J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO: From left, Kayla Rebaldo, Katie Arcuri and Amanda Rebaldo have been working hard to prepare for the upcoming prep volleyball season.(Staff Photo by J. Edmund Barnes) LAPLACE – Michelle Dearmitt watched her volleyball team practice serving drills and said, “We’re young.” Young might be a bit of an understatement. The St. Ch-arles Catholic High School Volleyball team lost five seniors in May and only returns one. There are five juniors, five sophomores and six freshmen on the team, but while the team might be youthful, they are also experienced. All the juniors went to the state tournament last year, and according to Dearmitt they got lots of playing time. The team itself is small, physically. “(We’re) not very big,” said Dearmitt. “Being young and without a lot of experience, defense will have to be our strong point.” When asked about her teams strengths, Dearmitt laughed and joked, “We don’t have one!” While Dearmitt is worried primarily about the young team, she expects leadership from every member of the team. “I expect all of them to be team leaders,” said Dearmitt. “I hope they all step up. With only one senior I hope the other juniors will step up and help her carry that weight and responsibility.” The team has been practicing as a squad since August 6th, but have been meeting informally since early July. Dearmitt put them on a weight lifting and conditioning program designed to get them ready to play. Dearmitt said staying in shape was the key to her player’s summertime workout regime, “because when you come to condition its going to be rough.” The early practice sessions have been to stressing three aspects of volleyball: fundamentals, accuracy and communication. “We’re getting there,” said Dearmitt. “The only way we’re going to get better is repetition. If you do it enough the you’re going to see improvements in yourself and your teammates.” Dearmitt foresees the district shaping up into a match between Lutcher High School, E. D. White School out of Thibodaux, and the Comets. The three schools are “always fighting for the top three spots,” said Dearmitt. Katie Arcuri is the sole senior on the Comet’s volleyball team. A four year veteran of the 3A district play, Arcuri has been spending time running after practices with Amanda and Kayla Rebaldo. Both Rebaldos and Arcuri missed practices in the summer for vacation, and the team mandates two miles on the track for every practice missed. “I always liked volleyball,” said Arcuri. “I knew it was going to be tough.” Arcuri said as the only senior she will try to set a good example to the younger kids. “I’m going to try to hustle, not to be lazy to help them out, to teach them the right ways,” said Arcuri. “I feel like I’ve got a lot of weight on my shoulders.” Arcuri will have the support of all the juniors, said Amanda Rebaldo. “I’m like the one who gets (the freshmen and sophomores to hustle),” she said. “All the juniors are behind (Arcuri). We help her out.” Amanda’s sister Kayla Rebaldo is one of the youth on the team that will be looking up to Amanda and Arcuri. “I just like sports,” said Kalya Rebaldo. “I try to play everything I can.”