By Mike Coppage
Coach Jessica Burke’s competitive nature goes hand-in-hand with the success of St. Thomas More’s juggernaut volleyball program.
To those in attendance at the top-seeded Cougars’ Division II bi-district home playoff win against No. 32 Willow School on Wednesday, Burke’s drive to be the best wasn’t necessarily apparent.
Other than smiles and celebrations, Burke doesn’t show much emotion while watching her team, which is No. 2 in the final VSN/GeauxPreps Volleyball Power 25 rankings and has won three consecutive state titles.
“Getting emotional during games never helped my players,” Burke said. “I don’t want them to get emotional because the game has its ups and downs and built-in mistakes, or the rallies would never stop.
“I’m modeling what I want them to be: loose and consistent, looking to the next play.”
It’s at STM practices where Burke’s motivation shines through. She’s around 15 years removed from her days as a collegiate setter and right-side hitter, but Burke can still play with the best of them.
During practices, she teaches by example on the court.
“Anyone will tell you my main characteristic is that I’m competitive,” she said. “When I do that (at practice), I really get excited because I adore this sport, all the ups and downs and ins and outs.”
Burke said much of the Cougars’ success stems from their grueling summer workouts, which she said, “aren’t for the faint of heart.” What she didn’t mention, however, is that she participates in every exercise with her team.
“She ranks probably first or second in everything we do,” senior middle blocker Beverly Potier said. “Coach is very much still in shape. If you didn’t know she was the coach, you’d think she was another player in practice.
“She has that competitive nature, just like us, and wants the best for us. She does everything in her power to give that to us, including putting herself out there as a player in practice. It means a lot to me and the other girls, too. It makes us want to be better for her.”
Potier and senior UL Ragin’ Cajuns’ commit Rhyan Miciotto, who was honored on Wednesday for achieving 2,000 career assists, were freshmen on the Cougars’ team that ended city rival Teurlings Catholic’s streak of several straight state championships.
“I’ve learned a lot of valuable life lessons from this program that I’ll be able to take with me,” Miciotto said. “Hard work always pays off. Our mentality – having a strong mindset – knowing you can accomplish way more than you think.”
There are only a few transgressions that will get Burke upset: lack of defensive effort and failure to execute the game-plan are two she mentioned.
Fortunately, neither occur very often. Opposing coaches marvel at the Cougars’ defensive prowess.
“Man, she has taken this program to another level,” said STM boys basketball coach Danny Broussard. “She raised the bar, not just here, but in the Acadiana area.”
Broussard, like Burke, became a head coach at the school at a very young age. Both are highly decorated, as well. Burke was named National Federation High School Coach of the Year in 2023 and has earned numerous state volleyball coach of the year awards.
“No question, the expectations are high,” STM athletic director Kim Broussard said. “When you’ve won so many in a row, there is a target on your back, but the girls have handled it well.
“Jes has made them tune into each game and really focus on it. She isn’t about the hype and everything, I think the girls feed off of that.”
The Cougars (32-3) host No. 17 Scotlandville (19-9), which upset No. 16 Edna Karr, in the regional round on Friday at 5 P.M. The winner will face either No. 8 South Lafourche (28-13) or No. 9 St. Scholastica (17-18) in the quarterfinals.
“The level of excellence we demand in all things lends itself to championships and mental toughness,” Burke said. “A lot of the work is done in the summer when we start to build those relationships and realize how much we’re actually capable of here.”
Burke said this year’s squad ranks among the top three-to-five she’s coached. The Cougars might not have the firepower of former star AC Froehlich, who is now an impact player at LSU, but Kim Broussard ranks this year’s team is among the program’s best.
“She may not say this, but I’ll say it,” Broussard said. “This team may not have the best individual players, but from position to position, if it’s not ranked up there as the best, it’s one of the best teams Jes has had.”