Photo: Wallace State’s Abby Borden (14) squares up to assist teammates in Wednesday’s match vs. Gadsden State. Borden finished with 30 assists; Wallace State freshman Kaylee Maddox prepares to serve in Wednesday’s match vs. Gadsden State; Wallace State sophomore MaKenzie Bearden (16) attempts a kill against Gadsden State on Wednesday. Bearden finished with seven kills in the match.
HANCEVILLE – Kelsea Bivins tallied 12 kills, Cierra Davis had eight kills and six digs and Alicia Charles and MaKenzie Bearden each added seven kills as Wallace State’s volleyball team cruised to a 25-18, 25-13, 25-12 victory over Gadsden State at Tom Drake Coliseum on Wednesday night.
Wallace State (21-1, 7-0 Alabama Community College Conference) also swept Point (Georgia) University (25-11, 25-15, 25-16) on Wednesday, extending its winning streak to 12 matches and its conference winning streak to 35 matches, spanning the past three years.
“We came out a little sluggish against Gadsden State, but we settled down and made some plays. I’m very happy with our balance as a team,” said Wallace State coach Randy Daniel, the program’s all-time winningest coach in his 10th season. “Our sophomore leadership has been important. I ask the sophomores to step up and lead each year, and they’ve been doing a great job for us.”
Among the sophomores, Bivins has been named the ACCC Player of the Week on three occasions this season, including this week. Bivins, a Thompson graduate, leads the conference with 228 kills and has added 51 blocks. Bearden is second in the league with 170 kills and a conference-best .480 hitting percentage. Davis is third in the conference with 153 kills and ninth with 153 digs.
Against Gadsden State, freshman Abby Borden collected 30 assists and four digs for Wallace State, Emily Wilson finished with 12 digs, Holly Posey had seven digs, Kaylee Maddox had six digs and Jessica Lucio had four kills and four digs.
Against Point University, Bearden had 14 kills for the Lions, Bivins had seven kills and Davis had six. Posey added 14 assists and eight digs to the Wallace State attack, Wilson finished with 14 digs, sophomore Tara Miller had 13 assists and Kati Thomas added five kills.
Wallace State continues conference action today at Wallace-Selma before returning home Friday to host Jeff Davis at 2 p.m.
Wallace State men’s and women’s golf each finish 4th in respective tournaments
Wallace State’s men’s golf team placed fourth this week at the NJCAA District 4 Preview tournament in Brewton. The Lions finished with a 15-over par 910 as a group, shooting a 314-293-303.
Freshman Brandon Lacasse finished fifth individually for Wallace State, carding a 5-over 221. Lacasse shot a pair of 75’s over the opening rounds and wrapped up the two-day event with a 1-under 71.
Wallace State’s Luke Wilson finished tied for 14th with four other golfers with an 11-over 227.
Thomas Gevas (230), Brent Borden (232) and Garrett Senia (253) rounded out the Wallace State field.
Ten teams competed in Brewton. Central Alabama won the tournament, shooting a 4-over 877.
The men’s next tournament is scheduled for Oct. 16-18 at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.
Meanwhile, the Wallace State women’s golf team also finished fourth out of eight teams this week at the William Carey Collegiate Fall Classic in Hattiesburg, Miss.
Annalee Stephens finished 21st overall for Wallace State, shooting a 24-over 168.
Sophomore Abbi Yeager carded a 170 for the Lady Lions and Bradi Ruehl a 174.
Ashley McCormick (182) and Madison Autwell (193) rounded out the Wallace State field.
Host William Carey was the tournament champion, shooting a 37-over 613.
The Lady Lions host the Wallace State tournament on Oct. 9-11 in Cullman.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit http://athletics.wallacestate.edu/.
