Parish volleyball stars make All-Metro teams

It was another extremely successful season for Ascension volleyball as five of the parish's six schools made the playoffs. It's no surprise that plenty of the area's athletes made the Baton Rouge All-Metro teams.

In Division I, St. Amant made the biggest splash as they earned a No. 5 seeding for the playoffs and reached the state quarterfinals before losing to Barbe.

Dutchtown was a No. 7 seed and reached the second round before losing to Comeaux. Eighth-seeded East Ascension also reached the regional round--where they were eliminated by Northshore.

In Division V, Ascension Christian made the postseason, but they were eliminated in the opening round by Central Catholic.

On the other hand, Ascension Catholic earned a No. 4 seeding and made a memorable run to the state semifinals. They were eliminated by eventual state champion McGehee.

Overall, 10 Ascension players made the Baton Rouge area's All-Metro teams.

Divisions I and II

First Team:

Maggie Duplechein (St. Amant - 240 kills, 167 digs, 226 assists), Jordan Stephens (Central), Kristen Thompson (Dutchtown - 466 kills, 118 digs), Emily Venable (East Ascension - 708 assists, 316 digs, 87 aces), Leanne Sorrel (Zachary), Jodi Edo (Woodlawn), Melanie Miller (St. Joseph's Academy), Sameera Mohamed (Baton Rouge High), Kourtney Gremillion (St. Amant - 565 assists, 312 kills, 277 digs), Dreona Clayton (Zachary), Kaitlyn Cooke (Central)

Honorable Mention:

Jessie Watts (East Ascension), Alex Toney (St. Joseph's Academy), Ana Williams (Zachary), Fran Okpalobi (St. Joseph's Academy), Taylor Tidwell (St. Amant), Brianne Babin (St. Amant), Kathryn Mancuso (Central)

Outstanding Player: Elise Gasperecz (St. Joseph's Academy)

Divisions III and below

First Team:

Wesley Ann Foreman (Parkview Baptist), Sarah Elliot (CHSPC), Amber Igiede (St. Michael), Destiny Ephrom (University), Payton Passantino (St. John), Caitlyn Williams (Brusly), Michayla Spano (Ascension Catholic - 927 assists, 236 digs), Masyn Cameron (Episcopal), Amari Bellard (St. Michael), Caroline Safford (Dunham), Hannah Fontenot (Parkview Baptist)

Honorable Mention:

Alyssa Deason (Dunham), Kim Lam (Runnels), Courtney Gregoire (Episcopal), Savannah Wininger (St. Michael), Grace Villa (Ascension Catholic), Rae'Shaun Melancon (Ascension Catholic), Terri Drake (University), Carolyne Glaser (St. John), Hannah Pixley (Dunham), Cathryn Coulter (University), Saije Bady (Southern Lab)

Outstanding Player: Alexandra Mitchell (Episcopal)