Nine Hahnville and Destrehan volleyball players were recognized for their strong play this season when they were named to their respective All-District teams, including five first team selections.
While the longtime local rivals have traditionally competed within the same district, this season saw a curveball in that regard as the Lady Tigers and Ladycats fell in separate districts, Hahnville remaining in District 6-I and Destrehan moving to District 7-I.
Hahnville saw three players named to the District 6-I first team, including seniors Bailey Roux, Chelsea Plaisance and Brianna Plaisance.
The Tigers also saw a pair of second team selections, including seniors Reagan Young and Kristen Crutti.
Destrehan sophomore Ryley Boyne and junior Addison Benefield earned spots on the first team for District 7-I.
Senior Mallory Laumann and junior Alyssa Vicknair each earned honors as second team selections.
The Ladycats went 20-20 this season and qualified for the Division I playoffs as the No. 26 seed. DHS ultimately bowed out to East Ascension in round one.
Boyne and Benefield provided Destrehan with a major strength at the net, their height, hitting and blocking ability proving a matchup problem for many teams.
For Boyne, it marks a relatively rare appearance for a sophomore player on an All-District first team.
“Ryley is just a natural volleyball player,” said Destrehan head coach Edward Borgstede. “It’s the only sport she plays and she dedicated herself to it year round. She hasn’t come close to scratching the surface of how good she can be. She wants to play in college, as does Addison. The sky is really the limit for her.”
Meanwhile, for Benefield, it represented the hard work she put in to come back after an injury-marred sophomore season that saw her sidelined for much of the year.
“Benefield has so much room for growth, too, as a player,” Borgstede said. “She came back this year after missing about two thirds of last season with injuries to both ankles. She really dedicated herself, and when she was cleared she got in really good shape, 100 times better. She made a big impact even when she’d play back row and serve, she was second on our team in aces. She’s a great student of the game who asks a lot of questions.”
The Lady Tigers finished 19-19 and reached the Division I playoffs as the No. 23 seed. Hahnville began to peak late in the season and gave a spirited effort at No. 10 seed — and 6-1 district champion – H.L. Bourgeois before falling in five sets.
Hahnville’s first team trio each served as a three-year starter, with the Plaisance sisters strong at the net as hitters and Roux knowing how to get them the ball in their favorite spots as the team’s setter.
“They’ve really been the core of our team the past three years,” said Hahnville head coach Mendi LeBoeuf. “Brianna and Chelsea both played outside hitter and did a great job at the net and on serve receive. They’ve been staples of our offense. Bailey, we’ve had one setter for three years and it’s been her. They’ve each been so instrumental in our success.”
LeBoeuf said their experience together was absolutely a boon in tight games. The three helped spur Hahnville to first round playoff victories in two of the past three seasons.
“When you play together like they did for three years, it’s absolutely a help to everything you do,” LeBoeuf said. “They absolutely helped our program to succeed at a high level, and they’ll definitely be missed.”
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