Volleyball Archives - Page 2 of 5 - Woodlawn High School

The Panther Play by Play – September 3 – September 9

Sep 11, 2023

Each week the Panther Play by Play will review the athletic contests from the previous week and look forward to the coming week’s action.

Want to come out and cheer on the Panthers? Tickets for all home events can be purchased online.

Cross Country

First year Head Coach Erik Wagner and his Panther runners have continued to work hard around school. With the hot August temperatures behind us, our Cross Country team have been able to spend more time outside for afternoon practices. Our Panthers have been paced in practice by returning sophomore Liam Dowdy and newcomer Ty Davis. Freshman Kailyn Lebrun has been the leader of the girls’ team. Woodlawn’s Cross Country team will see their first action next weekend at Brusly High School.

Next up for Cross Country: Saturday, September 16 at the Brusly Invitational

Football

Week Two of the LHSAA high school football season saw our sub-varsity programs on a bye week. The freshman and JV teams will both be back in action next week as they host Dutchtown in a doubleheader. The contest was originally scheduled on Wednesday, but has been moved to Tuesday evening.

Our varsity Panthers faced the #2 ranked Division II team in the state of Louisiana Friday night. The Panthers fell to the Knights by the score of 49-14. Senior quarterback Myron Nelson found Jay’cob Jolla for a 35 yard touchdown strike to pull within 7 points at 14-7, but the Panthers found the going tough after that.

Woodlawn will host G.W. Carver next Friday night for Homecoming.

Next up for Football: Tuesday, September 12 – Freshmen and JV vs. Dutchtown; Friday, September 15 – Varsity vs. Carver

Swim

The Panther Swim team had their hopes of beginning their season drowned this week when the CCSL Season Opener at Crawfish Aquatics was cancelled due to water line issues in the surrounding areas. Our Panthers still took advantage of the week, practicing Tuesday through Thursday during their normal evening sessions. Our Panthers are hoping to get their season officially started this Saturday at Crawfish Aquatics in their regularly scheduled league meet.

Next up for Swim: Saturday, September 16 – Capital City Swim League at Crawfish Aquatics

Volleyball

Our Lady Panther Volleyball team had a slow week, with only one JV/Varsity match on Tuesday versus Belaire. The Junior Varsity got the contest started off with a strong statement, winning both sets by the score of 25-8. The Varsity team continued the strong performance with a straight set win of their own. Woodlawn defeated Belaire 25-10, 25-3, and 25-12. The win moved our Lady Panthers to 2-1 on the season before a busy week next week.

Next up for Volleyball: Monday, September 11 – Freshmen/JV/Varsity vs. Ponchatoula; Wednesday, September 13 – JV/Varsity vs. Madison Prep; Thursday, September 14 – Saturday, September 16 – at the Brusly Tournament

Winter Sports Practice Underway

Boys’ and girls’ soccer have begun preparing for fall practices. Those interested should see Coach K. Douglas and Coach Holton, respectively. Our Panther tennis program will begin practice next week. If you are interested in tennis, please see Coach Broussard.

The Panther Play by Play – August 27 – September 2

Sep 5, 2023

Each week the Panther Play by Play will review the athletic contests from the previous week and look forward to the coming week’s action.

The beginning of the school year brings with it the beginning of Fall Sports. Woodlawn High is home to four fall sports: Cross Country, Football, Swim, and Volleyball. All four sports have begun practice and are working hard daily to prepare for upcoming contests.

Want to come out and cheer on the Panthers? Tickets for all home events can be purchased online.

Cross Country

The dedicated Panther Cross Country runners have been relentlessly training and pushing their limits in preparation for their upcoming first race. No matter the temperature, they’ve been putting in countless hours on the trails and even inside the school building, building their endurance, and fine-tuning their techniques. The camaraderie and determination within the team are noticeable, as each athlete strives to achieve their personal best and contribute to the collective success. The Panthers are led this season by first year Head Coach Erik Wagner, who is looking forward to the team’s first race next weekend.

Next up for Cross Country: Saturday, September 16 at the Brusly Invitational

Football

Our Panther football team officially began their season this week, with Freshman, JV, and Varsity action all occurring throughout the week.

Both sub-varsity contests were marred by inclement weather. Neither game was completed due to lightning in the area, which forced both teams to clear the field two nights in a row.

