By Robert Hudson

The Selma Times-Journal

The Wallace Community College-Selma volleyball team just could not gain control in its last home game of the season, as they fell to Gadsden State Community College 3-0 (25-17, 25-19, 25-19) Thursday night.

Wallace head volleyball coach April Harper said the Lady Patriots (10-12) didn’t play hard enough to win the game.

“You just have to stay positive because the momentum of the game will change, and you just have to keep playing,” Harper said. “We didn’t do that tonight. You can’t give up.”

Gadsden came out the gate strong, as they got off to a 6-2 lead in the first set.

That strong start would foreshadow the result of the first set, as Gadsden maintained the lead the entire set and would win 25-17.

Wallace would threaten in the second set after getting down early, as the Lady Patriots would tie the set at 13-13.

The Lady Patriots would take their first lead of the set and match at 14-13.

The teams would tie four times in the set, but Gadsden would take the lead at 20-19 and didn’t look back, as they won the set 25-19.

Gadsden would carry over the momentum from the second set, as they maintained the lead for the entire third set winning 25-19.

Nakia King led the Lady Patriots with nine kills, while Brandi Jones contributed seven kills and Nygia Brazier had four kills.

Laina Spencer led the Lady Patriots with 14 assists.

The Lady Patriots still have something to look forward to as they’ll prepare to play in the Alabama Community College Conference playoffs for the first time in program history.

Harper said her team will have to work harder if it hopes to win.

“We just have to keep pushing,” Harper said. “With two weeks before the tournament, we’ve got to get in here and practice. Hustle and heart, that’s the only thing that’s going to help us win and help us get over the hump.”