Volleyball season ends for all area teams

The weekend’s 2009 volleyball playoffs proved too much for Tri-parish teams.

The Louisiana High School Athletic Association held the state championship playoffs at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner last weekend.

Four teams fell in the first week of play. The remaining nine contenders were defeated in the second round and quarterfinals.

In the first week of play, H.L. Bourgeois’ Lady Braves defeated New Iberia 3-1 (25-16, 25-14, 22-25, 25-23) to advance to the regionals, where they lost to St. Joseph’s 3-0.

Head coach Peter Verrett III said passing was the key in both games.

“We passed the ball probably better than we have all season against New Iberia from serve receive,” he said. “It was a great defensive effort. Everything fell into place at the right time.

“This team has overcome so many milestones,” he added. “We had a young team and look what they have done – they won a bi-district playoff game.”

Ellender advanced in Division II with their victory over Belle Chasse but were ousted in the second round by top-seeded St. Thomas More.

Morgan City defeated Westgate in the first round but lost to Breaux Bridge in round two.

Berwick upset 12-seeded Lusher on the road before falling to Academy of theSacred Heart in New Orleans, also in the second round.

In the quarterfinal round at the Pontchartrain Center, Terrebonne’s Lady Tigers defeated Destrehan and Dominican before falling to St. Joe’s in the semi- finals.

Head coach Chip Didier said he lost one of his big three at the net – sophomore Brooke Fonseca – who went out with a leg injury after landing awkwardly. St. Joe’s then showed why they were the number-one overall seed.

The Lady Tigers finished the year 40-4 overall in what was Didier’s final season.

Friday night also marked the end of an impressive 7-year streak of play in the state title game for the E.D. White Lady Cardinals.

The defending state champions defeated Riverdale and St. Michael’s before dropping a heartbreaker in the semifinals to top-seeded Notre Dame 3-1.

Houma Chirstian defeated First Baptist Christian and Central Catholic for a third time this year before having their season come to an end Friday, losing 3-0 to Metairie Park Country Day.

Earlier Friday, Vandebilt fell to Assumption in the semifinals after defeating Broadmoor and Chalmette.