USA South Decade Athletes of the Week - Week 9 (Oct. 27-Nov. 2)
From the USA South Athletic Conference
In the absence of competition in the fall semester and its postponement to the spring semester, the USA South Athletic Conference will continue selecting athletes of the week. The selections, however, will not be based on current competition but instead the nominees will be those who earned an athlete of the week honor in a particular category within the current week over the past decade. Only athletes from current USA South institutions shall be eligible for selection. On to the Week 9 Decade Athletes of the Week...
FOOTBALL
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Max Reber, Methodist (October 28, 2013) - The junior quarterback from St. Augustine, Florida broke two school records and tied two USA South records in a 43-41 win over USA South foe LaGrange. Reber set Methodist records for passing yards in a game (452 yards) and passing touchdowns in a contest (five). The five passing scores ties the USA South single-game mark. Reber also carried the ball 19 times for 72 yards and a touchdown, giving him six total touchdowns in the game which tied the Conference single-game record. Also Nominated: Jacob Bunch, Maryville (10/28/19); Adrian Minondo, N.C. Wesleyan (10/29/18); Elijah Chenier, Maryville (10/31/16); Kelly Hall, Averett (11/2/15).
Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Adrian Minondo, N.C. Wesleyan (November 2, 2015) - The freshman running back from Okeechobee, Florida rushed for a new single-game program record 278 yards with four touchdowns in a 56-51 victory over USA South foe Averett. Minondo ran the ball 38 times for an average of 7.3 yards per attempt and missed tying the single-game conference rushing record by seven yards. Also Nominated: Brandon Bullins, Methodist (10/28/19); Dalton Cole, Brevard (10/29/18); Brandon Thompson, N.C. Wesleyan (10/30/17); Gregory Clifton, Greensboro (10/27/14); Malik Adams, N.C. Wesleyan (10/28/13); Ke'Von White, Averett (10/31/11); Jordan Vann, N.C. Wesleyan (11/1/10).
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Allen Stallings, Greensboro (October 31, 2011) - The Manteo, North Carolina senior linebacker set a new program record for single-game tackles in a 27-22 loss to USA South foe Christopher Newport. Stallings accumulated 26 total tackles, 14 of which were solo take downs. He totaled two tackles for a loss of seven yards and forced two fumbles in the defeat. Also Nominated: Peyton DeFleron, Huntingdon (10/28/19); Quentin Jackson, Brevard (10/29/18); Bradley Jefferson, Averett (10/30/17); Jamal Forney, Averett (10/31/16); Jake Green, Huntingdon (11/2/15); T.J. Bulock, LaGrange (10/27/14); Dylan Wolfenbarger, Maryville (10/28/13); Bryan Bing, Methodist (10/29/12); Maurice Sheffield, Maryville (11/1/10).
Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Ahmaud Taylor, Huntingdon (October 29, 2018) - The Brewton, Alabama freshman defensive back tied for the team-high in tackles with five while adding an interception as well as a fumble return for a touchdown in a 45-0 victory over USA South foe Greensboro. Taylor notched three solo tackles and two assisted take downs in the win. His fumble return for a touchdown came in the first quarter to extend the Hawk lead to 35 points. Also Nominated: Rook Tate, Brevard (10/28/19); Keyon Washington, N.C. Wesleyan (10/30/17); Ronnie Beatty, Averett (10/31/16); Franchez Marshall, Maryville (11/2/15); T.J. Bulock, LaGrange (10/27/14); James Blackshell, Methodist (10/28/13); Jonathan Clark, Maryville (10/29/12); Kendyhl Rodgers, Maryville (10/31/11).
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Cody Ausherman, Methodist (October 27, 2014) - The Kissimmee, Florida senior place kicker connected on all five of his field goal attempts, including the game-winner in double overtime, in a 42-39 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Ausherman was true on attempts from 29, 41, 43, 42 and 39. The 43-yarder sent the game into overtime and the 39-yarder was the game-winner. Also Nominated: Bobby Haggerty, Methodist (10/28/19); Cole Westberry, Averett (10/29/18); Cole Westberry, Averett (10/30/17); Malik Adams, N.C. Wesleyan (10/31/16); Travis Jones, Averett (11/2/15); Logan Winders, Maryville (10/28/13); Cody Ausherman, Methodist (10/29/12); Andrew Noboa, Maryville (10/31/11); Dwayne Hollis, N.C. Wesleyan (11/1/10).
