By DAVE WOODALL
Slidell sports writer
SLIDELL — The #12 seed First Baptist Christian clinched its first second round playoff victory in school history with a three set victory over #5 seed Houma Christian to earn a berth in the State Volleyball Tournament at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner.
The Lady Eagles were not to be denied winning 27-25, 25-23, 25-14 and will face #4 seed St. John at 9:00 AM, Thursday, November 13 on Court #3.
In set one, FBC led 24-19 before Houma Christian scored five consecutive points to tie the game at 24-24.
But FBC stormed back to take a 27-25 win.
The second set was a carbon copy of the first as FBC took an early 13-6 lead. But Houma pulled to within 16-11 and then tied it at 23-23
Lady Eagle captain Madison Jones stepped up and scored two aces to finish off the 25-23 win.
The Lady Eagles took the wind out of Houma’s sails in the second set and coasted in the third and final set.
FBC jumped out to a quick 6-1 lead that ballooned to 17-7. Houma called for a timeout but it didn’t slow down the FBC charge that ended with the 25-14 win and a trip to the third round of the playoffs.
In the win, Olivia Gaudin had four kills while Katelin LaFollette added two blocks.
Jackie Fredericks had her usual outstanding game contributing 22 kills and six aces.
And the win had special meaning for Fredericks who suffered an ACL injury one year ago in the second round of the playoffs. A full year of rehab and training has brought her and her team full circle for a shot at the title.
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SLIDELL — It was a huge win for First Baptist Christian as the #12 seeded Lady Eagles defeated the #21 seed Highland Baptist Lady Bears 3-0 (25-16, 25-20, 25-21) in the Bi-District round of the state volleyball playoffs.
The Lady Eagles must now go on the road to face the #5 seed Houma Christian in the Regional round of the playoffs.
The only problem that faced FBC was in the third set of the match where Highland was on top 17-11. But thanks to some nice serving by FBC Libero Madison Jones the Lady Eagles were able to overcome the deficit and come back to take a 25-21 win to end the match.
Having nice night for the Lady eagles were Jackie Fredericks with 16 kills, one block and nine aces. Olivia Gaudin had 10 kills and three aces with Jones picking up 12 digs. Cheyenne Lentz had three digs and one ace while Katelin LaFolette contributed two kills and one block. Lauren Thirstrup led the offense with 34 assists while also collecting three digs.
“We played a good, all around game tonight,” FBC coach Brett Hederman said. “We are anxious to take on Houma Christian again since they beat us twice this year. It should be good and loud down there and we are looking forward to it.”
Lady Eagle team leader Jackie Fredericks was also happy with the win saying, “I’m very proud of the girls. They hung in there in the third set and never gave up. I’m really excited to play Houma again. I think we will do a great job against them.”