Team chemistry helps St. Scholastica volleyball roll past Covington 3-0

For the St. Scholastica volleyball players, the expectation level for the 2014 season is very high. And, why not? With one of the best setters in the state in Emma Estapa and a veteran lineup, a glimpse into what might be this year was on display in St. Scholasticas 25-14, 25-14, 25-12victory at home over Covington.

Gabby Chaix paced the Dove offense with 16 kills while Estapa guided the team with 27 assists.

Weve been working all summer long on developing team chemistry and it showed early in the match as things went along, Chaix said. Our goals have been set very high, and we know its going to be a long season. Thats why it is very important to get off to a good start.

For Covington, Douglisha Hamilton, Veronica Husak and Jordan Bordes contributed to the offense with a pair of kills each while Courtni Lemons was the defensive standout with 10 digs.

From the start, the Doves seemed to be in top form, racing out to a 12-2 lead in game one behind kills from three different players, including Chaix, Jessica Lucio, and Allison Weimer. The Lions didnt help themselves with 13 hitting errors. It was too big of a deficit to overcome, despite taking six of the last seven points.

After dropping the first game, Covington quickly took charge in the second game, winning seven of the first eight points, and only committing one error.

Covington's Douglisha Hamilton (3) and Jordan Bordes key a second game surge. (Pat Mashburn, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)

St. Scholastica is more well-rounded than us at this point in the season, Covington coach Debbie Adams said. It doesnt mean that were not going to get there. It just means were not ready yet. Every day in practice, we see flashes of how good this team can be, and I believe we will get there.

The experience factor took over as the Doves went on a 14-3 run to regain the lead and build an almost insurmountable margin.

One of the things weve been working on since we first got together is playing well together and trusting each other, Chaix said. You can have all the skill in the world, but if the team doesnt like each other, youre not going to have success.

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Team chemistry helps St. Scholastica volleyball roll past Covington 3-0