No. 16 Wallace State volleyball, the 10-time defending ACCC champ, begins 2019 season tonight
Picture: Wallace State’s volleyball team this season consists of, front row, from left, Kayla Thomas, Kate Kent, Kaitlyn Doyle, Kaden Edenfield, Amryi Paris Grace, Jordan Hollis and Karlee Hale; back row, from left, Nia-Simone Miller, Lauren Seibert, Diamond Jones, Tori Walker, Harlee Kate Reid, Mattrice Harris, Laci Reese, Courtney Patterson and Anna Renshaw.
HANCEVILLE, ALA. — Wallace State’s volleyball program has been the premier team in the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) for the past decade, winning 10 consecutive conference tournament championships and 11 straight regular-season titles.
The Lions’ quest for another championship-filled season begins tonight at Cleveland State Community College in Tennessee. Wallace State is the 16th-ranked team in the NJCAA Division I preseason poll.
“Our fall practices have been great, and I believe we have a good mix of sophomores and talented freshmen on our team. We have the potential to be a very strong team once the freshmen get experience and settle in at this level,” said Wallace State coach Randy Daniel, the all-time winningest coach in program history, entering his 13th season with the Lions.
While strong roster turnover is inevitable each season, Daniel and the Lions keep rolling. Wallace State finished last season with a 33-9 record, capturing its 10th straight ACCC/Region 22 tournament title and 11th consecutive ACCC/Region 22 regular-season championship. The team made its 10th straight trip to the NJCAA Division I national tournament and conference-best 18th overall.
“It’s not fair to expect this year’s team to repeat what our previous teams have achieved, but we always embrace the challenge to be the best team we can be,” Daniel said. “Our run has been based off consistency. Our players know what it takes to be the best on the court and in the classroom.”
Wallace State returns six sophomores from last year’s team: Kaitlyn Doyle, Karlee Hale, Kate Kent, Jordan Hollis, Kayla Thomas and Kaden Edenfield. Amryi Grace Paris is a sophomore transfer.
Doyle, a 5-foot-11 outside hitter from Hernando, Miss., was an ACCC All-Tournament selection last season. She became a strong contributor as last season progressed, finishing with 218 kills.
Hale, a Geraldine native, racked up 345 digs last season, the third-highest mark on the team. She added 150 digs. Kent and Hollis combined for 113 kills.
“Kaitlyn Doyle is a self-motivated player and wants to play elsewhere when she’s done here. We’ll have to depend on her, Karlee Hale and the other sophomores to lead the way early on,” Daniel said.
Among the freshman class, Daniel expects Tori Walker and Diamond Jones to contribute significantly on the front row. Walker is from Wilson High School and Jones from Ascension High School in Louisiana.
Anna Renshaw should provide stability at setter and Lauren Seibert at libero. Renshaw is from Cleveland, Tenn., and Seibert from Pensacola, Fla.
Rounding out the freshman class are Courtney Patterson (libero, Whitewater, Ga.); Mattrice Harris (middle hitter, Opelika); Harlee Kate Reid (outside hitter, Hayden); Laci Reese (opposite hitter, Mortimer Jordan); and Nia-Simone Miller (libero, Marietta, Ga.).
“This team has a lot of balance, and we’re deep at nearly every position. That’s important. I can plug in different players at the same positions and shouldn’t feel a drop-off,” Daniel said. “This team has a great attitude. I think we’ll be fun to watch.”
After tonight’s match, Wallace State travels to Spartanburg Methodist College in South Carolina for the SMC Invitational.
Wallace State’s first conference match is Sept. 4 at Lawson State. The Lions host Wallace Community College-Selma and Southern Union on Sunday, Sept. 8 in the home opener.
Wallace State hosts conference matches on five different September dates.
Kheala Beck, a former Lion, returns for a second straight season as the team’s assistant.
Daniel has compiled a 437-98 career record at Wallace State.
For more information about Wallace State athletics, visit www.athletics.wallacestate.edu or the athletics Facebook page at www.wallacestate.edu/athleticsfb.
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Russell Moore
Wallace State Community College
Creative and Content Services Coordinator, Communications and Marketing
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