Lots of folks have let this sportswriter know how nuts he is making statements that the volleyball team would arrive on the scene this year, the JV football team would survive another football season undefeated, and the varsity football team is as good as ever.

Sometimes, just stepping in on a practice with these teams, an onlooker can just simply feel the emotions of the teams as they prepared for their respective seasons.

The 2006 Lady Hornets volleyball team has certainly worked hard from day one and the drive to get better as a team unit each day has been apparent on both the JV and varsity squads.

The Lady Hornets opened up the season against a strong Dixie County team and would fall in two straight games, but not without an outstanding efforts led by the net play of Ashley Meyers and the sets by Emily Contraras along with some great serving. It was not uncommon in this game to see KatyJo Walker on the floor making several digs that kept long volleys going.

Perry came to town next, and the Lady Hornets took advantage of great team play, service points and hustle by Brandi Marlenee to dominate Perry the first two games. In the past seasons, the Lady Hornets had squandered matches like this, but would not be denied in this match stunning Perry three games to one to even their season mark.

Suwannee came to the home gym next, and that meant a packed house. The ladies would respond and received a fine effort by Lillie Prine on the strength of some nice spikes and consistent serves to stun the Lady Bulldogs sweeping the match in three thrilling games.

The JV team would not be outdone matching the varsity efforts. Tiffany Peacock and Bridgett Powe would produce good numbers on the serves to lead Mayo to sweeps over Perry and Suwannee while dropping an opening season match to Dixie. But even in the loss, the ladies just kept coming back in the contest before finally falling.

Even though there are players that was reward game balls and recognition for the volleyball play this past week, both coaches were quick to remind this sportswriter that it has been the entire team play that has got the Lady Hornets off to the great start to the 2006 season. Way to go ladies. Folks can continue to think this sports dude is nuts, but that is okay. The bottom line is that this volleyball program is on the rise and these ladies are not only fun this year, but actually very good teams that is going to leave a lot of teams doing just as Suwannee did, looking at each other in disbelief when the final results are turned in.