Wallace State’s August Newberry prepares to dig a Snead State serve in last week’s match as Jamie Pittman looks on.
HANCEVILLE – Wallace State’s volleyball team is on the brink of clinching its ninth consecutive Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) regular season title.
The Lions host Faulkner State at 3 p.m. Thursday at Tom Drake Coliseum and can secure the ACCC’s top seed with a victory over the second-place Sun Chiefs.
Wallace State (29-2, 12-0 ACCC) hasn’t lost a conference match in nearly three full seasons, winning 40 consecutive ACCC matches.
“Thursday’s match is very important for us. Every team here takes pride in continuing our streak of winning the regular season, and I’m proud of the way we’ve been playing. Faulkner State is hot and has been playing well though,” said Wallace State coach Randy Daniel, the winningest coach in program history. “We have three important days ahead of us. Our team has stepped up all season and played well when I’ve needed them to. I’m excited to see the things we can accomplish.”
Wallace State’s match vs. Faulkner State (11-3, 9-1 ACCC) is slated as the ACCC Game of the Week and will be streamed live on www.jockjive.com.
Beginning Friday in the Wallace State Fall Bash, the Lions have an opportunity to avenge their only two losses of the season, both to non-conference opponents Vincennes (Ind.) University and Catawba Valley (N.C.) CC.
Wallace State plays a pair of matches on Friday and Saturday during the two-day event. On Friday, the Lions play Vincennes at noon and Catawba Valley at 6 p.m. On Saturday, Wallace State squares off against Spartanburg Methodist (S.C.) at 10 a.m. and Martin Methodist at 2 p.m.
“We are excited to get another crack at the teams we lost to. You schedule the tournaments well in advance, so it’s rare you get a chance for some revenge. We couldn’t ask for more motivation,” Daniel said.
Sophomore Kelsea Bivins, an All-Region selection last season, leads the conference with 333 kills and has added 66 blocks and 60 digs. Bivins has been named the ACCC Player of the Week on four occasions this season.
MaKenzie Bearden is second in the ACCC with 242 kills, second with 107 blocks and first with a .442 hitting percentage.
Sophomore Cierra Davis has contributed 230 digs and 198 kills.
“Kelsea and Cierra have had a great sophomore seasons for us and we expected it. MaKenzie has made unbelievable improvement from her freshman year. It’s amazing how efficient and dynamic she’s been for us, especially considering how undersized she is up front. MaKenzie also has one of the best attitudes I’ve ever coached,” Daniel said.
Freshman libero Emily Wilson, a Walker graduate, leads the conference with 458 digs. The next best individual output in the league is 278 digs.
Meanwhile, Wallace State freshman Abby Borden leads the ACCC with 741 assists. The freshman from Arab was named the ACCC Player of the Week on Tuesday.
“Emily Wilson has been a rock for us defensively. She’s been consistent and dependable and plays fundamentally sound. Emily and Abby Borden have both had strong freshman seasons,” said Daniel, whose team swept Owens Community College last weekend, the 2nd-ranked team in the NJCAA Division II ranks.
Faulkner State and Gadsden State are also participating in the Wallace State Fall Bash.
Wallace State hosts the ACCC tournament on Oct. 28-30. The Lions will be seeking their eighth consecutive tournament championship.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit http://athletics.wallacestate.edu/.
