Athletics Roundup: Women’s Tennis Excels at ITA Southeast Regional Championships; Volleyball Shines at Showdown on the Wabash Tournament

The Wallace State Women's Tennis team delivered impressive performances at the 2024 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Southeast Regional Championships, held at Sand Mountain Park in Albertville from Sept. 27-29. With standout showings in both singles and doubles play, the Lady Lions secured multiple titles and set the stage for future national competition. 

In doubles action, sophomore Noelle D'Angelillo of Orlando, Fla., and freshman Jaedyn Martin of Madison claimed the A draw doubles title. Their path to victory included hard-fought battles in the semifinals and finals, ultimately culminating in a 7-5, 6-3 win over Oxford College of Emory University's Lily Liu and Olha Los. With this victory, D'Angelillo and Martin earned an automatic bid to the Oracle ITA Cup in Rome, Ga., where they will compete against the top players in the nation.  

The Lady Lions' success continued in singles play. Both D'Angelillo and Martin delivered strong performances throughout the tournament, with D'Angelillo taking home the A draw singles title after a series of commanding wins. Martin also impressed with her deep run, making it to the final round. 

Both teams now look forward to the national stage, with D'Angelillo and Martin set to represent Wallace State alongside sophomore Zac Riley of Brisbane, Australia, and freshman Alexander Edley of Durban, South Africa, who also received an at-large bid for singles, at the Oracle ITA Cup from Oct. 10-13. 

Wallace State Volleyball Sweeps Southwestern Illinois in Straight Sets (3-0) 

The Wallace State Volleyball team kicked off the Showdown on the Wabash tournament hosted by Vincennes University with a 3-0 sweep over Southwestern Illinois College on Oct. 4.  

Freshman Rachel Mecklenburg of Madison led the offense with 12 kills and 13 assists, adding 10 digs, two service aces and two block assists. Sophomore Chloe Jackson of Athens contributed seven kills, two service aces, two digs and two block assists. Freshman Amanda Monge of Davenport, Fla., added 10 kills and 14 digs. Freshman Molly Shiflett of Corner tallied four kills, 14 digs, one service ace and one block assist. 

Freshman Abby McDonald of Fairview led the defense with 13 digs. Freshman Ali Price of Rainsville added eight digs. Sophomore April Burgess of Alabaster chipped in with two kills, five digs and one block assist, while freshman Aliana Quesada of Orlando, Fla., contributed two digs to round out Wallace State's defensive effort. 

Wallace State Volleyball Outlasts Vincennes in Five-Set Battle (3-2) 

Wallace State pulled out a 3-2 victory over Vincennes University on Oct. 4 during the Showdown on the Wabash tournament.  

Mecklenburg led the team with 20 kills, 21 assists, 18 digs, three service aces and two block assists. Jackson contributed 10 kills, two service aces, two digs and two block assists. Shiflett tallied nine kills, 11 digs and two service aces. Monge added 12 kills, 15 digs and two service aces. 

McDonald led the defensive effort with 16 digs, while Price added seven digs. Freshman Ava Calvarese of Fairview and Quesada each tallied one dig, and Burgess chipped in with four digs to round out the team's defensive contributions. 

Wallace State Volleyball Sweeps Wabash Valley in Straight Sets (3-0) 

Wallace State secured another 3-0 sweep, this time against Wabash Valley College, on Oct. 5 during the Showdown on the Wabash tournament. The Lady Lions won with set scores of 25-22, 25-14 and 25-21. 

Jackson led the offense with 12 kills, adding one service ace, one solo block and one block assist. Monge contributed 11 kills, 10 digs and one assist. Mecklenburg added eight kills, 12 assists, six digs and one service ace. Shiflett tallied three kills, nine digs and two service aces, providing key support in the back row. 

McDonald anchored the defense with five digs, two service aces and two assists. Price added six digs and one service ace. Burgess and Quesada each chipped in with two digs, while freshman Kailey Dickerson of Wellington tallied six digs. 

Wallace State Volleyball Claims 3-0 Victory Over Edison State (3-0) 

Wallace State closed its strong performance at the Showdown on the Wabash tournament with a 3-0 win over Edison State Community College on Oct. 5. The Lady Lions secured the victory with set scores of 25-20, 25-18 and 25-7. 

Jackson led the offense with 15 kills, contributing two digs in the match. Mecklenburg followed with 11 kills, nine digs, two assists and one service ace. Dickerson added seven kills and four digs, while Monge contributed six kills and 11 digs.  

McDonald provided strong support with 14 digs, four assists and three service aces. Price tallied seven digs, Shiflett tallied four digs and freshman Amelia Fowler of Sardis City recorded 2 digs. Burgess, Calvarese and Quesada each chipped in with one dig to round out Wallace State's defense.  

The Lady Lions will next face-off against Lawson State Community College in an away matchup on Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. 

The Wallace State Volleyball team is currently 24-8.