By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

HOUMA — West St. John scored a big district win Thursday night as it went on the road and rallied for a five-game victory over Houma Christian, 21-25, 21-25, 25-14, 25-20, 15-10.

Tahajenik Howard had five kills and three aces and Da’Nae Lumar had four for West St. John. Treshaun Trench had six digs and three aces. Sydnei Young had three blocks. Kaieonne Sorapuru had two blocks, as did Donasia Bell. Brittany August had two aces.

Houma Christian and Central Catholic, the Rams’ two District 5-V rivals, are perennial top contenders who have controlled the district in recent years. Houma Christian has struggled this season, though, sporting a 3-12 record. The Rams are 19th in Division V power points, while Central Catholic is second.

The Rams (9-6, 1-1) trailed two games to none before swinging the momentum their way for good Thursday.

“It was a great win for us,” said West St. John coach Glenda Rush. “After the first two games, the girls started to pick up and read their offense … once they did that, it really turned around.”

Likewise, Rush said that her players began to pick at holes in the Houma Christian defense.

“Tajh (Howard) is a tough, hard spiker. They were reacting to that. I’ve told her that when they do that, just tap it … they draw back to defend those spikes down the middle, and it left an opening in the middle. She recognized it and made some big plays.”

Rush also noted that in terms of her team’s attitude during the first two games, she recognized an improved mental toughness.

“They’ve gotten down on themselves when teams get ahead. This time I didn’t really see that,” said Rush. “I didn’t see it at all in the third, fourth or fifth games.”

On Wednesday, West St. John toppled host John Ehret, 25-13, 25-8 and 25-12.

Lumar had six kills. Howard had four kills. Deja Feist had three kills and four blocks. Sorapuru had two blocks and two aces. August had four aces.

On Tuesday, the Rams fell at Central Catholic in their district opener, 25-19, 25-8 and 25-6.

“Their offense was very good,” said Rush. “We had trouble adjusting on the floor to what they were doing. (Central Catholic’s) execution really was the difference.”

As for her own team, Rush feels like the Rams are working with a primary lineup that fits well together. While the Rams did fall to Central Catholic, West St. John has won seven of its last nine matches.

“They’ve been really complimenting each other’s abilities,” she said. “We’ve been seeing things gel.”