St. Louis Catholic volleyball returns to state quarterfinals for first time in six years

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - St. Louis Catholic volleyball is headed back to the state quarterfinals for the first time in six years.

Senior middle Madison Williams said the Saints have had the quarterfinals in mind for a long time. “We have been talking about this for a long time. It was already on the schedule. We were ready from Day 1,” Williams said.

The road to the Cajundome was not easy. The Saints needed five sets to beat Rayne in the regionals.

First-year head coach Taylor Thomas said the five-set match was part of how the team prepared. “I have told them all year that being battle-tested is your biggest strength, and I am almost glad that our match went that way,” Thomas said.

Junior libero and captain Ellie Gage said the team recognized the stakes in the match. “It is playoffs, so it is win or go home,” Gage said. “I think we realized that and really turned it on, which I am really glad we did.”

Junior outside Addison Acord led St. Louis with a season-high 22 kills in the win. “I worked really hard for this. I worked in and out of the gym for this,” Acord said. “Honestly, it just feels great, like being able to go out there and lead my team and do all what I can.”

Thomas said Acord does not let anything get in her way. “That kid is a freaking war dog,” Thomas said. “When you look at the definition of just like freak athlete, that’s her.”

Gage had a season-high 41 digs. She said she plays for her teammates. “My mindset is for the team. I really strive to do as much as I can for them, try to get every ball up,” Gage said. “It is really for them.”

Thomas said Gage’s passing and leadership stand out. “Ellie is the most consistent passer I think I have ever either coached or seen as a player. She is also just the most natural-born leader that I have ever met,” Thomas said. “When you picture what your captain should be, that is Ellie Gage.”

Williams is playing volleyball for the first time this season. “I really wasn’t a volleyball person, but I love it now,” Williams said. “I feel myself progressing. I really feel like I am progressing for real.”

Thomas is also in a first year as the Saints’ head coach. “I love them. They literally make my day better every single day,” Thomas said. “They work so hard, and they put up with my craziness.”

The Saints said any team facing them in the Cajundome should be ready for a fight. “I think they should get ready for our grittiness,” Gage said.

“We deserve to be here. We are going to show why we should be here,” Acord said.

Thomas said the team does not quit. “We don’t quit. We don’t quit,” Thomas said. “You can have our backs against a wall, and we will keep throwing punches.”