Andrew Galliano Sr.
October 19, 2010
Local historian revisits WWII submarine warfare
October 21, 2010
H.L. Bourgeois volleyball coach Peter Verret said he didn’t think too much about facing Terrebonne without retired coach Chip Didier, saying it was time for both teams to “move on” and enter a new phase of their rivalry.
“He’s probably on a cruise somewhere out in the Caribbean,” Verret said with a laugh. “He’s definitely not dealing with the stress that we have here anymore.”
With the first “Post-Didier” game in the rivalry now in the record books, the Braves hope the start of this new chapter continues – for a very, very long time.
That’s because H.L. Bourgeois flexed their muscles and dominated the Tigers to the tune of a quick three-set victory (25-14, 25-11, 25-15) – a style of play that has been the calling card for the team all season, according to the longtime Braves coach.
“Nothing is ever good enough in this team’s eyes,” Verret said. “Our players even push our coaching staff. These kids are their own biggest critics and they truly want to be the best they can be.”
Leading the way for the Braves (22-6, 5-0 in district) is a strong, four-player senior class.
The “big bopper” of the bunch is senior Ta’Shawna Westley, who recorded 29 kills against Terrebonne.
“My eyes were lighting up on the floor,” Westley said. “When I know it’s my set, I’m going to jump up there and kill it. That’s my job.”
Verret added that if “killing it” is Westley’s job, she does it very, very well.
“When she gets going, she’s one of the better players in this state,” the coach said.
Having a big hitter is one thing. But what Verrett said makes the Braves special is the ability to get the volleyball to Westley in positions where she could succeed.
That’s when the team’s other seniors, Brooke Porche, Jade Samanie and Sarah Smith come in, as well as the other Braves who see varsity action.
“Of course, Ta’Shawna is our big slammer,” Verret said. “But it takes a lot of ball control to get her the ball so she can do that. … And Ta’Shawna is so humble toward her teammates. She knows this is a total team effort.”
Samanie agreed, and said playing well around Westley is what will make the Braves the best team they can be throughout the remainder of the season.
“We’ve got to keep staying strong like we did [against Terrebonne],” she said. “Serve really well, pound the ball and keep our attitude positive. … We have all of the support that we need right now. Things can’t get any better.”
With the win against Terrebonne now under their belts, H.L. Bourgeois can look toward the remainder of the season and loftier goals.
The Braves are currently unbeaten in district play and list winning the district as their first goal looking forward.
“We’re going for that district championship ring, definitely,” Porche said. “We have a very good chance if we keep going the way that we’re going right now.”
If the Braves can get the district championship, they said they hope to move onto more lofty goals like playoff success.
H.L. Bourgeois ranks No. 10 in the latest LHSAA-released Class 5A volleyball power rankings.
The Braves have competed closely with some of the best teams in the state, most notably undefeated Fontainebleau, who has defeated H.L. Bourgeois three times this season, but not without a fight.
The Braves amassed 19 or more points in three of the eight sets they’ve played against the state power.
“Their players and coaches even told us that we were the only team to score that many points against them,” Westley said. “If you can score 20 against them, you know you’re a very good team.”
What happens from here is still a mystery.
But Verret knows that his team will be the best that they can possible be.
Because they won’t stop until they get there.
“We were in the gym last night from 6:30 until 8 o’clock practicing what we were going to do against Terrebonne,” Verret said. “At the end when it was time to go, the kids were telling us, ‘Coach, we don’t have school tomorrow, let’s go another half an hour.’ These kids never get enough. They are so appreciative and so loyal. I have great parents, and we have great fans. This is the perfect situation this year, and we’re moving in a direction that we’re excited about.”
H.L. Bourgeois senior outside hitter Ta’Shawna Westley (left) rises up for a kill over Terrebonne defenders Brooke Fonseca (11) and Kellie Scoby (10). The Braves’ senior overwhelmed the Tigers’ defense, landing 29 kills in the match. CASEY GISCLAIR