The JV Panthers took to the field first, hosting the University Lab Cubs. The Cubs took an early 13-0 lead over the Panthers, who were unable to mount a comeback before mother nature won the night.

Tuesday night saw our Freshman Football team host the Live Oak Eagles. While rain and lightning eventually ended the game a few minutes early, our ninth graders were able to come away with a hard fought 12-6 win over the Eagles. Quarterback Brice Preston linked up with his favorite target, Alonzo Luckett, for a touchdown in the second contest in a row after the two connected in jamboree action versus Jesuit.

After a long off-season and preseason that saw practice times changed due to high temperatures, the Panther football team finally took the field in a game that counted. However, the Panthers’ ran into a U High team that was running on all cylinders. The Cubs defense dominated the game, allowing only 28 total yards in the first half on the way to a 33-0 halftime lead. Running back William Jackson scored on a 4-yard run with 29 seconds remaining in the contest to avert the shutout. When the buzzer sounded, the Panthers were on the wrong side of a 40-6 score.

Both sub-varsity teams will be off this week after St. Michael made the decision to cancel Tuesday’s JV contest.

Next up for Football: Friday, September 8 – Varsity vs. Lafayette Christian

Swim

The Panther Swim team completed their third week of practice under new Head Coach Jess Stidham. The team has been tirelessly honing their skills, dedicating themselves to grueling training sessions in the water. Late evenings have been the norm as they’ve pushed themselves to improve their strokes, endurance, and teamwork. The anticipation is palpable as they prepare for their first meet this Saturday, a culmination of their relentless efforts. With each practice, they’ve grown stronger and more synchronized, and now, they are eager to showcase their determination and unity in the pool. The Panther swim team is poised to make a splash at the upcoming meet, and their hard work and commitment are sure to shine through in every stroke they take.

Next up for Swim: Saturday, September 9 – Capital City Swim League Season Opener at Crawfish Aquatics

Volleyball

Our Lady Panther volleyball team had two contests this week, with a season opening contest at Parkview Baptist followed by their home opener versus Baker.

The Lady Panther volleyball team displayed remarkable resilience and determination in their matches this past week. Although they faced a disappointing loss in their first match at Parkview Baptist in three straight sets (7-25, 7-25, 23-25), their spirits remained unbroken. The defeat served as a source of motivation rather than discouragement and the team bounced back triumphantly in their second match, showcasing their true potential.

In their second match, the Lady Panthers defeated an outmatched Baker team in three sets (25-7, 25-9, 25-12). Woodlawn High exhibited outstanding teamwork, communication, and a renewed sense of purpose on the court. Their synchronized efforts and strategic play resulted in a resounding victory. This remarkable turnaround not only highlighted their skill and dedication but also exemplified the team’s ability to learn and adapt, proving that setbacks can often be the stepping stones to success. The Lady Panthers have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of volleyball.

Next up for Volleyball: Tuesday, September 5 – JV/Varsity vs. Belaire

Winter Sports Practice Underway

Our boys and girls basketball teams have both begun practice in preparation for the upcoming seasons. Joining basketball are the Panther powerlifting programs, who have begun weight training after school. Both the boys and girls soccer teams will begin practice in the near future as well.

Woodlawn Legacy Reagan McDowell Continues Volleyball Career

Mar 8, 2023

Reagan McDowell is a Panther. She went to Woodlawn Elementary, Woodlawn Middle, and chose to attend Woodlawn High.

“I’m a Woodlawn Baby. I went to all of the Woodlawn’s,” said McDowell. “And of my family went here. My mom and dad both came here. I didn’t want to have to start over somewhere new.”

Starting over somewhere new is ex

McDowell signs while her parents, Rashie and Megan, look on.

actly what is now in store for McDowell. Over the weekend, she signed paperwork to continue her academic and athletic career at Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee.

While McDowell has been a multiple sport athlete at Woodlawn – she has been an All-District player in the sports of volleyball, basketball, and softball – she will now focus all of her athletic time and energy on the volleyball court.

“I feel like volleyball is the sport that I worked most at. I got better as I worked and realized I could do more and play at the next level.”

Bethel University is an NAIA school in the Midsouth Conference. Led by Head Coach Starla Cupples, the Lady Wildcats finished the 2022 season with a 22-10 record. Cupples is obviously excited about adding McDowell to the program.

