THS volleyball off to best start in school history

Head coach Chip Didier’s announcement that the 2009 season would be his last with the Terrebonne Lady Tigers has spawned the team’s best start in the school’s history.

The Lady Tigers are 26-3 as of Monday.

According to 11-year coach Didier, the team is playing fundamental volleyball in “all three phases.” Barring any letup, the Lady Tigers could be playoff contenders, he predicted.

“We’re passing the ball well,” Didier said. “Our setter is doing very well and our hitters are capable of dominating at the net. As long as we are running a good offense, we’re going to be tough. We’re going to have to pick up the play of our defense and if we do that we are going to be OK.”

A large part of the Lady Tigers’ success has been the play of their “Big Three” at the net.

Terrebonne seniors Sierra Lyons and Keierica Howard and sophomore Brooke Fonseca have controlled the front line all season, keeping opponents in check and helping propel the Lady Tigers to an early 3-0 mark in district play.

Along with seniors Shelby Bourque, Jenaye Deroche, Danielle Liner and Jacey Mouton, the trio has fought to help the Lady Tigers achieve the goals they set for themselves at the beginning of the season, according to Didier.

The coach doubts his retiring spawned his team’s inspired play. Instead, he theorizes the girls understand what they want to accomplish and are striving to achieve those goals.

“It’s important that we come out and continue to play as well as we have,” Didier said. “They are playing with a lot of motivation. I think they know what they are capable of and I think that is what is motivating them.”

Heading into the heart of the district schedule, the Lady Tigers have a pair of contests against parish rivals H.L. Bourgeois, a volleyball powerhouse.

Ensuring wins will require improving their defensive play, according to Didier. To work his team on both sides of the net, the coach entered his team in several tough non-district tournaments, including this past weekend’s tourney at Country Day in New Orleans.

The stiff competition has made the Lady Tigers more physical, which will help as they make a run in the playoffs.

“We need to improve our blocking at the net and our defense,” Didier said. “As we play better teams, you are going to see (the Lady Tigers’) play pick up. That’s what I’m hoping we accomplished by playing in some of the tournaments that we did. These girls know what it takes and they want to succeed.”