Poirrier ready to lead the Lady Bulldogs in 2017

Over the years, Ascension Catholic has consistently fielded one of the top volleyball programs in the parish. Just two seasons ago, they were two victories away from claiming the state championship.

But though the school’s success in volleyball has been steady, they have experienced some turnover when it comes to coaching in the past few years.

This time around, they will have a familiar face leading them from the sideline.

Donaldsonville native and Ascension Catholic alum Alaina Poirrier has been named the school’s new head coach, and she couldn’t be more honored.

“I’m so excited about being the coach at Ascension Catholic,” Poirrier said. “It’s a great opportunity for me, and it should be a great experience. I can’t wait to work with the girls this season.”

Poirrier has stayed active since her time as an Ascension Catholic player.

She graduated last year from Nicholls, where she was a cheerleader. Besides cheering, Poirrier took part in intramural volleyball. She even played a little beach volleyball.

This will be her first head coaching job at the high-school level. However, this won’t be the first time she’s been a head coach.

Last spring, she led Ascension Catholic’s eighth-grade team. Poirrier has also coached the Ascension-based FDL travel team.

She said that she is excited about the opportunity to coach at her alma mater.

“It feels great to be back home and to see how things have changed and how other things have stayed the same in town and at Ascension Catholic over the years since I’ve been gone. I’m really happy to be back coaching at my old school,” Poirrier said.

She will try to continue the success that the program has garnered over the years.

Two seasons ago, the Lady Bulldogs had one of their best years in recent memory.

They finished the regular season with an impressive 29-10 overall record. This included wins in 14 of their final 16 matches.

They went a perfect 8-0 in district play, allowing them to take home the league crown.

Ascension Catholic earned the No. 4 seeding in the playoffs, made the State Volleyball Tournament in Kenner and reached the state semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion McGehee.

After losing some of their best players from that team, Ascension Catholic still performed well in 2016.

They made the playoffs as a No. 17 seed and upset No. 16 Academy of Sacred Heart - G.C. in the opening round, before being eliminated.

Unfortunately for Poirrier and the Lady Bulldogs, they’ll be without both Carson Dunn and Grace Villa in 2017. Both were first-team All-District 3 last season, and Dunn was named the league’s MVP.

Although, Ascension Catholic will bring back three all-district performers in seniors Lauren Landry, Bailey Acosta and Hannah Settoon.

Poirrier said that she is confident in her team’s potential, as long as they put in the work.

“I want us to be able to set goals and to be able to reach those goals at the end of the year,” Poirrier said. “I want us to compete from the beginning to the end—whether it’s at practice or in a game. I want our team to work hard and to be prepared.”