KFDM COOP Posted October 18, 2009 Report Posted October 18, 2009 Apperson, LaVergne help power Lady Bears Van Wade The Orange Leader LITTLE CYPRESS — There’s no question about it, Little Cypress-Mauriceville senior hitters Ashton LaVergne and Shelby Apperson have had banner seasons thus for long-time Lady Bear head coach Vicki Castino. However, they’re both battling hard to make sure LC-M gets another banner, a second straight District 20-4A volleyball championship. The Lady Bears (27-7, 10-1) are certainly sitting “pretty†so far, holding a one-game advantage over both Port Neches-Groves and Beaumont Ozen, who both sit at 8-2 with four matches left in the regular season. “That’s certainly been a goal ever since the year started, winning another district championship,†said LaVergne. “We’ve put in so much time and effort. We deserve it, but we have to get it done on the court. I like our chances though.†“Last year was special but this year means so much more, being a senior and all,†said Apperson. “We’ve really played so well as a team and all of us can count on each other to help everybody out. If one of us is struggling, someone else seems to step up and play well.†Both have posted outstanding numbers as hitters. LaVergne is 554-of-639 on attacks and has a whopping 222 kills to go along with 14 solo blocks. Apperson leads the Lady Bears with 20 solo blocks, 59 blocking assists to go along with 183 kills on 262-of-422 attacks. “I think all of the jump-training I did in the offseason helped a whole bunch,†said LaVergne. “I have so much more strength in my legs this year and that helps me get up in the air quicker.†“For me, I knew I had to work harder in the offseason,†said Apperson. “As a senior, the underclassmen look up to you as for as your work habits and such. I wanted to get stronger and quicker and really pushed myself hard to improve.†Castino has thoroughly enjoyed the impact made by the two seniors. “Ashton, she played a lot last year and did well and then she suffered an ankle injury that set her back,†said Castino. “This season, she worked so hard, especially on her leg strength and it’s paid off for her. She also always seems to come up big in the big matches and you gotta love that.†As for as Apperson? “Shelby, what a difference one year has made,†said Castino. “She has improved every level of her game and has worked so hard to be where she’s at. The thing I like the most is her competitive spirit. She’s so aggressive on her attacks and plays with so much emotion and the rest of the kids really feed off of that.†The two seniors play alongside arguably the best player in Southeast Texas in fellow senior Christine Sicktich. Sicktich, a four-year starter and the 2008 Orange Leader Player of the Year has had a tremendous campaign. She leads the Lady Bears in kills (353), service points (521) and aces (108) and is second on the team in assists (413) behind Kellie Tilley (505). However, LaVergne and Apperson are for from being just Sicktich’s sidekicks with the numbers they’ve posted as well. “The thing about Christine is that she’s so humble,†said Apperson. “She’s such a great talent but nothing goes to her head. She’s constantly pumping all of us up as a team. She doesn’t just tower over the rest of us, she’s always there for support. You couldn’t ask more from a team captain.†“Ever since we were freshmen, we’ve enjoyed watching Christine and everything that she does,†said LaVergne. “She’s such a complete player. She’s also always there for you. If you’re struggling with a certain part of the game, she’s right there to help you improve.†You also can’t forget fellow seniors Elissa Tate and Amy Laghlin, who have combined for 244 kills as well. Plus, there is the defense and setting of Tilley, Shelby Sanchez and Kalyn Harkness, the emergence of sophomore Megan Kemp and the service game of Allison Walker. The Lady Bears are certainly in good shape with two of their final three matches being in the friendly confines of The Bear Cave. They have Vidor at home Tuesday. They go to Lumberton Friday and will close out the regular season with a big date at home against Ozen Oct. 27. “The thing about our district is that you have to play hard each and every game,†said LaVergne. “PN-G, Ozen and Nederland are always strong but all of the other teams have stepped up too. No match is easy.†“Everyone always seems to bring their best game when they play us,†said Apperson. “They makes you realize how good you are and it also makes you want to keep a level head and go out and play your best game too. We don’t want to overlook anybody.†The two players, who have grown up playing together ever since their seventh grade Mauriceville Junior High days also have more than just winning district as a goal. “We were so disappointed when we lost to Dayton in the first round last year,†said LaVergne. “That loss still sticks in our minds today. District is our first goal but going further in the playoffs this time is definitely at the top of the list.†“That was a tough loss,†said Apperson. “I think we learned a lot since. We’re not going to go into any match overconfident again. We want to play real well in these last three games and get some momentum going into the playoffs.â€
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