Temple waited more than a month and was almost 30 matches into its schedule before playing in front of a home crowd for the first time last season.

The Tem-Cats plan to make up for lost time this year.

They got started on that Tuesday, sweeping a pesky Gatesville squad 25-19, 25-22, 28-26 in front of an eager bunch of fans at Wildcat Gym who saved their loudest cheers for after the final point was secured.

Willow Pratt found Kendall Tate for a shot along the left side that tipped off a Lady Hornets defender and out of bounds, securing the Tem-Cats’ 3-0 triumph following their comeback from match point in the third set in both teams’ season opener, after which a loud burst of cheers erupted from the home-side bleachers.