By Justin Fedich | The Selma Times-Journal

The Selma Saints are only two matches into the season, but head coach Melissa White said she already sees plenty of growth in her young team.

Selma (1-1) defeated Greenville (0-2) at home Monday 25-20, 25-14, 25-10. White said the Saints’ three-set shutout was a result of a more confident team than the one that opened the season with a loss at Isabella Thursday.

“I saw a lot more energy, a lot more aggression, a lot more confidence,” White said.

While Selma dominated most of the match, the Saints faced a 5-1 deficit early in the first set. Freshman Ka’nesha McGraw won five straight points off her serve to give Selma a 9-6 lead.

A strong block from sophomore Victoria Riley gave Selma a 14-10 lead. Riley served out the final two points of the set to lead her team to a 25-20 victory.

Riley, the team captain, gave the Saints the energy boost they needed Monday to stay in control of the match. She was quick to celebrate and congratulate her teammates after good plays.

“She brings energy and if there’s positive energy, that’s what I’m looking for,” White said.

Selma faced an early deficit again in the second set, but the Saints quickly climbed out of it.

Junior Pretrice Hopkins served four straight points to tie the set after trailing 6-2.

A strong hit by sophomore Karijia Steele kept Selma within striking distance and a serve from freshman Brittany Johnson gave the Saints their first lead of the set at 11-10.

Sophomore Chasity Jones subbed in and extended the lead by serving six straight points to give Selma a 17-10 advantage.

Two strong hits from Riley gave Selma a 10-point lead at 22-12.

Junior Alashya Manuel ended the second set with two straight serves to win 25-14.

Manuel proceeded to win the next eight points off her serve to open the third set.

Manuel’s first two serves of the third set were aces and the Saints were eyeing their first win of the season with an 8-0 lead. White said Manuel’s poise at the service line was crucial to Selma finishing what it started.

“You have to be able to finish when you have the opportunity,” White said.

With a 10-4 lead, McGraw served two straight aces en route to opening a 15-4 lead with five straight serves.

Riley gave the Saints a 24-9 lead with three serves of her own, and Selma finished soon after with a 25-10 victory.  White was proud of her team’s growth, but she still saw weaknesses the team needs to work on.

“They still have to work on the miscommunication,” White said. “They can’t use the lack of experience as an excuse.”

White was also impressed with the improved effort of Selma’s junior varsity team. The junior varsity Saints (1-1) beat Greenville (0-2) 25-21, 25-11.

“JV did a lot better today,” White said. “Lakira Fails did an exceptional job.”

Selma travels to Montgomery Thursday at 4 p.m. to face Lee and Lanier in a tri-match.