The Barbe Bucs can claim the district volleyball championship this evening when they host the Comeaux Spartans at 5 p.m.

The Bucs (32-3) have their eyes on another trophy, the state championship version, after losing in the quarterfinal round of the playoffs each of the last two seasons.

First-year head coach Katie Kennedy said her senior-laden team has been fun to work with.

“(Former head coach Jeremy White) left a good program, he built the program up into what it was supposed to be,” said Kennedy.

“It has been an enjoyable year. We have had some ups and downs, it has been a good season so far. I have enjoyed seeing them grow through the season. It was rough at first, but it has been nice seeing them grow into the kind of players they can be. The biggest challenge as a new staff was just getting them used to what we wanted, what we expect of them.”

Kennedy said the Bucs are in position to accomplish their goals.

“In the short term, it is to be district champions, beyond that it is to get to the state tournament and eventually win the state championship,” she said. “My biggest goal for them is to get past the quarterfinal game, because they have not done that yet.”

“Our defense has gotten better during the season, our service and passing has gotten better too,” she said. “Being consistent in the system at all times keeps us going. We have done a good job blocking. Attacking has been our biggest strength and now we are blocking really well.”

Kennedy said the Bucs have the quality to clear that hurdle, but need to improve their mindset.

“It is a mental block,” she said. “Last year they beat Mt. Carmel in the first game, then didn’t have anything to lose. They haven’t done it before so there is a mental block about it. There is a different atmosphere at state with three games going on at the same time, that is something they have to get acclimated to, the New Orleans schools are used to it.”

Kennedy had the Bucs play a tough regular season schedule to prepare for the playoff run.

“Playing the stronger teams that are as good as you or stronger shows you what you need to work on,” she said.

This year’s team features a quintet of seniors including hitters Ebony Lewis and Payton Montgomery, captain Bailey Thibodeaux and defensive specialists Naomi Smith and Annemarie Self.

“Her stats don’t show it, but she does all of the leg work for us and her passing has been good for us,” Kennedy said of Thibodeaux. “It is important to have leaders like that. She works hard every day, she wants to be at practice. All five seniors have grown into that.”

Lewis said Kennedy has brought out the best in the team.

“Coach Kennedy is awesome, we have a good bond, the coaches push us hard,” she said. “She holds the team together well and holds us accountable for everything we do.”

Montgomery said Kennedy can be demanding.

“She is a hard coach, she pushes us to our limits, but we like it,” she said. “She expects a lot from us and we deliver.”

Self said Montgomery and Lewis power Barbe’s attack.

“We have a really big front row and can depend on Ebony and Peyton to put it down,” she said. “Coach Kennedy is very inspiring, she always encourages us to be a better person and player.

Thibodeaux said the team’s success is due to good chemistry.

“I like having these awesome girls on the team, getting to play with them and become a family with them,” she said. “That chemistry helps us. We can read each other and know what everyone is thinking. We know how to pick each other up when we are down.”

Smith said she has had fun serving as a team leader.

“I have enjoyed being in a leadership position and being able to bond with my teammates one more time before we try to win it all,” she said. “I always bring a positive attitude to practice and play with relentless effort.”(Rick Hickman/American Press)