Posted: Aug 19, 2021

Lady Bulldogs' season opener is Friday at Millsaps

Holmes sophomore Abbi Russell returns for her sophomore campaign to help lead the Lady Bulldogs into the 2021 season. Holmes has won two straight MACCC and Region XXIII titles and finished runner-up in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament just a few months ago.

The two-time defending MACCC and NJCAA Region XXIII Champion Holmes Community College Lady Bulldogs will begin their season on Friday, Aug. 20 at Millsaps College at 6:30 p.m.

The Lady Bulldogs return 13 players from last year's team that also claimed the NJCAA South District Championship and were NJCAA Division II Runner-Up in the National Tournament just a few months ago. Wesley Noble, who had previously served as the associate head coach for the last five years, is now the head coach.

Returning players include: defenders, Mia Aviles (Collinsville, West Lauderdale), Maddie Leber, Wilmington, N.C., Hoggard, N.C.), Madelyn Polk (Edwards, Warren Central) and Abbi Russell (Brandon, Northwest Rankin); goalkeeper, Layken Stockstill (Vicksburg, Warren Central); midfielders, Laniee Chandler (Southaven, Southaven), Olivia Deslatte (Madison, Madison Central), Londyn Dorsey (Jackson, Jackson Academy), Jordan Patrick (Florence, Florence) and Savannah Turner (Madison, Madison Central); and forwards, Kaci Craft (Clinton, Clinton), Kayley Holloway (Gulfport, Gulfport) and Ravynne Wilson (Meridian, Clarkdale).

Last season, Wilson was named NJCAA Second Team All-American and was a member of the NJCAA Region XXIII Team along with Deslatte. All-MACCC selections were Laniee Chandler, Mia Aviles, Kaci Craft, First Team; and Savannah Turner, Second Team. Deslatte was also named a United Soccer Coaches Players of Distinction.

Newcomers include: defenders, Karlie Brooks (Starkville, Starkville), Lydia Hutcherson (Meridian, Lamar), Hollyn Oswalt (Clinton, Clinton), K'lee Pittman (Brandon, Brandon), Rylee Braden (Olive Branch, Lewisburg) and Avery Treloar (Oxford, Lafayette County); forwards, Darian Blackburn (Vestavia Hills, Ala., Vestavia Hills, Ala.), Jaelyn Hanson (Brandon, Northwest Rankin), Katelin Johnson (Oxford, Lafayette County), Callie McKinney (Flowood, Jackson Prep), Sydney Nester (Walker, La., Walker, La.) and Shelby Thomas (Petal, Home School); goalkeeper, Avery Belden (Brandon, Brandon); and midfielders, Falon Lawrence (Brandon, Home School), Mia Mauro (Gulf Breeze, Fla., Gulf Breeze, Fla.) and Abbey Roberts (Brandon, Brandon).

The remaining playing dates are:

Tue., Aug. 24, at Southwest, 2 p.m.
Fri. Aug. 27, at Pearl River, 5 p.m.
Tue. Aug. 31, at Meridian, 5 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 7, vs. Co-Lin, 1 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 14, vs. Hinds, 1 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 17, at Itawamba, 2 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 21, at East Central, 1 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 24, vs. Northwest, 1 p.m.
Tue., Sept. 28, at Jones, 5 p.m.
Tue., Oct. 5, at Gulf Coast, 5 p.m.
Sat., Oct. 9, at Southwestern Illinois College, 2 p.m.
Sun., Oct. 10, at St. Louis Community College, noon
Fri., Oct. 15, at Hinds, 5 p.m.
Tue., Oct. 19, vs. Itawamba, 1 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 22, vs. East Central, 1 p.m.
Tue., Oct. 26, at Northwest, 1 p.m.