LYLE — Lyle-Pacelli sophomore Lucy Nelson is hoping to have a breakout season on the volleyball court for the Athletics this year and she took a big step towards that goal in Lyle Gym Thursday.

Nelson hammered home 12 kills as the Athletics swept Hope Lutheran (0-1 overall, 0-1 SEC) by scores of 25-19, 25-20, 25-23.

Nelson had a late kill in game one and she had two late kills to seal game two after HL had pulled to within 23-20.

“I’m really excited,” Nelson said. “I’ve been working a lot and Brooke [Walter] is doing really well as a setter. She’s putting the ball where it needs to be.”

LP (1-0 overall, 1-0 SEC) has to find some new play-makers after the graduation of long-time starters Courtney Walter and Sarah Holtz. LP head coach Lauren Cost said Nelson may slide into that role.

“She has an opportunity to definitely be a power house for us,” Cost said. “She can do it all. She can pass and hit and we need someone with confidence who can step in and take control of the game.”

LP led the last game 20-10 before HL came back to tie it up at 21-21. The Athletics were able to close out the win when Bethany Strouf delivered on a couple of late kills.

Strouf said it was a little tough to play the first match so early in the year, but it was useful for the team to get some players on the varsity floor for the first time.

“We had new girls so we were kind of getting used to the rotation,” Strouf said. “We were adding girls to new positions.”

LP stats: Bethany Strouf, 7 kills; Lucy Nelson, 12 kills; Olivia Christainson, 5 blocks; Grace Einck, 2 blocks; Brooke Walter, 24 set assists; Faith King, 6 aces; Kendal Truckenmiller, 3 kills