Athletics Roundup: WSCC Volleyball Sweeps Snead State and Gadsden State; Cross Country Teams Move Up in National Coaches Poll; Men’s Golf Competes at Turtle Point Invitational; Three WSCC Athletes Named ACCC Players of the Week
The Wallace State Volleyball team earned a commanding 3-0 victory over Snead State Community College on Oct. 15, with set scores of 25-13, 25-16, and 25-15. The Lady Lions were dominant both offensively and defensively throughout the match.
Freshman Amanda Monge of Davenport, Fla., led the team with nine kills, six digs and two service aces. Freshman Kailey Dickerson of Wellington added eight kills, 12 digs, one assist and one service ace. Freshman Rachel Mecklenburg of Madison contributed six kills, 13 digs, one assist, one block and four service aces. Sophomore Chloe Jackson of Athens chipped in with two kills, one dig, one assist and two service aces. Freshman Ali Price of Rainsville tallied one kill, five digs and one service ace. Freshman Aliana Quesada of Orlando, Fla., added two kills and freshman Abby McDonald of Fairview tallied seven digs.
Wallace State Volleyball Dominates Gadsden State in 3-0 Victory
Wallace State continued their strong performance with a 3-0 sweep over Gadsden State Community College, winning the conference matchup with set scores of 25-7, 25-14 and 25-14.
Monge once again led the team with 13 kills, seven digs, four blocks and two service aces. Jackson contributed 10 kills, four digs, two assists, four blocks and two service aces. Dickerson added eight kills, eight digs and three service aces. Mecklenburg recorded eight kills, eight digs, three assists and 1 service ace. Quesada had four kills and four blocks. Price contributed one kill, six digs and one block, while McDonald anchored the defense with 12 digs, one assist and one service ace.
The Lady Lions will next face off against Calhoun Community College in a home showdown on Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. The Wallace State Volleyball team is currently 30-9.
McDonald Named ACCC Defensive Player of the Week
This week, McDonald was named the Alabama Community College Conference (ACCC) Defensive Volleyball Player of the Week. McDonald was a force on defense, averaging 71 digs (3.94 per set) along with seven assists (0.38 per set) and seven service aces this week, playing a pivotal role in her team's success at the Snead State Invitational Tournament.
Wallace State Cross Country Teams Continue Strong Showing in National Coaches Poll
Both Wallace State's Men's and Women's Cross Country teams maintained their strong standing in the Week 3 NJCAA Division II National Coaches Poll, released by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) on Oct. 16. The women's team remains in third place after securing the number two spot in the first two weeks of the season. The men's team has also made strides, moving up one spot to fourth in the latest rankings after falling to fifth in Week 2.
The Wallace State Men's Cross Country team has shown significant improvement from its preseason ranking of eighth. With each week, the team has climbed higher, reflecting the progress made since last season's fifth-place finish at nationals. This year's steady rise, especially after strong showings at key meets, signals the team's potential for another top finish.
For the Women's Cross Country team, this year marks their highest ranking in recent history. After starting the preseason ranked seventh, the team leaped to second place in Week 1 and has since held steady at third. Last year, the women's team finished eighth overall at nationals, and they look poised to improve upon that result in 2024.
Anthony and Gosline Named ACCC Runners of the Week
This week, two Wallace State Cross Country athletes were recognized by the ACCC for outstanding performances in the Royals Cross Country Challenge hosted by Queens University in Charlotte, N.C.
Freshman Tyler Anthony of Fort Payne was named ACCC Men's Runner of the Week. Anthony posted a time of 26:01 in the Men's Gold 8K, improving his personal best by 40 seconds. His performance marked the second fastest time in the conference.
Freshman Grace Gosline of Arab earned the ACCC Women's Runner of the Week honors. Gosline broke the 20-minute mark for the first time, running the Women's Gold 5K in 19:38. Her time was the second fastest in the conference this year.
Both teams will next compete in the ACCC Region 22 Cross Country Championship at John Hunt Park in Huntsville on Oct. 25.
Wallace State Men's Golf Competes at Turtle Point Invitational
The Wallace State Men's Golf team faced a competitive field at the Turtle Point Invitational, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I tournament hosted by the University of North Alabama, held at the Turtle Point Yacht & Country Club in Killen from Oct. 13-15. With a ninth-place overall finish, the Lions showcased individual highlights and gained experience competing against some of the strongest programs in the region.
Sophomore standout Cole Lindeman of Priceville led the way for Wallace State, continuing his strong season with a 12th-place individual finish. Lindeman posted a three-round total of -3, highlighted by an impressive -5 in the first round and a solid -1 to close the tournament. Freshman Tristan Tidemann of Chanhassen, Minn., finished 60th, improving his consistency in the second round with a +2. Freshman Dylan Hunt of Essex, U.K., tied for 63rd with rounds of +6 across the board, showing steady progress. Sophomore Nick Cook of Enterprise battled through the weekend to finish 65th, delivering a strong second-round performance of +2. Sophomore Sam Mitchell of Pottstown, Pa. finished 70th overall, opening the tournament with a solid +2 in round two.
The team will return to action at the Jefferson State Men's Invitational Tournament hosted by Jefferson State Community College at Musgrove Country Club in Jasper on Nov. 4-5.
