J. EDMUND BARNES

PHOTO: Destrehan High School volleyball front-line players get ready to attempt to block a shot by the Higgins High School Hurricanes in the recent season-opening contest. The DHS Fighting Wildcats handily defeated the Hurricanes to get the 2001 season off to a rousing start. DESTREHAN – The Fighting Wildcats of Destrehan High School opened the volleyball season in dramatic fashion this week, sending the Higgins Hurricanes home in two games. The Wildcats never trailed and allowed only six points through two games. The main force behind the DHS victory was Atina Porter. Porter, a junior, was decisive both on the defense and offense, helping to rally the Wildcats as they cruised to a relatively painless victory. In the first game, the Wildcats moved to a quick lead and never looked back. Porter was positioned in the front court and spent most of the game earning kills. Her 25-30 inch vertical leap was the key on both offense and defense as Porter easily out-jumped opponents and teammates to put herself where the ball was going to be. Porter’s service game was also good, and she received help from both Jessica Johnson and Rey Santiago. Johnson and Santiago were both instrumental in setting up kills and providing support on the front court while Porter was serving. The Hurricanes were able to make the second game more competitive by staging a brief rally. The Hurricanes were able to first hold the Wildcats to 13 points, then pound the way to within seven points. As they scored points and held off the offensive juggernaut of Destrehan, the Hurricanes players’ confidence grew. But a shift in the Wildcats’ lineup brought Porter back to the front court. With Porter in front Higgins’ rally ended and the game was brought to a quick conclusion. “I think the coaching was really good,” said Porter. “Our organization was really good. I think we’re going to do really well this year.” DHS head coach Calvin Ike added, “I tried to get some other people to have some playing time. That’s why they were able to score like they did. I’m trying to give the girls a chance to play well. “Atina wants to be a one-sport woman,” Ike said when asked if Porter competed in any other sports. “And that is just fine by me.”