SYLACAUGA - The Sylacauga Lady Aggies volleyball team defeated the Childersburg Lady Tigers, 25-11, 25-20 in the season opener for both squads Thursday night.

Lady Aggies head coach Sean Stevens was pleased with his teams’ performance.

“I feel like we communicated pretty well,” Stevens said. “Our serving could certainly have used some improvement tonight, but I felt like we played as a team and that is important to start the season off.”

In the first set the Lady Aggies (1-0) jumped out to a commanding lead. Meredith Gower’s kill gave Sylacauga a 10-3 lead. The Lady Aggies scored six consecutive points off the serve of Lauren Payton. Those six points gave the Aggies a comfortable 16-3 lead.

The Childersburg Lady Tigers (0-1) were able to rally late in the first game, but it would not be enough as they lost 25-11.

“I feel like in game one they really came out and played their game,” Stevens said. “I feel like they were having fun and they are beginning to see what we do in practice really does make a difference in the game.”

The Lady Tigers regrouped and kept the second game close. Childersburg stayed within striking distance, but service errors hurt the Lady Tigers.

“Our defense was pretty good tonight, but our serves are what killed us,” Childersburg head coach Lin Slater said. “Our serves were going out of bounds. We have a young team, a lot of first timers. We have to start playing aggressive at the net, but I definitely believe that we are going to get better.

“They have a first year head coach, so I am learning just like they are, but the thing about that is I know how to coach and I know what we need to work on and where we want to be. We want to be on the winning side and we have a lot of things that we need to work on. If we prefect our serves and get out serves together we will be a really good team.”

Gower led the way for the Lady Aggies with three aces and two kills. Mary Cate Thornton recorded two kills and two aces. Jasmine Debardlabon and Rhiannon Carroll recorded two assists each.

The Lady Aggies will play in the Vincent Invitational on Saturday 8 a.m. Childersburg returns to action on Monday when the Lady Tigers travel to face Central-Coosa.