Volleyball Report: Riverside overcoming impact of storm, winning on court

It has been a tough time for many communities in south Louisiana following Hurricane Ida.

That is certainly true of Reserve, which was hard hit and will experience the residuals of the storm for many months, even years to come.

Riverside Academy is a huge part of the Reserve community.

The Rebel football program has returned to the field.

The Rebel volleyball program did as well, started slowly and have found their footing.

On Monday, Riverside won at home over St. Thomas Aquinas 25-10, 25-17, 25-13.

The Rebels were very proficient, serving 21 aces, including seven by junior Allie Rivere and four by junior Camryn Loving.

Senior Alysa Epperly did an excellent job with six kills and five digs while freshman Chloe St. Pierre added five kills.

It was the third straight victory for the Rebels.

“I’m very proud of our team,” Riverside coach Brandi Melancon said. “We went 3-1 in a tournament over the weekend and we rode the momentum Monday. We served extremely aggressively and effectively. STA is historically a good program. We have a young freshman setter who did a good job spreading the ball around. Lots of players had kills.”

Both teams are back in action today.

Riverside (4-4) opens District hosts St. Martin’s Episcopal at 5:30 p.m. The Falcons (1-2) will host Hammond at 5:30 p.m.

“I’m proud of our team,” Melancon said. “We started a little rough. Our school was affected by the storm in significant fashion. We rallied together and good things are happening for us now.”

In Metairie, Country Day fought off E.D. White Catholic 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8 in a five-set thriller.

Nia Washington led the way for the Cajuns with 29 kills. Maggie Schneider had 26 assists while Emma Launey added 24 assists. Ellie Schneider had 4.5 blocks and Olivia Prout finished with four aces.

Country Day (4-2) will next host Haynes Academy Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. while the Cardinals (8-6) saw their four-match win streak end and will host rival Vandebilt Catholic Wednesday at 6 p.m.

Area Prep Volleyball Report for Tuesday, Sept. 28
Abramson Sci Academy over New Orleans Science & Math 25-21, 21-25, 25-22, 25-21
Archbishop Chapelle over Haynes Academy 28-26, 25-19, 25-12
Country Day over E.D. White Catholic 22-25, 25-20, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8
Crescent City Christian over McMain 25-16, 25-7, 25-8
Fontainebleau over Ponchatoula 25-21, 25-15, 25-15
Franklinton over Bogalusa 25-19, 26-24, 25-9
Kenner Discovery over Sarah Reed 25-21, 25-13, 25-5
Loranger over Pine 22-25, 27-25, 25-12, 25-8
Northshore over Hammond 25-12, 25-14, 23-25, 25-8
Riverside Academy over St. Thomas Aquinas 25-10, 25-17, 25-13