October 14
October 14, 2008October 16
October 16, 2008
The H.L. Bourgeois Lady Braves stayed undefeated for this afternoon’s showdown with defending District 6-5A volleyball champs Assumption by beating a pair of Lady Tigers last week.
Their win on Thursday at Thibodaux (7-5, 3-3) was typical of most Lady Braves (15-0, 7-0) matches – a three-game sweep, 25-7, 25-13, 25-15.
But it was last Tuesday’s epic battle against nemesis Terrebonne High School that may prove how good they really are.
In an atmosphere more akin to the Roman Coliseum than a high school gymnasium, H.L. was pushed beyond three games for the first time all season.
After winning the first two games, Bourgeois was trounced in the next two games, only to hold on in the final game for the victory 25-7, 25-23, 20-25, 15-25, 16-14.
“These were two really good teams that came to the court. It could have have gone either way,” said Lady Brave head coach Peter Verret III. “In the end, it came down to who wanted it the most, and we’re very happy to come out with a win.”
“It’s going to be a loss that’s tough to come back from,” said Lady Tiger head coach Chip Didier. “But we have to. We don’t have a choice. There are too many good teams in this district to hang our heads on one loss.”
Bourgeios blasted their way to an easy, game-one win on the strength of seven service aces.
Neither team held a lead larger than two points in the second game. After nine ties and six lead changes, Bourgeios’ Sadie Hebert (15 kills, 7 aces) ended the longest rally of the set with a kill that gave the Lady Braves a 2-0 advantage.
“I was concerned after the first set because nobody had served us off the court like that,” Didier said. “I think we outplayed them in the second set, but that wasn’t reflected in the score because we made some mental mistakes. The third and fourth games we played just like the second and the score came in our favor.”
Terrebonne led throughout games 3 and 4, and the swagger the Lady Braves flaunted earlier in the match was completely gone.
“I was worried about their attitude and their mindset because they hadn’t been in this position all year,” Verret said. “But once they got into the swing of things, as far as knowing what had to be done, I felt very confident in them.”
The girls’ gymnasium at Terrebonne turned into a deafening echo chamber throughout the final game.
As the rival cheerleaders and fans attempted to outshout each other with simultaneous H-L-B and T-H-S chants, communication amongst players and coaches seemed impossible.
The only voice audible over the thunderous crowd was that of David Hebert, father of Sadie Hebert.
“You got to serve strong, girls!” he yelled. “No weak hits! Let’s go!”
There was nothing weak about game five. Bourgeois got out to a 4-1 start only to have Terrebonne score the next four points and take the lead 5-4.
Bourgeois tied the game 5-5 on an Hebert kill, then held the lead until Terrebonne managed to tie the game at 13 and 14 all.
The Lady Tigers hit the ball out of bounds on the final two points to give the Lady Braves the victory.
“I think in the long run, this is going to prepare us for getting into the state tournament,” Verret said. “Matches like this are what we’re going to see later on and hopefully we’ll be ready at that point.”
“Their defense is great. It’s the best team Peter’s had in a long time,” Didier praised. “If you’re going to beat them, you’re going to have to play really, really well and be consistent.”
Besides Hebert, leading Bourgeois were TaShawna Westley with 18 kills and four blocks; Chelsea Steele had 13 kills and four blocks; Brianne Bergeron had 43 assists and four aces; Blair Billiot added 14 digs; Brooke Porche had 13 digs and Arielle Domingue had 10 digs.
For Terrebonne, Sierra Lyons blasted 26 kills; Brooke Fonseca added 12 kills and 8 blocks; Danielle Liner had 27 assists; Shelby Bourque had 13 digs and three aces; Macie LeBouef had 16 assists; Danielle Dorian had 16 digs and Lori Aguillard had nine digs.
Fans of the rival schools may already be making plans for the Oct. 30 rematch at H.L. Bourgeois, but neither coach is thrilled by the prospect.
“We’ll come to play,” Verret assured.
“I’m not looking forward to it right now,” Didier explained. “I’ll worry about that on the 29th.”
Terrebonne’s Brooke Fonseca (right) attempts to block a kill from Bourgeois’ Sadie Hebert in the Lady Braves five-set win last Tuesday. * Photo by KEYON K. JEFF
