SKIDMORE — The visiting George West Lady ’Horns have several varsity volleyball players with more than three years of experience, and it showed on Friday afternoon as the GW girls won in three straight sets over their host Lady Cats.

The first two sets in the best of five match were dominated by the Lady Horns, 25-9 and 25-6.

“Our team fought hard tonight. The first game we came out a little flat as GW started with a 8-0 run,” said head coach Tim Stowe.

“We were able to bring it back to 9-14, but then GW took control of the game.”

The defense and the net play were too much for the Lady Cats to handle, and the GW girls played up to their 17-3 record.

The third set was a little better for the S-T squad, but the GW girls won 25-19.

“Before the third game, I talked to the team about respect and fighting. We know that nobody is going to just give us respect, we have to earn it,” said Stowe.

“My team played with greater intensity and effort in the third game. Although it was a losing effort, I am very proud of how they responded the third game.”

The visitors led early but never more than five or six points. The Lady Cats continued to fight and claw back in the set. Neither team could make an extended run, and the Lady Cats were in the contest until the last few points.

“I think they (his players) earned respect from GW and the fans for their effort in game three,” said Stowe.

Despite the loss, the coach got impressive play from the Lady Cats.

“Isabel Jimenez had a breakthrough game tonight against GW. I have been yelling at her all year to be big on the front row, and tonight she was,” Stowe said.

“She is only 5-4 or 5-5, and she had several huge blocks and a couple of kills. It was great to get that kind of performance out of a sophomore. I am very proud of her effort.”

Amy Berthold played well along the net with four kills on the night.

Stowe liked what he saw in the George West volleyball team and Lady Horns head coach Cathy Taylor.

“GW is a great team. It’s really the type of program that I would like to emulate and build Skidmore volleyball to be. I have tremendous respect for Coach Taylor and the program she has built in GW,” Stowe said.

“In time, I know we will be there as well. Just one step at a time.”

The next step came on Tuesday night when the S-T girls traveled to Mathis to tangle with the Lady Pirates.