“Reagan is a pretty dynamic player,” said Cupples. “I really like her quickness, and when you combine that with her power, I think she will be a good player to have through the years.”

McDowell will report to Bethel in early August, and the season will begin a short three weeks later.

“I want to thank all of my coaches first. And I also want to thank my family for being my biggest supporters,” said McDowell. “They have always been there for me, whether it be in sports or in other areas of life. I thank them for always pushing me to better myself and helping me realize my goals.”

LHSAA Volleyball Playoff Brackets Released: No. 24 Woodlawn travels to No. 9 Chapelle

Oct 31, 2022

The Woodlawn High volleyball team learned its next opponent Monday as the LHSAA released its playoff brackets.

Coach Maria Gonzalez and the Panthers (23-13) earned the No. 24 seed in the Division-I tournament and will travel Wednesday to No. 9 Archbishop Chapelle (21-15) for a first-round matchup at 5:30 p.m. at the Metairie school.

“They’re good,” Gonzalez said. “Everybody’s going to have to be on. Nobody can have a bad game if we want to compete with them. That’s the bottom line. We can compete with them. But everybody’s got to be on. So hopefully that happens.”

Woodlawn and Chapelle haven’t played in at least a decade, but the Chipmunks participated in the Panthers’ early-season tournament Labor Day weekend.

“We didn’t play them, but they were here,” Gonzalez said. “So I got to watch them play, and I have film on them. They’re just a good, fundamental New Orleans all-girls school team. So we can’t make mistakes.”

Chapelle finished fourth in a loaded District 7-I that features four of the top 13 seeds in the division along with No. 1 Dominican, No. 2 Mount Carmel and No. 13 Chalmette.

Woodlawn finished third in a District 4-I led by No. 6 St. Joseph’s Academy and No. 11 Central (Baton Rouge).

The Panthers’ 23-13 record marked the program’s best record in more than a decade.

“I wanted to get to 20 wins,” Gonzalez said. “That was our first goal, and we did and exceeded that and got three more wins. We should’ve one a little more, but that’s part of it. But we usually lose in the first round, so our second goal is to get past the first round. So hopefully we can do that.”

The winner will advance to face the winner between No. 8 Natchitoches Central and No. 25 H.L. Bourgeois.

Woodlawn Volleyball finishes regular season with best record in 10+ years

Oct 28, 2022

The Woodlawn High volleyball team finished its regular season this week with the program’s best record in at least a decade.

The Panthers beat Baton Rouge Magnet in five sets Wednesday to improve to 23-13 and claim third place in the schools’ District 4-I standings.

That overall mark and .639 winning percentage are their best available in the LHSAA’s schedules archives, which date back to 2013.

“I’m very happy,” coach Maria Gonzalez said. “It went well. I wanted to get to 20 wins. That was our first goal, and we did and exceeded that and got three more wins. We should’ve one a little more, but that’s part of it.

“We usually lose in the first round, so our second goal is to get past the first round. So hopefully we can do that.”

Woodlawn awaits the LHSAA’s bracket release Monday to learn its official seed and playoff matchup.

But Gonzalez has been proud of the way the Panthers’ deep and talented roster has continued to come together against challenging competition and additional curveballs along the way.

“We’ve been on a rollercoaster ride,” she said. “We have injuries and people hurt and some people stepping up. We still have a couple people who are hurt that can’t play.”

Gonzalez shared a list of leaders such as seniors Reagan McDowell, Elysa Pitts, Marie Sierra and Karma Kasubaski; junior Branderia Graham, who has come on particularly strong late in the season; sophomore Krystel Amo; and freshman Katelyn Reed.

And the coach said that the Panthers have the potential to compete in the upcoming Division-I postseason if they can play up to their potential around those most consistent performers.

WOODLAWN HIGH VOLLEYBALL RECORDS
(10 years available in LHSAA archives)

year — record (percentage) — playoff result

2021 — 13-14 (.481) — Lost first round
2020 — 9-9 (.500) — Lost first round
2019 — 9-17 (.346) — Lost first round
2018 — 15-16 (.484) — Lost first round
2017 — 18-17 (.514) — Lost first round
2016 — 19-17 (.528) — Lost first round
2015 — 20-15 (.571) — Lost second round
2014 — 21-14 (.600) — Lost first round
2013 — 10-23 (.303) — Missed playoffs

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