By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

METAIRIE — St. Charles Cathoic officially began its season with a pair of tough matchups this week.

The Comets fell to Vandebilt Catholic on Tuesday, 8-25, 19-25, 13-25 and to Country Day on Wednesday, 7-25, 7-25, 10-25.

Both games came on the road.

St. Charles coach Kelly Cupit said that the effort improved greatly from the first to the second game against both teams, but that a faster start will be necessary if the Comets are to compete.

“We seem like we get warmed up by that second game, but we have to get going earlier,” said Cupit. “That first set, we’re getting loose, going through the motions, and we start in an early hole.”

Against Vandebilt, Cori Millet scored three kills. Heather Orillion added 16 digs. Peyton Millet had seven assists and Nicole Doming notched three blocks.

Chelsea Loupe led the way against the Cajuns, notching five kills, two blocks and five digs. Millet also had five digs and Megan Ruiz had two assists.

Cupit sees plenty of correctable errors. Topping the list: she wants to see more communication between her players.

St. Charles boasts almost all new names in the lineup from a year ago, making verbal communication a must if the team is to mesh quickly.

“If we start communicating, we’ll improve greatly,” said Cupit. “But if we don’t, we won’t get there. It’s a long road right now. But one good thing is the team comes out and wants to play and play hard. If they keep doing that, we’ll be fine.”