore libero Jayci Harvey has been a steady force. Sophomore Ally Guidry has been good as an outside and middle for the Hurricanes.
鈥淕uidry does not make mistakes at the net often and has a powerful serve,鈥� Ewen said.
Sophomore middle hitter Charli-Kate Secrist is strong at the net and according to Ewen rarely makes errors at the net.
Ascension Catholic (22-14) is led by a senior group that has been to the Cajundome (state championships) the last three years. Senior Ava Gauthe is a force at the net as an outside and middle back. Senior Emerson Lemann has stepped into the setter role this season and has been a consistent server all season. Senior Libero Karsyn Chaney plays excellent defense and serves with consistency. Senior Sadie Kessler has stepped up as a middle hitter and blocker. Senior Caroline Diez has been a steady defensive specialist for the Bulldogs.
鈥淭he seniors have been so consistent and have led this team,鈥� Ward said. 鈥淕authe has been strong for us at the net all season, our offense goes through her. Lemann is all around setter for us, plays great defense and is such a consistent server. Kessler has been a good blocker at the net in her first season starting. Chaney makes us better when she is on the court, her play is consistent and calming. Diez plays good defense for our team and has played well in her first season starting.
鈥淭he group returning had experience with Gauthe and Chaney, but the other seniors and underclassmen have stepped up,鈥� Ward said.
Juniors Elle Templet, an outside hitter, and Lillie Young, right side, are key players as well as sophomore middle Parker Melancon.
Both coaches know the schedule they played this season have prepared them for the playoffs and that they will need to be at their best.
鈥淭he goal all along was to make it to the Cajundome and getting to host the first two rounds makes it exciting. We must earn the right to host that second playoff game at home. We expect to be challenged, a lower seed in Division I does not meet anything, everyone is good. The coaches are looking forward to seeing what this group can accomplish,鈥� Ewen said.
鈥淭he playoffs are the next step for us; we have built up to this,鈥� Ward said. 鈥淲orking on our skills from Day 1 and now adding in the mental part of the game all season has prepared our team. Coach Renee and I have confidence in this group, we have grown together since that first team camp in the summer. Our mindset of never giving up, no matter the adversity that comes our way will take us a long way in a challenging division. We earned the opportunity to host in our gym and not its time for us to put it all together and continue to trust each other.鈥�
Volleyball regular-season records
Division I
Prairieville (30-8)
St. Amant (21-14)
Dutchtown (20-14)
East Ascension (24-19)
Division IV
Donaldsonville (6-4)
Division V
Ascension Catholic (22-14)
Ascension Christian (19-9)
Playoff matchups (unofficial) to begin Nov. 2
DI
#5 Prairieville hosts #28 Covington
#16 St. Amant hosts #17 Dutchtown
#22 East Ascension travels to #11 Ponchatoula
DV
#4 Ascension Catholic hosts #29 West St. John
#7 Ascension Christian hosts #26 Opelousas Catholic
Week 9 football roundup
Prairieville 35, Live Oak 17
St. Amant 31, Dutchtown 21
Donaldsonville 41, Northeast 18
Ascension Christian 69, Fisher 7
Ascension Catholic 42, South Plaquemines 0
Denham Springs 41, East Ascension 38
Week 10:
Thursday: *East Ascension (7-2) at Dutchtown (7-2)
*District 5-5A title
Friday:
St. Amant (5-4) at Live Oak
Prairieville (5-4) hosts Franklinton
Donaldsonville (4-5) hosts Slaughter Charter
Ascension Christian (9-0) at St. John
Ascension Catholic (8-1) at Westminster Christian Lafayette
Power rankings with playoff scenario
DI nonselect:
#6 East Ascension (host first round)
#7 Dutchtown (host first round)
#13 St Amant (host first round)
#19 Prairieville (travel first round)
DIII nonselect:
#22 Donaldsonville (travel first round)
DIV select:
#2 Ascension Catholic (first-round bye)
Middle school scores and standings
End of season
Bluff 32, Dutchtown 20
Central 28, Gonzales 14
Prairieville 30, Galvez 14
Lake 30, St. Amant 22
League Champion: Central Mustangs
Central 8-0
Lake 7-1
Bluff 6-2
Dutchtown 4-4
Gonzales 4-4
Prairieville 3-5
St. Amant 2-6
Lowery 2-6
Galvez 0-7