The journey to a 2025 LHSAA Volleyball state championship is heating up as teams across Louisiana gathered in the Cajundome for the quarterfinals round.
Nine teams hailing from Lafayette Parish and its surrounding areas made the trip representing the 337 on the biggest stage of high school volleyball. Of those nine, only a few of those teams survived and advanced, earning their spots in the upcoming semifinals round and hoping to punch their tickets to the finals next.
No matter the outcome, athletes left it all out on the court for their respective teams during postseason. Here are some standout players and final scores from some of the quarterfinal matchups.
Final score: Isadore Newman won 3-0
Player of the Game: Grace Alexander, LCA
Summary: The Knights were battling in each set doing all that they could against the Greenies. Leading their efforts was junior outside hitter Grace Alexander, who led all players in the match with 13 kills. She also led LCA in digs, finishing the day with 18. Despite her and the rest of the Knights’ efforts, they dropped all three sets, coming the closest to winning in set three, losing by two. With this loss, the Knights end the season with a 27-13 overall record and as district champs.
Final score: WCA-Opelousas won 3-0
Player of the Game: Laila Gauthier, WCA-Opelousas
Summary: The Crusaders were familiar with the Warriors’ game after facing them in district play. With that experience against them, WCA-Opelousas dominated from start to finish. Leading its offense was Gauthier, who finished with a match-high 11 kills. Sophia Wiltz and libero Isabella Guy were also key in pulling off the sweep. The Crusaders will face the winners of No. 6 Episcopal of Acadiana or No. 3 Central Catholic in the Division V semifinals.
WCA Opelousas coach Keith Leon: I think the big thing is we got our nerves out, and now we can prepare for the next game. So, I think this win for big for them, and theyre ready. This is probably the most balanced team Ive had since Ive been at Westminister.
Final score: Dunham won 3-1
Player of the Game: Valerie Brown, Notre Dame
Summary: It was an uphill battle for the Pios as they took on a loaded No. 1 Dunham squad. Even though they are undersized compared to the handful of 6-footers Dunham sported, the Pios held their own. They took second set of the game 25-24, with outside hitter Brown leading the charge. She finished the match with a team-high 10 kills. In the end, the Tigers were too much to handle, as the Pios fell in the Division IV quarterfinals
Notre Dame coach Emily Booetto: All year long we always had a lot of fight, and our girls play with passion. Winning the second set gave us some confidence knowing that we can hold our own, but it was a great win for Dunham. This was my first year as a head coach at Notre Dame, and I feel so privileged to be a part of these girls’ lives.
Final score: Northlake Christian won 3-1
Player of the Game: Amelie Trappey, Catholic-New Iberia
Summary: The Panthers were the underdogs in their quarterfinals matchup against two-time defending Division IV champs Northlake Christian. They didnt play like it, though, giving the Wolverines a dog fight in all but one set. Leading the Panthers, as usual, was Trappey, who was clutch anytime her team needed to score. She finished the match with a team-high 17 kills, 35 digs and two aces. The four-year varsity starter will be a key returner for the Panthers next season.
Final score: Slidell won 3-0
Player of the Game: Zsofia Pekar, Southside
Summary: The Sharks had their hands full all three sets against a higher-seeded Slidell team. Pekar did all she could leading Southside’s offense and ended the night with a team-high 15 kills along with 11 digs. Pekar’s efforts were no match for the hard-hitting Tiger squad, which would go on to sweep Southside. The Sharks’ loss marks yet another 337-area team whose season is ending in the quarterfinals.
Shannon Belt covers high school sports and the Louisiana Ragin Cajuns for The Daily Advertiser as part of the USA TODAY Network. Follow her high school and Cajuns coverage on Twitter: @ShannonBelt3. Got questions regarding HS/UL athletics? Send them to Shannon Belt at sbelt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Lafayette Daily Advertiser: Local teams compete in 2025 LHSAA volleyball quarterfinals