Ashlee Cooper leads at the net with 15 kills, two blocks

By JOHNNY PEPPO

Sports Editor

RESERVE — At home on Saturday, the Lady Wildcats took a quick three games from Ponchatoula in a late morning game that ended before noon.

After jumping out on top in the first game, East St. John coasted to a 25-17 win.

The second game remained close throughout, as senior Ashlee Cooper was a fixture at the net, with 15 kills and two blocks. After battling their way to a 17-14 advantage, the Lady Wildcats went on an 8-t-3 run for a win to take command of the match. Ponchatoula was unable to gain momentum in the two game deficit and struggled all the way to a 25-13 final game for an ESJ win.

Junior Trenise Evans and senior Maira Harris led the Lady Wildcats at the service line with five aces apiece. Evans also added six kills in the bi-district round victory. They now advance to the regionals starting Wednesday in Lafayette against Chapelle.

“We’ve seen them [Chapelle] twice already this season and beat them both times,” said Coach Sandi Stein of their next opponent. “A third time would be the charm.”

Cooper also seemed optimistic

“We can go all the way. We ain’t gonna roll over for anybody.”