Beatty High School's volleyball team made the long trip to Laughlin worthwhile Friday, beating the Lady Cougars in its opening match of the 2006 fall season.

Coach Mike Duszynski's team stopped Laughlin 25-18, 16-25, 25-21, 25-17, with Charley Underwood and Autumn Spicer leading the Hornets' net attack. Amber White and Jennifer Porte scored key points serving, and standouts in serve-receive were Chriscel Rankin and Spicer.

Idhaly Flores and Rankin got key saves defensively for the Hornets, who will compete in the Pahrump Valley Invitational Friday and Saturday.

"Laughlin didn't have all of its players there ... some didn't have enough practices," said Duszynski. "But we were able to do a lot of things well. We're taller this season, so we can now hit the blocks, something we haven't been able to do for a while."

As for the PVHS tournament, the coach said, "We're looking forward to it.

"Tonopah is there and so are (Class A rivals) Lake Mead Christian Academy (a 2005 bracket champion), Trinity Christian, Calvary Chapel and Alamo (the Nevada 1-A state champion)," said Duszynski.