Lawrence High’s volleyball team did not look like a squad that had opened the season with a record of 4-12 when it dominated Shawnee Mission Northwest in the first set of its home triangular Thursday.

The Lions recorded eight aces in the first set against the Cougars to jump to a 25-10 victory, but momentum did not carry over into the second set for LHS.

The Lions dropped the next two sets and the match, 10-25, 25-12, 29-27, before suffering a sweep by Olathe East (25-13, 25-15).

Lawrence High players celebrate a point against Shawnee Mission Northwest during a volleyball tri on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 at Lawrence High School.

LHS coach Stephanie Magnuson could not figure why the Lions lost four straight sets after starting strong.

“I don’t know,” Magnuson said.

Seniors Caroline Dykes, Kyleigh Severa and Katie Murrish each had two aces apiece for the Lions in the opening set against the Cougars.

“I think that we thought that we had it in the bag and that they wouldn’t come back and fight,” said Dykes, who tallied 12 of her 20 kills on the night against SMNW. “We kind of let up a little bit on energy and just on our overall fight, and we can’t do that.”

The Lions got that energy back midway through the third set, and held a 27-26 lead after kills from sophomore Olivia Morgan and senior Nez Iskandrani, but the Cougars clawed back to win the next three points and take the match.

“It was a hard-fought game,” Magnuson said. “I wish it would have turned out the other way.”

Things did not get any easier for the Lions following the three-set loss to the Cougars. The Lions faced defending Class 6A state champion Olathe East after watching the Hawks quickly dispatch SMNW (25-11, 25-5).

The Hawks had plenty of height up front, including 6-foot-4 sophomore Kailea Carrier and five other players who were 5-10.

Lawrence High's Nez Iskandrani gets up for an attempted block against Shawnee Mission Northwest's Abbi Bird during a volleyball tri on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015 at Lawrence High School.

The Lions did not back down, though, as Iskandrani and Dykes led the charge up front.

“It feels really good when I get a block against those 6-feet girls,” Iskandrani said. “Just placement versus power on that. You just got to place the ball since they are so big.”

Dykes and Iskandrani recorded eight and four kills, respectively, against the Hawks, and Magnuson believed playing a top team like Olathe East could benefit the Lions.

“Olathe East is a fantastic team,” Magnuson said. “They are great competition and are going to go far this season. You just have to be consistent (when play against them).”

Lawrence High (4-14) will play at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the Leavenworth triangular.