Chalmette advances after Bertheaud’s 30-kill performance
The No. 9 seed overcame a two-set deficit against No. 24 Hahnville in a five-set Division I playoff match on Wednesday.
By Arjun Weber ·
Chalmette volleyball players advanced to the second round of Division I playoffs after defeating Hahnville in five sets on Wednesday. The No. 9 seed hosted the No. 24 Tigers in their home gym, where they dropped the first two sets before closing out the match. Chalmette finished the contest with a 25-11, 25-19, 29-31, 21-25, 17-15 win.
Junior outside hitter Kynlee Bertheaud recorded a match-high 30 kills for Chalmette. She delivered 13 of those kills in the first two sets when the Owls led. In the decisive fifth set, Bertheaud added five more kills. The match ended when a final Hahnville attack landed out of bounds.
Hahnville rallied from its early deficit. Senior Alania Thompson hit back-to-back kills in the third set to give the Tigers a two-point lead after Chalmette held a one-point advantage. Sophomore Layne Glider served an ace to close the fourth set. In the fifth set, the teams tied the score at 15 before Chalmette junior Aniya Sanders hit a kill to take a 16-15 lead.
Chalmette coach Mallory Chiappetta said her team played for each other and pushed forward on every point. "They played like a team, and they played for each other out there," Chiappetta said. "I’m just super proud of them for hanging on and pushing forward every single point."
Other Chalmette contributors included sophomore setter Brylee Lacoste, who recorded a match-high 43 assists. Senior libero Kinsley McInnis finished with 42 digs. Senior Charlon Bright added 19 kills to the Owls' offensive total. Bertheaud noted that her team picked up its energy after struggling early in the match.
For Hahnville, senior outside hitter Maci Hollingsworth led the attack with 25 kills. Sophomore Abigail Hotard added 11 kills, and sophomore setter Sophia Hotard recorded 20 assists. Hahnville coach Mendi LeBoeuf called it her last match in that role. She also serves as the school's athletic director and plans to retire at the end of the school year. LeBoeuf said her team fought hard despite poor early play.
Chalmette will travel to face No. 8 seed Ruston in the second round. That match is scheduled for noon on Saturday. The winner will advance to the LHSAA state tournament at the Cajundome in Lafayette. Chalmette last reached that tournament in 2010.
