HICKORY, N.C. — Walters State saw its season come to an end Saturday as the Lady Senators fell 3-0 to No. 5-ranked Catawba Valley in the Southeast District Championship at the Tarlton Complex (25-17, 25-15, 25-13).
For the second year in a row, the Red Hawks (33-4) ended WSCC's postseason run. It was the fourth crack at Catawba Valley for the Lady Senators (20-8) and the fourth loss. Walters State did manage to push CVCC to five games on Oct. 12, but was swept 3-0 in the other three contests.
The Lady Senators managed just 22 total kills in the match as they were overpowered by Catawaba Valley on its home floor.
Sophomore Alexis Wakefield (Portland, Tenn.) finished the game with nine digs. Freshman Amanda Singleton (Knoxville, Tenn.) delivered 11 assists to lead the team.
Sophomore Courtney Dotson (Greeneville, Tenn.) recorded four kills, two assists, six digs and two blocks. Freshman Olivia Oxendine (Pensacola, Fla.) notched four kills and two digs.
Freshman Taylor Tigue (Franklin, Tenn.) finished with eight assists.
The Lady Senators finish the year with their third consecutive Region VII tournament title. Of its 20 victories, Walters State recorded 17 3-0 sweeps and did not drop a frame against a Region VII opponent. A freshman-laden team, WSCC only loses two sophomores from this year's squad, Wakefield and Dotson.
Oxendine and Singleton were both recognized on the All-Region team, with Oxendine pocketing the region's most valuable player award and Singleton earning freshman of the year honors.