The volleyball regular season can be quite the grind.
But this week, the opportunity to compete in the state volleyball tournament makes it all worthwhile for several teams.
Several coaches describe this as “the best time of the year.”
“This time of year is always exciting,” Westminster Christian coach Keith Leon said. “This is like the best time of the year. This time of year, the state volleyball tournament, is what we look forward to from the beginning to the end.”
Episcopal School of Acadiana coach Sara Robichaux called the final week of the season “bittersweet.”
“It’s an exciting time, but I mean, it’s also kind of bittersweet,” Robichaux said. “We really love this group of girls, and especially the senior class. Since the beginning of the year, we have all said we’re going to be crying sad tears no matter if we win a title or not because this group is really special.”
The Crusaders and Falcons are among six Acadiana-area teams — including Iota, Catholic High of New Iberia, Lafayette Christian and Northside Christian — set to compete in the state volleyball tournament across divisions III, IV and V. The tournament gets underway at 9 a.m. Thursday at the Cajundome.
“This is our seventh year in a row making it to the state tournament, and we don’t take it for granted,” Panthers coach Gary Westcott said. “You know, it’s a lot of work, a lot of luck and a lot of praying for no injuries. It’s an honor to go, and we’re looking forward to it.”
No. 3-seeded Iota will face No. 6-seeded Lutcher at 3 p.m. Thursday on Court 4.
In Division V, the No. 1-seeded Crusaders will face No. 8-seeded First Baptist Christian at 11 a.m. on Court 4, while the No. 2-seeded Falcons will take on No. 10-seeded Northside Christian at 9 a.m. on Court 1.
The Falcons are seeking to reach the state finals for the first time since 2021 when they were the state runner-up.
“I feel like we flew under the radar this year for the most part, which is really kind of nice,” Robichaux said. “We really are starting to peak at the right time.”
The Crusaders last reached the title game in 2024, but Leon believes this could be the year they get over the hump.
“It feels different,” Leon said. “These kids have been trusting the process since they were freshmen. We’re playing at a high level, and it feels like this could be the year if we stay focused.”
In Division IV, the No. 3-seeded Panthers will face No. 11 John Curtis at 11 a.m. on Court 1.
“We’ve been playing well all year,” Westcott said. “I think it’s starting to click, and we’ve really come together as a team. I’m feeling good about our chances, even though we got some really tough competition coming up.”
The No. 5-seeded Knights take on defending state champions Newman, who are the No. 4 seed, at 11 a.m. on Court 2.
Bryan Barrett, who will step away as the Knights head coach after this season, finds himself more excited than normal.
“I don’t know if it’s because I got more skin in the game this year, because my daughter’s a senior, but I’m more excited about this playoff for some reason than I have been in a while,” Barrett said. “I always get excited for the playoffs. That’s my time of the year, but for some reason, I just feel like there’s a little bit more skin in the game for me this year.”
In Division III, No. 3-seeded Iota will face No. 6-seeded Lutcher at 3 p.m. Thursday on Court 4.
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