Coach Tracy Barnes and the Lafayette Lady Hornets volleyball team has to feel like the proverbial monkey is off their backs after the team defeated Taylor County in four sets to end a long, long losing streak that has span three years. The streak stopped at 38 when the visiting Lady Bulldogs fell 27-25 in the deciding match to the Lady Hornets.



“It was almost like being unbelievable,” said the Lafayette coach after the game. “I am happy for the girls and we all are glad that it has come to an end. They were so excited after the game.”



The last winning season for the Lady Hornets volleyball team was in 2001 when they won the district tournament. Since then the program has found victories less coming. Lafayette went winless in 2002 and 2003 before posting the victory last week.



Senior Stacy Lewis and sophomore Ashley Myers led the late match that Lafayette won 27-25 in a close encounter. “Ashley is just a sophomore but she stepped up for us,” said Coach Barnes. “It was a whole team effort, really, and we played well in all four matches.”



Taylor County came out dragging in match three with Lafayette posting a 25-12 win.; “They seemed to let down and could have been tired,” the Lady Hornet mentor said. “But they are a good team. They are no push over.”



Kayla Wilson was the Lady Hornet’s inspiration in match one, a game the Lady Hornets won 26-24 over the pesky Lady Bulldogs. Wilson finished with five serves and four sets in the opening match. Fran Smith, a sophomore, had three kills and Myers posted two kills for the Lady Hornets. Kathy Jo Walker had four sets and Sabrina Atwell had three sets in the win.



In match two, Taylor County tied it with a match apiece by posting a 25-22 win. Walker had six sets and three serves for the Lady Hornets. Wilson finished with seven sets and Smith had four kills. “We struggled in the second match,” said Coach Barnes. “We are still struggling with our serves.”

In the 25-12 third march win, Myers had seven serves for points with Smith finishing with four kills. Wilson has four serves and Walker had four sets. “We seemed to have gotten our second win in the third match,” said Barnes. “Wilson had a good game for us as did Myers.”



Wilson totaled six sets in match four that led to the 27-25 win in match number four. Walker had nine serves with Lewis coming up with five kills. Smith finished with four kills and Myers had three kills. Whitney McGrew had two kills.



Lafayette (1-2) travels to Hamilton County tonight and returns home next Monday night to begin a three game home stand.