Nov. 18
November 18, 2008
Catherine "Cat" Jacobs
November 20, 2008
As the Lady Cardinals closed in on the volleyball state championship, anxiety set in.
The Lady Cardinals were ahead two games to one and led the fourth game 24-15.
The fans and players held one finger in the air, as the Lady Cardinals needed just one more point. The players on the bench shook their legs waiting for the moment to pass. Head coach Mary Cavell sat holding her clipboard until it was over.
But they’ve been too close before. They saw a lead slip away in the third game, and Sacred Heart charge back to win 25-23, so the team briefly huddled, keeping their composure.
When Sacred Heart’s return sailed deep, the anxiously waiting Lady Cardinals wasted no time rushing the court, piling on top of each other.
After shaking hands with their worthy opponents, the Lady Cardinals embraced each other, shed tears and waited for the words that they’ve waited a long time to hear.
“And now your State Farm LHSAA Division III Volleyball State Champions, the E.D. White Cardinals.”
All the while Cardinal fans chanted “E.D. White” and “Thank you Mary.”
After six straight trips to the state championship and seven overall trips to the title game, the Lady Cardinals left the Ponchartrain Center this weekend as state champions for the first time.
Even when the storms ravaged the area and the Lady Cardinals were forced to play home games in four different venues, they held together as a team.
It took Cavell 17 years, but she finally received the game ball given to the winning coach.
“I was telling the girls before the match ‘This is seventh heaven’ because this is our seventh year in the title game,” a very emotional Cavell said. “To be able to finally win feels wonderful. It’s a dream.”
Senior Kathryn Stock, who led the team with 21 kills, walked away with the MVP award. It was Stock’s fifth trip to the state title game, and the moment still hasn’t set in yet.
“It feels surreal,” she said “It’s something we’ve all worked so hard for. We wanted ITmore tonight.”
It was apparent right from the start that the Lady Cardinals were hungry. They jumped out to an early lead which was never relinquished to take the first game 25-17.
The Lady Cardinals looked even more impressive in the second game, winning 25-11.
Stock had five aces in the first two games combined to put the Lady Cardinals in position for the title. She finished with nine on the night and also led the team in blocks (15).
Other team leaders included junior Jessica Politz with 36 assists and senior Caroline Becnel with 33 digs.
Senior Hailley Silverii said it was important for the team to keep their composure after losing a lead in the third game.
“We didn’t feel any nervousness on the court from anyone. We were all still confident,” she said. “I think we knew that was our last chance. They gave it everything they had. We were expecting and we gave everything we had.”
Cavell credited a tougher schedule in the regular season to help get the Lady Cardinals to where they are.
“That’s why we play the Assumptions and Dominicans in the regular season because it helps us prepare,” she said. “Playing that tougher competition gives us the experience we need.”
Overall, while the current group of Cardinals gets the glory, the win was so much more.
“We wanted it for our program,” Cavell boasted. “I’m seeing all of the wonderful people who have come through this program, this is for them. We’re a wonderful family, and we’re happy to be able to win it for them. I’m so proud of this team.”
And they don’t plan on making this a one-year wonder. If the Cardinals have their way, they look to start a state championship tradition in Thibodaux.
“Winning this makes us want it even more next year,” Politz said. “Hopefully this starts a trend for us.”
Senior Kathryn Stock grabs hold of the state championship trophy from teammate Hailley Silverii Saturday. After seven tries, the Lady Cardinals won their first ever state title 3-1 over the Academy of Sacred Heart. * Photo by KYLE CARRIER
