Chalmette rallies to beat Hahnville 5-3, 25-11 in five sets
Junior Kynlee Bertheaud recorded 30 kills as the No. 9 seed survived a two-set comeback by Hahnville to advance to the LHSAA second round.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Kynlee Bertheaud recorded 30 kills in Wednesday night’s Division I first-round volleyball playoff match. The Chalmette junior’s effort helped the No. 9 seed defeat No. 24 Hahnville 25-11, 25-19, 29-31, 21-25, 17-15 in five sets.
The Owls led after taking the first two sets in their home gym. Hahnville responded by winning the next two sets to force a deciding fifth set. Senior Alania Thompson killed the ball twice consecutively to give Hahnville a two-point lead late in the third set. Sophomore Layne Glider served an ace to end the fourth set for the Tigers.
Chalmette recovered in the final set. Aniya Sanders recorded a kill to move the Owls ahead 16-15 after Hahnville had tied the score at 15. The match concluded when a Hahnville attack landed out of bounds.
Bertheaud accounted for 13 of her kills during the first two sets. Senior Charlon Bright added 19 kills for Chalmette. Sophomore setter Brylee Lacoste distributed 43 assists. Senior libero Kinsley McInnis recorded 42 digs, including multiple diving saves to keep rallies alive.
Chalmette coach Mallory Chiappetta praised the squad’s resilience. “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.”
Bertheaud noted the team increased its energy after falling behind. “We got a little down, but we picked it up,” she said. “We picked up our energy, and we finished the (match) off with a win.”
Hahnville coach Mendi LeBoeuf described the effort as a test of endurance. “We didn’t play very well early on, but I thought we did a great job of being resilient,” LeBoeuf said. “We fought hard.” This was LeBoeuf’s final match as head coach. She also serves as athletic director and will retire at the end of the school year.
Hahnville finished 18-20. Senior Maci Hollingsworth led the Tigers with 25 kills. Sophomore Abigail Hotard recorded 11 kills, and sophomore setter Sophia Hotard had 20 assists. Chalmette finished 24-8 and will travel to face No. 8-seeded Ruston at noon Saturday. The winner advances to the LHSAA state tournament at the Cajundome in Lafayette next week. Chalmette last reached the state tournament in 2010.
