PHOTO BY RICHARD AKRIDGE Jontell Ritz elevates for a kill during Friday's three-set loss to Killeen. The Lady Badgers return to action today at 5:30 p.m. for a home match against Hutto. The Lady Badgers gave Killeen a fight Friday evening, but they could not overcome their own mistakes and fell in three sets.

Coming out strong, Lampasas lost the first set by just five points at 25-20, before losing rhythm during the next two sets due to service errors and other mental letdowns. The Lady Kangaroos won the final sets 25-15, 25-17 inside Bozarth- Fowler Gymnasium.

"Our girls did really well, but we had some mistakes," coach Tracey Myers said. "They capitalized on our mistakes, and that was the difference in the ballgame."

Lampasas falls to 0-5 in district with the loss.

Despite the defeat, Myers was pleased with the effort her team gave, especially from Madison Morris and Falon Holland.

"Madison played great blocking balls, and Falon did a great job on the front row for us," said the coach.

Myers also was impressed with the Lady Badgers' communication during the match but noted the multiple mental lapses on defense were simply too much to rise above.

"They kind of get caught up in the moment and forget to get back and play defense," Myers said.

Lampasas' junior varsity team won its match versus Killeen.

After narrowly grabbing the first set 26-24, the Lady Badgers pulled away and clinched the victory with a 25-12 win in the second set.

The freshmen also came out on top, defeating the Lady Kangaroos in two sets 25-11, 25-20.

"They're working so well together," Myers said. "They have a few hiccups every now and then, but they pull it together and just keep fighting."

The matches against Killeen concluded the first half of district play for the Lady Badgers, who now must prepare for another difficult matchup against last year's district champion Hutto.

The Lady Hippos travel to Lampasas today with matches beginning at 5:30 p.m.

At the end of September, Hutto defeated both the junior varsity and varsity squads.

The varsity team lost convincingly in three sets 25-10, 25-14 and 25-5 while the junior varsity lost in two sets. After falling 25-9 in the opener, the Lady Badgers fought back in the second, but lost 25-14.

Myers is expecting a better effort against the Lady Hippos this time around.

"We are going to be better prepared for them," she said. "We know who their hitters are; we know what they run."

Home Match Tonight

The LHS varsity volleyball

team is scheduled to play Hutto tonight at 6:30 p.m.