By By BRUCE HIXON
Sports Editor
A match like the one the Jefferson Davis Community College Lady Warhawks volleyball team had against Central Alabama Thursday is probably where the phrase "close, but no cigar" came from.
The Lady Warhawks had plenty of chances, but dropped a frustrating 25-30, 30-27, 30-28, 31-29 decision at home to Alabama Central.
It was the third meeting of the season between the teams and the second in three days. However, Central Alabama won both Alabama Community Conference contests. JDCC (4-13 overall) finished its league season Thursday with a 1-5 record.
"In a match like that, a play here or a play there would have changed the outcome," JDCC coach Misti Nims said. "It was one of the better matches we've played recently. Unfortunately service errors really hurt us."
Sophomore middle hitter Autumn Johnson led the Lady Warhawks in both scoring with 25 points, kills with 16 and blocks with seven solo and two assisted. Sophomore outside hitter Lashundra Clausell posted 14 kills and 23 points. Freshman outside hitter Holly Almondy added 12 kills.
JDCC dropped the front end of its back-to-back encounters with Central Alabama Tuesday when it dropped a 27-30, 30-16, 30-18, 30-28 decision on the road.
Lashundra Clausell powered the Lady Warhawks hitting attack with a team high 12 kills. She also led the team with five solo blocks and two assisted blocks. Freshman middle hitter Lucretia Merritt also had a productive night at the net with eight kills. Autumn Johnson posted three solo blocks and one assisted block.
The same trio led JDCC at serve. Clausell recorded a team best 20 points, while Johnson and Merritt each had 15.
"For whatever reason, we have struggled every time we've gone on the road this season. In fact we haven't won a game on the road this season. Perhaps our lack of experience is part of that. We've only got three sophomores," Nims said. "Probably the biggest thing that hurt us on the court in that match was our communication. We also had some service problems that hurt us at times."
JDCC, which played a road tri-match against Lake Sumter and Gulf Coast Saturday, is back home for a tri-match Tuesday. The Lady Warhawks host Pensacola at 5 p.m. and Wallace State at 7:30 p.m.
Upcoming JDCC schedule
Sept. 30 Home tri-match against Pensacola, Wallace State 5 p.m.
Oct. 2 Gulf Coast Home 6 p.m.
Oct. 7 Faulkner Away 5 p.m.
Oct. 10-11 Pensacola Away TBA
Oct. 14 Southern Union Home 5 p.m.
Oct. 16 Lawson State Away 5 p.m.
Oct. 21 Gadsen Home 5 p.m.
Oct. 23 Pensacola Away 6 p.m.
Oct. 27-29 State Tournament at Northwest Shoals TBA