Tony Eierdam/The Community News

Aledo junior hitter Kendall Naguin (12) rips a spike for a kill as hitter Abby Tomas (10) gets into position during the Ladycats' 25-12, 25-11, 25-14 sweep over Western Hills this afternoon at the AHS gym.

The state-ranked No. 8 Aledo Ladycats opened the 2008 volleyball season with consecutive victories over Western Hills and Mansfield Timberview Tuesday at the AHS gym.

Allie Bettinger recorded a match-high 10 kills and Abby Tomas and Blaire Fowler each added five stoppers to lead the Aledo Ladycats to a 25-12, 25-11, 25-14 victory over Western Hills Tuesday afternoon in AHS' first match at the AHS gym.

Bettinger led an aggressive Ladycat charge at the net that produced 34 kills.

“I am pleased with the win,” Ladycats head coach Kathy Goings said. “I was able to get everybody in, and that’s always a plus. I really liked the way our front row attacked the net. They did a good job doing that, and they did a good job defending the net with a few blocks (7) as well. I also thought our setting was good.”

Four other Ladycats also recorded kills. Tara Gough and Jordan Jacobs each registered four kills, while Nikolena Feronti and Kendall Naguin each added three stoppers.

Aledo also served 13 aces, with jump-serving Abby Tomas recording a team-high four aces, with Jessica Yeager adding three. Jenna Yeager and Jacobs each registered a pair of aces, while Caitlin Cole and Bettinger each served one.

Against Timberview, the Ladycats took the first two games with ease, 25-15 and 25-12, before outlasting Timberview in the match-clinhcing game, 25-19, to complete a double sweep.

The Ladycats will play Friday and Saturday at the Abilene Tournament.

Please see the Aug. 15 edition and on line edition of The Community News for more details on the matches.