Setters rule

When it comes to volleyball, hitters usually get all the glory due to the fact that they constantly crush the ball down towards the opposition with big, impressive swings.

Liberos usually get some glory because they are throwing themselves on the floor, diving into the sidelines are something along those lines to prevent the ball from hitting the floor.

But what about setters?

If the set is perfect, the hitter crushes the ball. If the setter dinks the ball over the net, the blame usually falls on the defense for not anticipating. If the set is less than perfect, then the hitter makes the adjustment for the kill.

About the only time you notice a setter is when she makes a mistake in setting the ball and then she usually incurs the wrath of both the coach and the hitter.

But when everything works well, the setter is the most important part of the team as she is the quarterback and runs the offense.

In the Teche Area this season, two setters really stood out in the prep volleyball ranks as they had significantly more good plays than bad plays and as a result, their teams posted good seasons and made the playoffs.

Catholic High senior Madeline Lipari, who converted from hitter to setter, was a big reason that the Lady Panthers went to the second round of the Division IV playoffs. 

“She is an outstanding hitter,” said CHS coach Gary Westcott. “But she is such a valuable setter that I needed her all the way around.”

ESA senior Brittan Falterman not only ran the Lady Falcons’ offense, but had to learn how to set up for five different hitters. She did such a good job that ESA went back to the LHSAA State Tournament before falling in the quarterfinals.

“Britt is just a steady on the court leader,” said ESA coach Ursula Quoyeser. “She has the intangibles, the fire and a spirit on the court that so many people notice.

“Setting for five different people is not an easy thing to do, but she did it and the results speak for themselves.”

For their efforts in helping lead Catholic High and ESA this past volleyball season, Falterman and Lipari are named Co-Most Valuable Players on the 2017 Daily Iberian Best of the Teche Volleyball Team.

The Best of the Teche Volleyball Team honors the best volleyball players in the area as selected by the sports staff of The Daily Iberian. A person may only be considered for the team is she is nominated by the high school volleyball coaches in the area.

Joining Falterman and Lipari on the team this year are Falterman’s ESA teammates Nanine Cowan, Mary-Catherine Louis and Victoria Kinsland as well as Lipari’s Catholic High teammate Madison Bienvenu and St. Martinville Senior High players Tori Louis and Kalyn Cormier.

For his efforts in taking over the Catholic High volleyball program and leading it to a second place finish in district and a second round appearance in the playoffs, Westcott has been selected as Coach of the Year.

Cowan and Louis were two of the five hitters that Falterman set the ball up for.

“Nanine had a rougher season than in the past due to her shoulder issues but she pulled us out of the fire during big games,” said Quoyeser. “MC really came on late in the year with some big hits that helped put us into the state tournament.”

Kinsland was the libero who was all over the floor making near impossible saves for the Lady Falcons.

“Victoria was feisty on the court and a very skilled defensive player,” said Quoyeser. “Her quickness is something you can’t team and how she’s able to keep the ball alive for the team is pretty awesome.

Bienvenu was a force in the middle for CHS.

“She affected games in so many ways with her hitting and her defense,” said Westcott. “She was a big part of our success.”

Cormier and Louis were big factors for the Lady Tigers.

“Kalyn is a senior who plays all six positions,” said SMSH coach Lucinda Darby. “She was a key factor in our offense. She compiled 250 points for the team on her jump serve.

“Tori led the team in kills and had 14 blocks and 84 digs for us.”

The Second Team of the Best of the Teche Volleyball Team is an impressive group as well.

Freshman Abigail Rochotfen was pulled up from the JV team for CHS because she was ready to play at the varsity level; NISH junior Trah’Nae St. Julien ended up with 239 kills, 74 aces and 26 blocks for the Lady Jackets; Westgate senior Madelyn Domingue was a second team All-District selection for the Lady Tigers; Highland Baptist’s Allison Sprague ended up with 287 assists, 67 kills and 33 aces for the Lady Bears; Delcambre’s Claire Olivier was a first team All-District selection for the Lady Panthers; ESA’s Hailie Williams and sister Kailie Williams combined for more than 500 kills for the Lady Falcons while I’nyah Kately and Markell Potier were key parts to St. Martinville Senior High’s run to the postseason.

Honorable Mention selections to the Best of the Teche team were Franklin’s Christiana Blanks; Highland Baptist’s Jayda Miguez, Jasey Roy, Heather Peters and Allison Elrod; Catholic High’s Kenzie Hoffpauir and Caroline LeLeux; Westgate’s Jolie Gary, Ja’Nya Allen, Fallon Joseph and Kamryn Fontenot; New Iberia’s Mckenzie Meyers and Merasia Boudreaux and West St. Mary’s Bailey Clavelle, Raelyn Dupre, Briana Frank and JaKoia Tillman.