Catholic High’s quest for a championship ended in disappointment on November 14, 2025, as the Lady Panthers succumbed to Northlake Christian in the LHSAA Division IV volleyball quarterfinals. The match, held at the Cajundome, showcased a fierce contest but concluded with Northlake Christian prevailing in four sets, securing their place in the semifinal round.
The Lady Panthers, seeded No. 11, demonstrated resilience throughout the match, pushing for extended rallies and fiercely contesting points. Junior standout Amelie Trappey was a driving force for Catholic, delivering an impressive performance with 17 kills, two aces, and a team-high 35 digs. Her contributions highlighted her role as a key player, as noted by head coach Gary Westcott. “Amelie’s been our go-to since the eighth grade,” he said. “She’s definitely our go-to player, but again, it’s not a one-man team. We needed some of our other players to step up.”
Catholic High showcased moments of brilliance, particularly with setter/hitter Mackenzie Batiste, who recorded nine kills and 21 assists. Defensive specialist Addisyn Derouen further solidified the team’s efforts with 19 digs, while Niyah Ferdinand and Caroline Meyer each made two blocks. Additionally, Renee Frederick contributed with 18 assists and an ace. Despite their commendable performance, Northlake Christian’s tactical superiority proved decisive, with their outside hitters exploiting gaps in the defense and maintaining strong ball control throughout.
“I give a lot of credit to Northlake Christian; they played extremely well,” Westcott acknowledged after the match. “For the most part, we were in it, except for one set, but it just wasn’t our night.”
The defeat marked a poignant moment for the Lady Panthers, particularly for senior Gracie Neck, the team’s lone upperclassman. Her leadership was evident, and Westcott praised her effort, stating, “She played extremely hard. She’s one of the smartest kids on the team; she’s probably going to be the valedictorian.”
Looking ahead, Westcott emphasized that the conclusion of the 2025 season does not signify the end of his coaching career. “I’m not quitting,” he declared with a smile. “I’m continuing to coach. We’ll be coming back and hopefully better than ever.”
The team’s performance this season, which included victories over the No. 5, No. 10, and No. 16 seeds in Division IV, bodes well for the future. With nearly all players returning for the next season, Catholic High is poised to build on their experiences from a challenging schedule. “I scheduled probably the toughest schedule you could look at,” Westcott reflected. “We lost to a lot of good teams, but we beat a lot of good teams. I was hoping that experience would carry over here, and I think it did. Again, all credit to Northlake Christian; they’re defending champions for a reason. But I’m proud of our girls.”
As the season wraps up, the Lady Panthers are left with the motivation to return stronger and with renewed ambitions for the upcoming year.