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Josh Brower, Covenant (October 28, 2019) - The senior forward/midfielder from Birmingham, Alabama tallied three goals and one assist in a 3-0 week for the Scots against USA South competition as Covenant finished off an unblemished (13-0-0) League record and captured the West Division title. In a 2-0 win over Brevard, Brower was in on both Scot goals as he assisted on the first and scored the second. In a 3-2, overtime, win at Greensboro, Brower scored in the 82nd minute to tie the game. Finally, in a 2-1 victory over William Peace, Brower scored Covenant's first goal in the 12th minute. Also Nominated: Randy Reichenberger, Maryville (10/29/18); Sheriff Secka, N.C. Wesleyan (10/30/17); Tim Baker, Maryville (11/2/15); Snoopy Davidson, Covenant (10/27/14); Eric McGinnis, Methodist (10/28/13); Clayton Newton, Methodist (10/31/11); Javier Castrillo, N.C. Wesleyan (11/1/10).
Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Ryan Jorgensen, Maryville (October 29, 2018) - The senior goalkeeper from Maryville, Tennessee posted a shutout in a 1-0, double-overtime, win over USA South foe William Peace in the team's only match. In 105 minutes in goal, Jorgensen stopped all three shots he faced to help the Scots clinch the USA South West Division Championship. Also Nominated: Jack Holden, N.C. Wesleyan (10/28/19); Jordan Williams, N.C. Wesleyan (10/30/17); Hayden Puryear, Maryville (11/2/15); Martin Erenstedt, Averett (10/27/14); Leifur Kristjansson, N.C. Wesleyan (10/28/13); Nate Barker, Averett (10/29/12); Kyle Beach, Methodist (11/1/10).
Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Eric McGinnis, Methodist (November 1, 2010) - The freshman forward from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania scored four goals in a 2-0 week versus USA South competition for the Monarchs. In a 5-0 win over Greensboro, McGinnis tallied a hat trick with goals in the 18th, 67th and 68th minutes. In a 2-0 win over Ferrum, McGinnis notched the eventual game-winning goal in the 17th minute. Also Nominated: Blake Webb, LaGrange (10/28/19); Kellen Fees, Averett (10/29/18); Jake Major, Covenant (10/30/17); Haakan Wahlstrom, Methodist (11/2/15); Asa Britten, Greensboro (10/27/14); Daniel Kamden, N.C. Wesleyan (10/28/13); Tyler McLemore, Greensboro (10/29/12); Nathan Brown, Averett (10/31/11).
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Meredith Manson, Pfeiffer (October 28, 2019) - The Auburndale, Florida junior defender scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over USA South foe Greensboro, which clinched the first team championship in any sport for Pfeiffer since joining the Conference. The Falcons captured the Eastern Division title thanks to Manson tallying the game's lone goal in the 22nd minute as she came up from the back for a corner kick. The victory was Pfeiffer's lone game of the week. Also Nominated: Sara Snotherly, Methodist (11/2/15); Rebecca Staylor, N.C. Wesleyan (10/27/14); Ashley Howarth, Maryville (10/28/13); Mathilda Hansson, Averett (10/29/12).
Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Vanessa Batchelor, N.C. Wesleyan (November 2, 2015) - The Nashville, North Carolina senior goalkeeper led the Bishops to a scoreless draw with USA South Regular Season Champion Meredith in the team's only regular season contest of the week. Batchelor stopped all nine shots she faced in the 110 minute affair. Also Nominated: Kaley Hyatt, Pfeiffer (10/28/19); Elizabeth Gale, Piedmont (10/27/14); Kelsey Schaffernoth, Piedmont (10/28/13); Malin Borjesson, Averett (10/29/12); Katie Allegro, Greensboro (11/1/10).
Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Christy Barton, Covenant (October 27, 2014) - The Franklin, North Carolina freshman defensive midfielder helped the Scots to a 2-0 record versus USA South competition by scoring one game-winning goal. In a 2-1 victory over Averett, Barton notched a score in the 79th minute which proved to be the game-winner. In a 7-0 victory over William Peace, Barton helped the defense pitch a shutout. Also Nominated: Myah Johnson, Agnes Scott (10/28/19); Skye Gunn, Averett (11/2/15); Meredith McCarty, Meredith (10/28/13); Malin Borjesson, Averett (10/29/12); Rachel Didier, Meredith (10/31/11).
