By Kyle Roberts
Ruston High honored five senior volleyball players and a senior manager Thursday night before sweeping West Ouachita in straight sets by final scores of 25-15, 25-6, and 25-10.
Seniors Shelby Freeman, Allie Richardson, Hannah Rollins, Jade Smith and Cala Wilson all played in their final regular season home match, with Gabby Sterling as their senior manager.
“They’ve been great to me coming in an stepping in for Coach (Lucie) Hunt,” Ruston head coach Mandy Cauley said. “They didn’t question me, or my decisions; they listened and bought in. And I really can’t express much I appreciate that. And it’s paid off because what they’ve done for each other and for the team is just phenomenal.
Cauley was quick to also praise Sterling for her role on the team.
“She’s absolutely phenomenal,” Cauley said. “The girls love her; she loves the girls and the program. She is just really close with all the coach staff and serves wholeheartedly. We just love Gabby.”
Ruston took the first set 25-15 after Smith finished with five kills, while junior Harper Cauley finished with four kills and a service ace. Smith would get three more kills in the second set, while Rollins got three kills and a block en route to a 25-6 win.
Finally, the Lady Bearcats finished the Lady Chiefs off in the third set 25-10 with Rollins getting five kills in the final set.
“The girls executed well tonight,” Cauley said. “I thought we did a great job of playing our game, and that, to me, shows where we’ve grown mentally.”
Already district champions, the Lady Bearcats will travel south for one last tournament at The Dunham school before learning of their seeding for the power rankings on Monday.
