Carroll P. Matherne
November 25, 2008
RoseMary Smith Giron
November 28, 2008
Even among the state’s best prep volleyball players, E.D. White’s Kathryn Stock stood out above the rest.
Stock was given the Louisiana High School Volleyball Coaches Association All-Star Game Most Valuable Player award on Saturday at Nicholls State University.
She helped lead the West team to a 3-1 victory over the East, 25-18, 21-25, 25-13, 25-23.
“It’s really exciting. I never would have expected this and I really appreciate it,” Stock said.
It was her second MVP award in a week. She named MVP of the Division III tournament after leading the Cardinals to its first state volleyball title.
Playing her final high school game in her hometown made the experience more enjoyable.
“It was awesome. I felt comfortable here, so it made it a little bit easier,” Stock said. “There are a lot of people who came here to support us.”
Stock recorded 10 kills, nine digs, and a block in the victory.
Other Tri-parish all-stars included Stock’s Cardinal teammate Hailey Silverii (West) and H.L. Bourgeois teammates Sadie Hebert (West) and Brianne Bergeron (East).
Silverii had five kills and two blocks. Hebert had three kills and four digs. Bergeron had three digs and five assists.
Hebert admitted she was intimidated at first playing with the best players in Louisiana, but she got over it.
“It was very different playing with people I didn’t know, but it was still fun,” Hebert said. “I got to meet new people and play different spots on the court at different times.”
Being on the opposite side of the net from her long-time teammate, Bergeron, in a game was also a new experience.
“It was weird. We played together four years at H.L. and at Evergreen (Junior High) we played three years together,” Hebert said. “I wish she was on my team setting me, but you have to adjust.”
For E.D. White coach Mary Cavell, still basking in the exhilaration of her first state title, it was a joy to watch her seniors compete so well with the other talented girls on court.
“It was nice because you could see how they worked with everybody,” she said. “They did a wonderful job communicating with each other. Kathryn has always been a very vocal communicator. Hailey has always been more about her actions.”
Cavell admitted it would be hard for her to replace Stock and Silverii on the court. After all, they helped lead E.D. White to five consecutive state championship games. But she knows they are destined to have bigger successes off the court.
“They were good role models as people, as well as teammates,” Cavell said. “I’ve been blessed to coach these girls. They are outstanding young ladies, not just outstanding players, and I know they will go far in life.”
E.D. White teammates Kathryn Stock (12) and Hailey Silverii (7) attempt to block a kill from St. Michael’s Jasmine Scott (10). * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
