Lady Patriots sweep Patterson, advance to face Lutcher

MAURICE — The North Vermilion Lady Patriots advanced to the regional round of the Division III volleyball playoffs for the second straight year after defeating Patterson.
The trio of Lunden Graham, Claire Meyers and Lanie Breaux propelled the Patriots to victory.
North Vermilion earned a 3-0 victory of the Jills by scores of 25-22, 25-14, 25-23 on Thursday.
“It takes a whole team,” North Vermilion coach Celie LeBlanc said. “I was really proud of the way we moved around the court quicker than we have all season.”
Graham and Meyers led the team with seven kills each, with Breaux earning six kills and 10 digs. Graham led the team with 10 assists.
Patterson led the majority of the first-and-third sets, but due to unforced errors, they were unable to finish and win the sets.
“My team played their hearts out just like they (North Vermilion) did,” said Patterson head coach Chasity Fontenot. “Our mental game killed us. When we get down, we’re done.”
In the first set tied at 5, North Vermilion went on a 9-1 run to take the lead at 14-6. The Jills responded with a run of their own to cut the gap, but fell short.
North Vermilion came out in the second set with adjustments on how to attack Patterson’s blockers, according to LeBlanc.
“We talked about moving our sets around,” she said. “We wanted to work them more, and hopefully they would tire out. That gave us the opportunity to see holes.”
In the third set, the Jills were down 8-3 to begin the set but fought back to tie the set at 10.
North Vermilion extended their lead to 24-18, and Patterson went on a run, but a ball hit squarely on the back line sent the Jills home for the season.
“Our fans play an important part in our victories,” Graham said. “They’re fantastic. Before the game all of the seniors met, and we decided we didn’t want this to be our last game.”
“We’ve been preparing for Lutcher,” said Breaux. “We know they’re a good team, but I think we’re ready.”
North Vermilion travels to play Lutcher in the regional round Monday at 6 p.m.