HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Playing in its first conference match in more than a year, Wallace State’s 20th-ranked volleyball team notched a season-opening sweep at Bevill State on Tuesday night, winning 25-9, 25-15, 25-9, in the first match and 25-9, 25-15, 25-6, in the finale.
The first match counted towards the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) standings.
With the exception of cross country, all National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) fall sports were pushed to this semester. Tuesday night’s sweep marked Wallace State’s first matches since competing at the ACCC Tournament in November 2019.
“We’re thankful to be playing the sport we love. I think it means more to us now than ever because we see how easily it can be shut down,” said Wallace State coach Randy Daniel, who kicked off his 14th season with the program. “I’m grateful to our players who stuck through the changes and remained dedicated to Wallace State. It’s a good core group.”
In Tuesday’s opener, sophomores Harlee Kate Reid and Anna Renshaw paced the way. Reid finished with 12 kills and five digs, while Renshaw had nine kills and eight digs.
Savannah Rutledge collected a team-high 26 assists for the Lions, Mackenzie Davis had 11 assists, Temperance Chatman and Tobi Trotter each had 11 digs, Mattrice Harris finished with seven kills and Haven Hall added six kills and three blocks.
In the second match, Renshaw finished with 16 digs and nine kills, Davis had 24 assists and seven digs and Rutledge contributed 12 assists and seven kills.
Chatman finished with 12 digs and Trotter had six.
Reid accounted for six kills and Harris and Laci Reese added five kills apiece.
“I like this team and the versatility we have on this roster. We have strong players at each position,” Daniel said. “A handful of our of our sophomores will have a chance to play at the next level and the freshmen are a talented bunch.”
After Tuesday’s sweep, Daniel is only 23 wins shy of 500 career wins at Wallace State. He has led the program to 12 straight ACCC regular-season titles and has won 10 of the last 11 ACCC Tournament titles.
Players on this season’s roster not previously mentioned are Tori Walker, Courtney Patterson, Kelsey Shelton and Madison Cartee.
Wallace State was scheduled to play in a tournament at Pensacola State this weekend, but it has been canceled. The Lions continue ACCC play at Snead State on Monday.
Wallace State basketball splits with Chattahoochee Valley
Wallace State’s 20th-ranked women’s basketball remained perfect on the young season with a 64-58 victory over Chattahoochee Valley on Traditions Bank Arena at Tom Drake Coliseum.
Sophomore star Jiselle Woodson flirted with a triple-double for the Lady Lions (3-0), finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. She drained five 3-pointers in the first half.
Kashara Preston scored 13 points off the bench for Wallace State, Payton Golden had 12 points and freshman Kallie Allen contributed seven points and nine rebounds.
Wallace State led 38-24 at the half and 52-40 at the end of third quarter. The Lady Pirates made a late fourth-quarter charge, but never seized complete control.
Wallace State’s men dropped their first game of the season in the nightcap, falling 66-56.
The Lions had three players finish with double figures. De’Monte Nelson had 15 points, Kuran Garner finished with 14 points and six rebounds and Rafael Jenkins added 12 points.
Chattahoochee Valley nursed a 25-23 lead at the break and pulled away late in the second half.
Both Wallace State teams travel to Chattahoochee Valley on Friday before returning home on Tuesday to open conference play against Shelton State.
As an abundance of caution during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alabama Community College Conference has prohibited spectators from attending indoor events through at least Saturday, Feb. 13. Therefore, Wallace State basketball home games will be live streamed at the college’s YouTube page (https://www.youtube.com/user/WallaceState) and shared on the college’s main and athletics Facebook pages (links below) while fans are prohibited.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.
