Tara earns volleyball playoff win

The Tara High School volleyball team had already made history by making it into the playoffs for the first time since 1999, but just getting there was not enough for coach Barry Jackson’s squad.

The Lady Trojans eliminated Leesville, 3-1 (25-21, 22-25, 25-21, 25-20), Thursday night to advance to the regional round of the Division II playoffs.

“It was just an awesome win for us,” Jackson said. “I’m really proud of the girls. It’s been a long time since we have even been to the playoffs, so this is a really big accomplishment.”

Tara leaders included Rikeia Collins (21 kills, 7 digs, 1 ace), Adrien Northern (22 kills, 6 kills, 2 blocks) and Montariel Minor (35 assists, kill, 6 digs).

The Lady Trojans stay on the road to take on top-ranked St. Thomas More at 5 p.m. Monday.

In other Division II action, 11th-ranked St. Michael the Archangel topped Pearl River, 3-0 (25-18, 25-15, 25-18).

“The best thing for us is that we went in and played consistent,” St. Michael Coach Robert Smith said. “We didn’t get to far out in front and get lazy or anything. That’s what it is all about in the playoffs, playing your best.”

Alexis Gaudet did a little bit of everything for the Lady Warriors with 4 kills, 24 assists, 2 aces, 5 digs and a block. Christy Slay (7 kills, 1 assist, 2 digs) and Kasey Fraser (7 kills, 2 blocks) had solid games as well. Christina Cutrura was the leader for Pearl River with 10 digs and 6 kills.

St. Michael travels to sixth-seed Assumption for the regional round at 6 p.m. Monday.

Dutchtown, the No. 18 seed, pulled off the minor upset over 15th-seed Woodlawn, winning 3-0 (25-14, 25-20, 25-13) to set up a 6:30 p.m. Monday showdown against second-ranked St. Amant.

In Division III, 10th-seeded Brusly swept 23rd-seed Loyola Prep., 25-9, 25-10, 25-7.

Brusly now hits the road to take on Rayne at 5 p.m. Monday.

In Division V play, 19th-seeded Christian Life Academy advanced with a 3-1 (25-14, 14-25, 25-20, 25-17) upset victory over 14th-ranked Ecole Classique while White Castle defeated Patrick Taylor, 3-1 (25-15, 23-25, 25-19, 25-18), as well.

Next up for CLA is third-seeded Central Catholic. That match is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday.

The Lady Bulldogs travel to take on the top-seed, Episcopal School of Acadiana on Monday.