Large senior class will lead Lady Tigers in 2016

Morgan City may have a large senior class this year, but the squad will feature plenty of youth on the court, too.
Morgan City coach Christy Theriot has eight seniors, no juniors, seven sophomores and five freshmen this year.
Losses to graduation included three starters: second-team All-District 8-III middle hitter Alex Thompson and senior outside hitters Cecily Feliciano and Dwanna LeBeau.
Morgan City will be looking to return to the playoffs after missing the postseason a year ago for the first time since 2007. Morgan City finished the 2015 season with an 11-22 mark.
This year’s seniors will not only be looked on to provide leadership, but they also will provide the foundation of the team’s defense, too.
Theriot said last week that her defense has looked promising.
“Defense has been coming around,” she said. “I’ve been impressed.”
Morgan City’s back row will feature senior libero Katelyn Gautreaux, while senior Brandi Albarado is playing middle back. Seniors Emily Boudreaux and Hannah Gros are fighting for the team’s right back position. Sophomore Hallie Blanchard also may see time in the back row, Theriot said
Theriot said her team has been working on defense and passing.
“We got to do everything right to allow our offense to run,” she said.
Up front, the Tigers will have plenty of youth mixed in with some senior players.
Theriot said her team has been working with their outside hitters to take pressure off the middle hitters.
On the outside, Theriot is looking at seniors Paige Loftin, Twanna LeBeau and Faith Crappell, and sophomores Nia Lightfoot and McKenzie Smith as options.
“It’s just going to be a matter of who is more consistent, who can put the ball away more,” Theriot said.
In the middle, the Lady Tigers will feature Sh’Diamond Holly.
“She’s probably the most dominant,” Theriot said. “She can flat out jump.”
Sophomore Karmen Peterson is working in the other middle hitter spot for Morgan City, while Lightfoot is also another possibility.
Senior Abby Reynaud will be the team’s setter.
“We just got to get her a little more consistent where she puts the ball,” Theriot said of the senior.
While her team will be young, Theriot said, “I think they’re going to be capable of a lot. They just have to work together.”
Morgan City’s nondistrict schedule includes plenty of large schools: at home against Hahnville (Aug. 30), Destrehan (Oct. 17) and Thibodaux (Oct. 25) and on the road against Central Lafourche (Oct. 15), Sam Houston (Oct. 21) and Sulphur (Oct. 22). The Lady Tigers also will travel to face Houma Christian, a Division V quarterfinalist a year ago, on Oct. 15; and will host Ascension Catholic, a Division V semifinalist in 2015, on Sept. 26.
In addition to hosting its own tournament Sept. 15 and 17, Morgan City will participate in Assumption’s tournament Sept. 1 and 3; Riverside’s tournament, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1; and Episcopal’s Tournament on Oct. 29.
Morgan City’s district will feature Berwick, Franklin, Vandebilt Catholic and E.D. White. Vandebilt Catholic was a Division III quarterfinalist a year ago, while E.D. White was a Division III semifinalist in 2015.
“I’ve always said this for years: It all depends upon how we play,” Theriot said of her schedule. “If we play strong, we’ll be competitive with anybody.”
Morgan City will host its annual jamboree Thursday when it faces Central Catholic in junior varsity (4:30 p.m.) and varsity (5 p.m.), Patterson in junior varsity (5:30 p.m.) and varsity (6 p.m.) and Highland Baptist in junior varsity (7:30 p.m.) and varsity (8 p.m.).