By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE — From the team’s first point to its last, Riverside players and fans celebrated with exuberance.

It had been two years since Riverside had defeated John Curtis — the Patriots hold five wins over the Rebels in that span. But Riverside finally broke through Thursday, downing Curtis 25-23, 25-17, 25-18.

A two-time defending district champion, it’s Curtis’ first district loss in the last two-plus years.

“It was a big win for our confidence,” said Riverside coach Kristy Hebert. “That’s a team that’s pretty much handled us over the past couple of seasons. I was happy to see that intensity level, but at the same time with nobody overplaying.”

Kristy Milioto had 14 kills and six aces, while Shea LaFountain had 12 and nine, respectively.

“We haven’t beat Curtis in a long time,” said Milioto. “We knew we had to beat them. We’re 1-0 in district and we’re fired up.”

Riverside charged out to a lead in the first game, scoring six of the first eight points capped by a Milioto block and kill.

“When we get ahead, the intensity just picks up,” said Milioto.

“Said Hebert: “That was our focus in practice, just maintaining intensity.”

After taking a 1-0 lead on a Jessica Jason kill, Curtis would never lead — but would make things interesting.

After another Jason kill drew Curtis within one, 16-15, Milioto and LaFountain logged kills on two of the next three Rebel points to make it 19-15. RA would lead 22-19 before Curtis stormed back to tie, scoring three straight including kills by Holle Gayton and Kirstin Hagardo.

But after trading points with JCC, Riverside closed the deal on a Milioto kill to the center of the Curtis defense, then on a Patriots return error to end things.

The second game saw Curtis (11-9, 0-1, take the early advantage, going ahead 7-4 behind strong play from Jason (two kills and an ace). Riverside (16-4, 1-0) seized control from there, though. Two LaFountain aces made it 7-7, a Kelsi Roussel kill but RA ahead 9-7, and a Megan Malik block made it a 11-7 lead for Riverside.

Riverside would go ahead by as many as eight. Leading 20-14, a LaFountain kill and ace pushed the lead to that level, and a pair of kills by Milioto clinched things later on.

The third and final game was back and forth until the late stages. Again, Curtis set out to an early lead. And again, Riverside stormed back. Neither side led by more than three at any point until a kill and ace by Milioto and a kill by LaFountain pushed Riverside ahead 19-15.

Curtis rattled off three straight points, but that was all. A LaFountain kill set off a run of six Rebel points to end the match, which included two kills by Malik.

Once Curtis failed to keep the ball in play to record the Rebels’ final point, the celebration was on.

“I can’t even put it into words. I’m just so excited,” said Milioto.

RIVERSIDE DEFEATS LUTCHER — on Tuesday the Rebels traveled to Lutcher and rallied to take the win in a hard fought five game match, 16-25, 23-25, 25-14, 26-24, 15-8.

LaFountain had 18 kills. Taylor Terrio and Toni Hebert combined for 36 assists. Kelsi Roussel had six aces. It was the Rebels’ second trip to Lutcher in four days as Riverside also competed in the LHS tournament last Saturday, going 2-2.

Riverside defeated South Terrebonne 25-12, 25-21 (Milioto – nine kills, Toni Hebert – 10 assists); topped Newman 14-25, 25-17, 15-13 (LaFountain – 16 kills); and fell to Destrehan 21-25, 23-25 (Terrio – 39 digs) in pool play. The Rebels finished second in their pool and advanced to face Ascension Catholic. The Bulldogs handed RA only its fourth loss of the season, 25-19, 25-29. Shelby Deslatte had 14 digs.