E.D. White returns talented lineup to volleyball court

After winning its district last fall, the E.D. White girls’ volleyball team advanced to the Class 3A state championship game for the fourth consecutive season.

A short time later, they walked off the floor a fourth consecutive season as state runner-up.

“The girls left it all on the court,” said coach Mary Cavell in reference to her squad’s loss to St. Louis. “They did the best they could. We face better competition in New Orleans –

We know that we’ll see a level of play we’re not used to (locally) each time we go to the state finals.”

E.D. White (2-0) returns a talented lineup that will once again set out to shake the designation as being “the best of the rest.”

The team will look for a spark from junior incumbents Katheryn Stock and Hailey Silverii, who both return as middle hitters.

Stock earned all-district, all-region and all-state honors for a second year as a sophomore.

Silverii reaped all-district accolades.

Senior Bayhi moves from left outside hitter to right inside hitter.

Rounding out the returnees is Caroline Becnel, who comes back as a defensive specialist.

Sophomore Jessica Politz moves in at setter to fill the void left by graduated senior Maria Thomassie, and all-state and all-star team selection.

Sophomores Lindsay Constant and Alaina Toups will play the outside hitter position.

“Last year we focused on using our middle hitters a lot, but Lindsay and Alaina will give us a balanced attack,” Cavell said. “They’ll both do a good job on defense, which will be a strength. Everyone wants to pitch in instead of relying on one or two players.”

Size, however, will be the Achilles heel of the program.

“Our blocking power kills us,” Cavell admitted. “Kathryn Stock is our tallest girl at 5-foot-10.”

But the lack of inches doesn’t hinder their progress locally.

The Lady Cardinals finished their 2006 campaign with an 8-0 record in district play and finished 25-15 overall.

Cavell has amassed a 370-180 record during her 16 years at the helm of the program and has led E.D. White to the playoffs 13 times.

The Lady Cardinals opened its 2007 season with a decisive 3-0 victory (25-6, 25-16, 25-11) over Morgan City last week. The Lady Tigers were also state runner-ups in 2006.

E.D. White will play in the H.L. Bourgeois Lady Braves Classic Thursday and Saturday at H.L. Bourgeois High School.