By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Riverside has played a slate of tough games to begin its 2009 volleyball season.

But in Rebel coach Kristy Hebert’s estimation, Wednesday’s match marked the toughest draw her team has been faced with to date.

“Lutcher has to be the best team we’ve played so far,” Hebert said.

The Bulldogs showed the form that propelled them to the Division III state semifinals a year ago, toppling Riverside 25-11, 25-13, 25-20 at Lutcher.

“As far as what they do offensively – from the point they serve, it’s in your face,” said Hebert. “At the net, they’re in your face. They’re the most well rounded team we’ve seen.”

Lauren Bourgeois and Keri Zeringue combined to lead Lutcher (10-1) in kills with 10 each. Bourgeois added four blocks and 13 digs. Holly Martin added 20 assists and three aces – the latter tied with Emily Bland for the team lead.

“We began the year a little rocky,” said Bourgeois. “But we’re getting into a groove.”

Kristy Milioto notched six kills to lead Riverside. Shea Lafountain added five. Kaitlyn Millet had three aces and 15 digs, both team highs. Kelsi Roussel tallied six assists.

An early kill by Milioto tied the opening game at 1-1, but Lutcher rolled from there. A kill by Bourgeois and an ace by Hannah Naquin propelled Lutcher on a 15-4 run that made it 16-5 – that included a run of seven consecutive points highlighted by two Bland aces. A Martin ace and a Bourgeois kill would finish the game.

The Rebels (5-6) got off to a better start in game two, but it was fleeting – after back-to-back aces by Jenna Roussel put Riverside ahead 3-0, consecutive kills by Bourgeois led to a run of six straight Bulldogs points. Lafountain would slam down a kill to make it 7-5, but it represented the closest the Rebels would get again. Lutcher led 8-6 when a run of six straight points ran he lead up to eight. LHS would eventually push its lead to 12, the eventual victory margin when a Bourgeois ace clinched the 25-13 win.

The third game followed the same script. Lutcher pushed forward to an 11-4 lead. The Bulldogs’ biggest lead was eight as Bourgeois began to take over – her string of blocks and kills in the matches late stages kept Riverside at bay before a Martin hit finished the game, and match, off.

“There was a little streak of three or four blocks in there,” said Bourgeois. “We wanted to pass well and swing – it’s the best thing we can do. And it added up to a nice little run.”

Said Lafountain: “I think we’re doing pretty well. We just have to regroup. But we had our moments, I think.”

Lutcher coach Ricky LeBlanc believes this Bulldogs team has the tools to go far again this postseason.

“I told our team from the beginning of the season that who knows, this team might not be as good as last year’s,” said LeBlanc. “But I truly believe that this team could be even better.”

REBELS DROP PJP II – Riverside toppled Pope John Paul II on Tuesday in Reserve, winning 25-18, 25-14, 22-25, 25-23.

Lafountain tallied 12 kills, while Millet added nine. Toni Hebert had 30 assists for Riverside, and Shelby Deslatte notched 30 digs.

“We came out really strong in the first two matches,” Hebert said. “We put it all together. In the third game, we came out with an attitude we shouldn’t have and got caught on our heels. In the fourth, they jumped on us.

“But what I liked to see was that despite falling behind, we were actually able to come back and finish them off.”