Wallace State volleyball’s Cidavia Hall named a NJCAA 2nd-team All-American

HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State volleyball middle hitter Cidavia Hall earned another impressive honor on Thursday as she was named a National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division I second-team All-American.
Hall, a 6-foot-1 sophomore, led the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) this season in five categories, compiling 506 kills, a .631 hitting percentage, 3.86 kills per set, 207 blocks and 1.58 blocks per set.
The NJCAA second-team All-American nod caps a noteworthy season for Hall, who helped Wallace State (39-8) earn its seventh consecutive ACCC championship and make its seventh straight national tournament appearance and 15^th overall.
Hall, a Dothan High grad, was also named the 2015 ACCC Player of the Year, earned conference tournament MVP honors on Nov. 1 and grabbed NJCAA Player of the Week recognition in September, the same month she committed to play next season for the University of Alabama.
Less than two years ago, Wallace State volleyball coach Randy Daniel took a gamble on Hall, offering her a scholarship after her first visit to campus, despite never seeing a single block or kill by Hall, whether in person or film. Daniel became aware of Hall’s athletic ability by a coach from a four-year institution. Hall admitted last season her volleyball knowledge and instincts were limited before joining the Lions. She played basketball and volleyball in high school, but enjoyed basketball more at the time.
After two seasons in Hanceville, Hall, who is known as “CeCe” around campus, transformed into a Division I athlete, becoming one of the premier volleyball players in Wallace State history.
“The change CeCe made doesn’t happen too often, especially in junior college athletics because it’s such a quick turnaround. To know where CeCe started and to see where she is now is nothing short of amazing. I saw potential in her just by judging her character and maturity. I also knew she had the physical tools, but I never could have guessed she would be sitting here ready to go to Alabama,” Daniel said. “Give all the credit to CeCe. She’s the one who made it happen on the court. I was happy to be there to try to teach and motivate her and keep her focused.”
Despite Hall signing with Alabama, Daniel added he still receives daily inquiries about Hall’s volleyball intentions next season. Hall is the heaviest-recruited player Daniel has coached in nine seasons with the Lions.
“CeCe is tall and an elite athlete. She’s not an average athlete. She’s elite. Schools like Alabama or Auburn look for the elite athlete,” said Daniel, the all-time winningest volleyball coach at Wallace State.
As a freshman with the Lions, Hall had 157 kills and 46 blocks.
Hall and the Wallace State sophomore class were a part of 74 victories and a pair of conference championships over two seasons.
Hall continues the Wallace State volleyball streak of having at least one player recognized as a NJCAA All-American since 2009.
Syretha Pride was a NJCAA first-team selection last season, making history as the first player in program history to receive such esteemed honors. BreAnna Thompson was a NJCAA honorable mention selection last season for the Lions, joining Kianna Delaney in 2013, Erica Baker in 2012 and 2011, Lesley Bemis in 2011, Taulise Dunklin in 2010 and Cassie Daniels in 2009 as honorable mention choices.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit athletics.wallacestate.edu.