Catholic High’s pursuit of a state volleyball title ended on November 14, 2025, as the Lady Panthers lost to Northlake Christian in the LHSAA Division IV quarterfinals. The match, held at the Cajundome in Lafayette, saw Catholic fall in four sets against the two-time defending champions, who showcased remarkable efficiency and balance throughout the contest.
Despite their defeat, Catholic High (21-16), the No. 11 seed, displayed commendable resilience. They engaged in drawn-out rallies and contested nearly every point, largely due to a standout performance from junior hitter Amelie Trappey. Trappey contributed significantly with 17 kills, two aces, and a team-high 35 digs. Head coach Gary Westcott praised her contribution, noting her pivotal role since joining the varsity team as an eighth grader. “Amelie’s been our go-to since the eighth grade,” Westcott stated. “We needed some of our other players to step up.”
The Lady Panthers demonstrated moments of brilliance against one of the toughest opponents in their division. Setter/hitter Mackenzie Batiste delivered a solid performance with nine kills and 21 assists. Defensive specialist Addisyn Derouen was instrumental in prolonging plays, tallying 19 digs. At the net, Niyah Ferdinand and Caroline Meyer each recorded two blocks, while Renee Frederick provided 18 assists and an ace.
Northlake Christian’s depth and strategic play proved daunting. Their outside hitters consistently exploited gaps in Catholic’s defense, and their ball control kept them aggressive during transitions. Coach Westcott acknowledged the Wolverines’ performance, stating, “I give a lot of credit to Northlake Christian; they played extremely well. For the most part, we were in it, except for one set, but it just wasn’t our night.”
This match also marked the end of the season for senior Gracie Neck, Catholic’s only upperclassman. Her leadership and poise have been vital to the team’s identity throughout the year. “She played extremely hard,” Westcott commented. “She’s one of the smartest kids on the team; she’s probably going to be the valedictorian.”
Westcott reaffirmed his commitment to the program despite the recent speculation about his future. “I’m not quitting,” he emphasized with a smile. “I’m continuing to coach. We’ll be coming back and hopefully better than ever.” The Lady Panthers’ overall performance this season, which included victories against the No. 5, No. 10, and No. 16 seeds in Division IV, has set a strong foundation for the future.
With nearly the entire roster expected to return, Catholic High is poised to build on this season’s experience as they aim for championship aspirations in 2026. “I scheduled probably the toughest schedule you could look at,” Westcott said. “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.”
