By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

RESERVE – Bring on Episcopal.

That’s what’s next for the Riverside Rebels after its first round win over Mansfield in the Division IV volleyball playoffs. The Rebels took a convincing win in three games, 25-8, 25-13, 25-5 to advance to the second round.

The ninth-seeded Rebels (26-7) are one victory away from a trip to the Pontchartrain Center for the state volleyball tournament. No. 8 Episcopal-Baton Rouge stands in the way. Episcopal will host the second round game between the teams. It had a bye in the first round, as did each of the top eight seeds.

“We did well, but we’ll need to step it up even more for the next game,” said Riverside’s Taylor Terrio, who finished with six aces and 15 assists. “It brings us one step closer to state.”

Riverside made short work of the Wolverines (10-12), only truly going nip and tuck with their opponents in the early stages of the second game.

The Rebels led 8-3 before allowing three straight points, but then a Shea LaFountain kill sparked a big Rebel run. Her ace made it 13-6, and a Kristy Milioto kill made it 14-6. LaFountain struck again with a leaping swap from midcourt that dropped for a 15th point. Mansfield broke through finally to snap a 10-0 run, but Riverside responded by scoring the final seven points of the game, including a Toni Hebert ace to clinch.

The Rebels went ahead 7-3 in the second game, but Mansfield would rally to tie the game at 9-9 on Tiesha McMillon’s tap into an open zone. Mansfield would stick with RA, tying the game at 11 before the Rebels caught fire. A Milioto kill made it 15-11. Back to back scores by LaFountain made it 20-13, and sparked a 7-0 run to end the second game in a RA victory.

The third game was completely dominated by the Rebels, who scored 14 of the first 15 points. Riverside led 14-3 and went on a 8-0 run to effectively seal the deal.

LaFountain led all players with 14 kills. Milioto added 10.

Hebert had seven aces while LaFountain and Milioto each had six. Hebert had 13 of those, while Milioto added 11 digs.

“I thought we played well,” said RA coach Kristy Hebert. “I wasn’t worried about nerves today. We’ve played enough top competition to where we’ve seen anything anyone can bring to us in the postseason.

“I always think the intensity can be higher, but I felt like they came out very serious and played well.”

As for Episcopal, Hebert said that she knows her team is in for a serious test.

“A nine against an eight, there isn’t much difference,” she said. “Win or lose, I know a good team will be going home after that match is over.”