By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

 

Wallace Community College Selma won plenty of points against Jefferson Davis Community College Thursday, but it couldn’t win the points in the final set when it mattered most.

The Patriots (0-4) lost a five-set match against the Jefferson Davis Warhawks (2-3) 25-22, 17-25, 21-25, 25-21, 8-15. Wallace head coach April Harper said the Patriots had no excuse for not finishing the match on their home court.

“We need leaders, stabilizers and closers,” Harper said. “When you have home court advantage, that’s why it’s called home court advantage. You’ve got to take advantage of your home games. When you’ve got a team down, you’ve got to keep them down.”

The entire match was a back-and-forth affair with the Patriots striking the first blow. Freshman Chloe Owens hit one of her 11 kills of the match to seal the first set 25-22.

The Warhawks quickly bounced back, as Jefferson Davis got off to a 7-0 start in the second set. Wallace tried to keep pace, but couldn’t cut the deficit. Jefferson Davis tied the match after winning the second set 25-17.

Harper kept her players’ heads in the game before the third set, convincing them they were capable of beating their opponents.

“This is your game to win,” Harper said to her players.

The Patriots put up a stronger fight in the third set. Freshman Denequa Harris served three straight points to start off the set and forced a timeout from Warhawks head coach Steven Dickey.

Wallace got out to a 10-7 lead, but Jefferson Davis won six straight points to take a 13-10 advantage. The Patriots were unable to come back in the third set as they lost 25-21.

The Patriots turned their luck around in the fourth set. They held a strong lead through the early part of the set until Jefferson Davis narrowed the score to 14-13. Harper called a timeout to refocus her players, and Wallace took back control of the set.

Wallace forced a fifth set with a 25-21 fourth-set victory.

“To [Wallace’s] credit, they fought back to win the fourth and it’s hard when you’re down 2-1,” Dickey said.

The Patriots couldn’t keep the momentum rolling into the final set of the match. Wallace quickly fell into a 13-3 hole. The Patriots won five straight points to make it 13-8, but ultimately fell 15-8.

Harper wasn’t happy with the way her players finished the match.

“The object of the game is to win,” Harper said.

“That’s the whole point of playing. Nobody wants to lose, so they’ve got to play harder. You got to play harder. I’m not getting all that I can get from my athletes and I’ve got to keep squeezing.”

Harper said it is vital her team learns to win at home because Wallace will be at home for the rest of the month.

“I’m hoping that this experience and this loss will resonate where they can be better and more prepared for the next game,” Harper said.

Up next, Wallace hosts Southern Union Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.