by RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

It was a mixed bag of goods for West St. John this past week. A victory on Monday at home over White Castle put the Rams in excellent district position with a 4-2 record.

But after a loss Wednesday at Ascension Catholic, West St. John will have to rebound in its district finale at North Iberville if it is to remain over .500 in District 3-V play.

The Rams had won three out of four matches heading into the White Castle contest. The Rams remained hot, winning in three games, 25-14, 25-23, and 25-14. The win meant a sweep in the season series for West St. John over White Castle.

Tranell Mitchell had 15 kills, 18 digs, six blocks, and four aces for the Rams (10-11, 4-3). Destani Comminie had 18 kills, 15 digs, seven blocks and five assists. Kyla Morris tallied 25 digs, seven kills and two aces, while Malana Farnell notched 20 assists.

The Rams controlled much of the first and third game, but the second game saw the Bulldogs score the first five points of the contest.

West St. John Coach Glenda Rush called a time out for her girls to regroup.

&#8220We had to adjust to what they were doing,” Rush said. &#8220We wanted Tranell, Kyla and Destani to go up strong, but dink the ball over their blockers. It got us back on track.”

The strategy paid off. The Bulldogs would not go away quietly, and the game went back and forth. But in the end, West St. John was able to close the game out and take control of the match.

&#8220I have no complaints after this one,” Rush said. &#8220Offensively and defensively, we were sound. We served well.”

But as was the case earlier this season, last year’s Class 1A state runner-up Ascension Catholic proved to be too strong for the Ram attack, beating them for the second time this season, 25-17, 25-17, and 25-21.

Comminie had seven blocks and 15 digs. Mitchell notched six kills and 16 digs, along with four blocks. Talor Lewis had 13 digs and Krystie Barnes had six kills and three assists.

Rush and the Rams had strategized to negate some of Ascension Catholic’s advantages from the previous game. But, as Rush said, the opposition adjusted early on.

&#8220The girls played very well. I’m proud of them, but I think they’re also proud of themselves for playing as a team throughout against a tough school like this one.”

She also made note of the impressive play of Barnes, who stepped up in a big matchup.

&#8220She played an awesome game for us,” Rush said. &#8220She played the net tough and really came through for us.”