BOAZ, Ala. – Heading into the month of October, the Snead State Women's Volleyball team (17-9, 6-3) has won nine of its last 13 matches, including three of their last four. Over the stretch, the Lady Parsons fell short in three matches that ultimately went to five sets.

"We have had a good season so far even though we have had a couple of heartbreaking 5-set losses last week," said Snead State head coach Cristie Brothers. "The September fatigue is something we are fighting through."

This season, Snead State has played a league-leading 99 sets over 26 matches. In that span, the Lady Parsons are averaging 14.9 points (6^th), 17.63 digs (1^st), 11.39 kills (4^th), 9.48 assists (8^th), 2.18 service aces (4^th) and 1.31 blocks (11^th) per set.

As of Oct. 1, the Lady Parsons were sitting at third place in the ACCC North Division standings. While in solid positioning to make the ACCC Championship Tournament, Brothers said there's still room for improvement.

"We are still working toward running a quicker offense," she said. "Our passing has really improved, so I believe it will still come. We are also still working to improve our blocking. I appreciate our girls for really working to improve in these areas." 

Individually, Snead State has several players among the conference's statistical leaders.

Lilly Rowell, who was First-Team All-ACCC in 2022, ranks first in Total Attacks (872) and Kills (298), and fourth in Kills per Set (3.01) this season.

Jaden Dismuke, a sophomore from Geraldine, is third in Digs (362) and sixth in Service Aces (35).

A quartet of freshmen have stepped up this season to make an impact on the squad, including Jaleigh DeVine, Alena Godwin, Gracie Manley and Lainie Phillips.

DeVine, a freshman from Attalla, is third in Total Attacks (642), second in Kills (270), ninth in Kills per Set (2.73) and eighth in Hitting Percentage (0.265). She was recognized as an ACCC Athlete of the Week for her play in September.

Godwin, of Harvest, ranks second in Service Aces (52), fourth in Service Aces per Set (0.62) and seventh in Total Attacks (538).

Brothers was especially complementary of freshmen setters Phillips and Manley.

"I feel like our two setters have been a constant in our game," Brothers said. "They are both level headed and provide calm leadership offensively.  Both are different types of setters and have different things in which they excel. Gracie is more of an offensive setter, and Lainie is better at the quicker sets.   They are both willing to do whatever is best for the team."

Manley, of Addison, is fourth in Assists (440), 11^th in Assists per Set (4.68), fifth in Service Aces (43) and ninth in Service Aces per Set (0.46). Like DeVine, Manley was also honored as an ACCC Athlete of the Week in September.

Phillips ranks eighth in Assists (370), 13^th in Assists per Set (3.85) and eighth in Service Aces (33).

The Lady Parsons are scheduled to be back in action Wednesday, Oct. 4, at Plunkett Wallace Gymnasium where they'll host Shorter University at 2 p.m. and Enterprise State at 5 p.m. Admission to all Snead State Athletics home events is free thanks to Howard Bentley Buick GMC of Albertville.

Learn more about Lady Parsons Volleyball at www.sneadathletics.com.