Overby, Coppini, Laudicina and Creel named USA South Athletes of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. – Four Huntingdon student-athletes were recognized as USA South Athletic Conference Athletes of the Week on Monday.  

Sophomore Tri Overby was named Player of the Week for baseball, sophomore Morgan Coppini was recognized as Defensive Player of the Week for women's lacrosse, freshman Kailey Laudicina was chosen as Rookie of the Week for women's lacrosse and Madeline Creel was selected as Rookie of the Week for women's tennis.

This is the conference's second recognition of the spring for baseball and the first recognition of the spring for women's lacrosse and women's tennis. Overby is the second Huntingdon baseball player to be recognized in as many weeks. Coppini and Laudicina are the first Huntingdon women's lacrosse players to be recognized since 2017.

Overby was recognized for his performance in Huntingdon's eight-inning, 16-6 win over Lynchburg in the Five Points Deli Tournament on Saturday. Overby was 6-for-6 with three runs and an RBI in the win. Through four games this season, Overby leads Huntingdon with a .529 batting average and nine hits and is third with four runs scored.

Coppini and Laudicina were recognized for their performances in a 13-1 win over Dallas on Feb. 8 and a 14-5 win over Sweet Briar this past Saturday. The two helped Huntingdon start the season 2-0 for just the second time in program history and the first time since 2013.

Coppini recorded 12 saves, five goals allowed, five ground balls and three caused turnovers in the two games. Coppini currently leads the USA South in save percentage (70.6), goals allowed (five) and goals allowed per game (3.33)

Coppini played goalie for 30 minutes against Dallas, finished with two saves, zero goals allowed, two caused turnovers and two ground balls in helping the Hawks set a program record with one goal allowed in the game. Against Sweet Briar, Coppini had 10 saves, five goals allowed, three ground balls and one caused turnover in 60 minutes.

Laudicina accounted for 11 goals, one assist, four ground balls and three caused turnovers in her first two collegiate games. Her 11 goals came on 18 total shots. Through two games, Laudicina is ranked second in the USA South in goals scored and points (12).

Laudicina opened the season with five goals, an assist, one ground ball and one caused turnover against Dallas. She finished with six goals, three ground balls and two caused turnovers against Sweet Briar.

Creel began her collegiate career with two singles victories and two doubles victories in the Hawks' 6-1 win over Fort Valley State and 5-2 win over Albany State. Against Fort Valley State, Creel won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 singles and teamed with Allison Stegall for a 6-0 victory at No. 2 doubles. In the win over Albany State, Creel won 6-3, 7-5 at No. 2 singles and teamed with Lucy Burch for a 6-2 win at No. 2 doubles.

To view the entire list of USA South Athletes of the Week, click here.