Undefeated Wallace State volleyball hosting ACCC Gulf Atlantic District Tournament beginning today
Wallace State's Savannah Rutledge sets up her teammates in a match earlier this season. Rutledge leads the conference with 805 assists.
HANCEVILLE, ALA. – Wallace State volleyball has experienced unmatched success within the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) for more than a decade.
One new feat the program has accomplished is an undefeated march through the regular season. After having the 2020 season delayed until the spring 2021 semester, the 13th-ranked Lions haven’t missed a beat since the season began in February, compiling a perfect 31-0 record.
Wallace State volleyball needs three more wins, beginning today, to earn its 11th conference tournament championship in 12 seasons. The Lions host the ACCC Gulf Atlantic District Tournament at Traditions Bank Arena in Tom Drake Coliseum.
Top-seeded Wallace State will play either Snead State or Coastal Alabama-East today at 1:30 p.m. Today’s matches begin at 11 a.m.
Friday’s match times are 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m., and Saturday’s action begins at 10 a.m.
The championship match is set for 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
All matches are streamed live at https://www.jockjive.com/acccsports.html
“It’s been a challenging season for all teams. You never know what match may get canceled or how you might need to adjust your schedule,” said Wallace State coach Randy Daniel, who surpassed the 500-win mark with the Lions in mid-March. “That’s what makes this run so impressive. Our players have been zeroed in all season and have been mature leaders. The sophomores deserve the chance to be a champion for being dedicated to the program and Wallace State through all of the uncertainty.”
Outside hitter Harlee Kate Reid is among six Wallace State sophomores who persevered through having no volleyball to play during its traditional fall season. Reid is second in the ACCC with 291 kills.
“We’ve worked so hard because we weren’t guaranteed a season at all. It’s a great feeling to be undefeated, but our goal is to win the conference tournament and see what happens after that,” Reid said. “We’re a tight-knit team. We’re sisters and family and I believe our bond is stronger than most because we had a fall with no volleyball.”
Wallace State has remained perfect behind a balanced attack.
Sophomore Mattrice Harris is first in the conference with 312 kills, 3.59 kills per set and a .492 hitting percentage.
Behind Harris and Reid, Haven Hall is fifth in the league with 213 kills.
Freshman Savannah Rutledge is tops in the ACCC with 805 assists and Temperance Chatman has racked up a league-high 503 digs.
Sophomore Anna Renshaw has added 245 digs and 190 kills.
Wallace State won its 13th consecutive ACCC regular-season championship this season and is eager to avenge falling short of a tournament crown in 2019, the first time that happened since 2008.
“I don’t think hungry is the word for how badly we want to win the tournament. Wallace State volleyball has a tradition of winning and we want to hold up our end of the legacy. We plan to do all we can to add to the greatness,” Reid said.
For complete tournament results, visit https://www.acccathletics.com/sports/wvball/2020-21/releases/20210327ggyjsk
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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