Lady Bulldogs set to defend division, state and region titles

The defending North Division, MACCC and Region XXIII champion Holmes Community College Lady Bulldog soccer team is set to begin the 2021 season on Friday, April 2 at 1 p.m. on the Ridgeland Campus vs. Pearl River.

The season is normally played in the fall but was moved to the spring due to COVID-19. Last season marked the fourth division title in a row for the Lady Bulldogs.

Returning players include: Kennedi Richardson, goalkeeper, Clinton; Carly Williams, goalkeeper, Flowood; Laney Smith, forward, Vicksburg; Laniee Chandler, midfielder, Southaven; Cameron Gladney, midfielder, Clinton; Mackenzie Thompson, midfielder, Pelahatchie; and Cariel Ellis, forward, Madison.

Ellis, who has signed with the University of Arizona for next season, was named 2019 NJCAA All-American, All-Region and Region XXIII Player of the Year while Mackenzie Thompson was named 2019 All-Region and Carly Williams and Laniee Chandler were named MACCC All-State.

Newcomers include: Madelyn Polk, defender, Edwards; Olivia Deslatte, midfielder, Madison; Abbi Russell, defender, Brandon; Kaci Craft, forward, Clinton; Mia Aviles, defender, Collinsville; Jordan Patrick, midfielder, Florence; Rayvnne Wilson, forward, Meridian; Maddie Leber, defender, Wilmington, N.C.; Savannah Turner, midfielder, Madison; Kayley Holloway, forward, Gulfport; Megan Richardson, forward/midfielder, Madison; Angela Parker, defender, Richland; Londyn Dorsey, midfielder, Jackson; Briana Reaser, forward, Byram; Layken Stockstill, goalkeeper, Vicksburg. Russell, Wilson and Stockstill are sophomores while the remaining players are freshmen.

The remaining schedule includes: Gulf Coast, home, April 8, 2 p.m.; Hinds, April 16, home, 1 p.m.; Itawamba, April 20, away, 1 p.m.; East Central, April 23, away, 1 p.m.; Northwest, April 26, home, 4 p.m.; Southwest, May 1, home, 11 a.m.; May 2, Southwestern Ill., home, noon; Hinds, May 4, away, 5 p.m.; Itawamba, May 7, home, 1 p.m.;  East Central, May 11, home, 1 p.m.; and Northwest, May 14, away, 1 p.m.

All of the Mississippi Association of Community Colleges Conference is making a move this season. The MACCC's schools have previously played in Division I, despite using traditional Division II roster constraints. This year, the National Junior College Athletic Association has created a Division II, which will include all of the MACCC. With the move means a new opportunity and road to a potential national championship for the Mississippi programs. Should one of the MACCC's schools make the final 12, the national tournament will be June 3-8. The site is still being determined. The field will initially be broken into four three-team pools and will go from there.

The new Division II classification is comprised of 14 regions from across the country.