By DAVE WOODALL
Slidell sports writer
SLIDELL – The Pope John Paul II Lady Jaguars began their march to the championship with a big, regional playoff win against the St. Thomas Aquinas Lady Falcons at the Jaguar gym on Monday.
The #1 seed Lady Jags (37-2) came off of a first round bye and looked like the layoff had no effect on their play reeling off a three-set win 25-6, 25-6, 25-16 and will now head to the Pontchartrain Center for the quarterfinals.
The Lady Jags were in control throughout the night thanks to a service game that was phenomenal.
“I thought the Lady Jags played well and stayed in system,” said Pope John Paul II coach Rachel Battistella. “Our serving was outstanding and we are looking forward to the quarterfinals.”
Marlena Cutura had eight blocks and Sydney Neyland had four. Cutura and Ansley Tullis each had eight kills while Sarah Trosclair added 10. Milayne Danna had 20 assists and Camille Dedeaux pounded eight aces.
In an interesting quarterfinal matchup, the Lady Jags will take on #6 seed Newman who they beat last year to win the state championship. That game is set for a 10:50 a.m. start.