LAFAYETTE — The first-ever state tournament appearance for the Natchitoches Central High School volleyball team didn’t continue into the state semifinals, but it still made history for first-year coach Mindy Stokes and her team.

The Lady Chiefs, seeded fifth, fell 3-0 (25-16, 25-22, 25-16) Thursday afternoon to No. 4 South Lafourche at the Cajundome in the Division II quarterfinals.

NCHS finished with a 32-4 record, by far the best in school history in a program that went through two coaching changes in the offseason — the second one just a couple weeks before preseason practice began in August.

Nine seniors graduated from last year’s playoff team, but the Lady Chiefs stood strong and together to fashion a remarkable season. They won their first 12 matches, earned a brief No. 1 statewide ranking for the first time, and made state news with their continued excellence.

NCHS won a pair of playoff games to reach the state tournament.

Five seniors ended their NCHS volleyball careers Thursday: Ehren Guidroz, Sherilyn Guzman, Tatum Kay, Keaton Mooney, and Brooklyn Smith.

The other team members are Nevayah Christophe, Aubryn Dawson, Kamryn Dawson, Kynlee Harrell, Alison Key, Maggie Massia, Brilee Metoyer, Kaylie Rhodes, and Kendell Rhodes. Stokes’ assistant coach is Kacie Chenevert.