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball Player of the Week
Amy Tyma, Huntingdon (October 28, 2019) - The junior middle hitter from Cleveland, Ohio averaged 5.50 kills, with a .423 hitting percentage, 5.90 digs and 1.00 service aces per set and tallied three double-doubles as the Hawks posted a 3-0 record. In a 3-1 win over Pensacola Christian, Tyma totaled 20 kills, 28 digs, six service aces and two blocks. In a 3-0 victory over USA South foe Brevard, Tyma posted 18 kills, 16 digs and four service aces. Finally, in a 3-0 victory over USA South rival Piedmont, Tyma tallied 17 kills and 15 digs. Also Nominated: Brienna Laskowski, William Peace (10/29/18); Hannah Shields, Averett (10/30/17); Hannah Shields, Averett (10/31/16); Taylor Cramsey, Piedmont (11/2/15); Karlie Long, Meredith (10/27/14); Kelsey Handel, Maryville (10/28/13); Lauren Naugle, William Peace (10/29/12); Anna Hart, N.C. Wesleyan (10/31/11); Jalesty Washington, Methodist (11/1/10).
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Christina Huber, N.C. Wesleyan (October 31, 2016) - The senior defensive specialist from Virginia Beach, Virginia did all she could in an 0-2 week for the Bishops versus USA South competition as she averaged 8.57 digs per set. In a 3-0 loss to Meredith, Huber totaled 20 digs and two assists. In a 3-1 loss to Greensboro, Huber notched 40 digs, two assists and one service ace. Also Nominated: Bergin Gillespie, William Peace (10/28/19); Lauren Phillips, Meredith (10/29/18); Carson Williams, William Peace (10/30/17); Haley Hixon, Piedmont (11/2/15); Carson Williams, William Peace (10/27/14); Maddie Irvin, William Peace (10/28/13); Paige Aaron, Averett (10/31/11); Hillary McPhatter, Methodist (11/1/10).
Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Lauren Montren, Averett (October 28, 2019) - The freshman outside hitter from Creedmoor, North Carolina averaged 4.00 kills and 4.27 digs per set and tallied three double-doubles as the Cougars posted a 3-1 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-2 win over Salem, Montren notched 13 kills, 18 digs and one service ace. In a 3-0 victory over Mary Baldwin, Montren posted 12 kills, 14 digs, three service aces and one assist. In a 3-0 victory over Pfeiffer, Montren contributed 14 kills, seven digs and one service ace. Finally, in a 3-1 loss to William Peace, Montren tallied 21 kills, 25 digs and one service ace. Also Nominated: Meredith Bonee, Maryville (10/29/18); Rhianna Tyldesley, Maryville (10/30/17); Taylor Moulton, Salem (10/31/16); Keenan Marks, Averett (11/2/15); Hannah Shields, Averett (10/27/14); Karlie Long, Meredith (10/28/13); Lauren Naugle, William Peace (10/29/12); Dana Sandknop, Greensboro (11/1/10).
MEN'S GOLF
Men's Co-Golfers of the Week
Brandon Grogan, Averett (October 30, 2013) - The senior from Martinsville, Virginia finished second at the O'Briant-Jensen Memorial Tournament in Greensboro, North Carolina by shooting a three-over par 143. In the two-day event, Grogan opened with a three-under par 67 and finished with a six-over par 76. His performance helped the Cougars to a ninth place team finish.
Jeff Wells, Methodist (October 29, 2014) - The senior from Redondo Beach, California finished first at the O'Briant-Jensen Memorial at Sedgefield Dye Course in Greensboro, North Carolina by shooting a three-over par 143. In the two-day event, Wells opened with a seven-over par 77 and finished with a four-under par 66. His performance helped the Monarchs to a first place team finish.
Also Nominated: Ben Nihart, Greensboro (10/27/10).
Men's Golf Rookie of the Week
Tristan Lough, Greensboro (October 29, 2014) - The freshman from Elon, North Carolina competed in two tournaments over a two-week period. At the Chick-fil-A Invitational at the Coosa Country Club, Lough placed second by shooting a three-under par 141. In the two-day event, Lough opened with a three-under par 69 and finished with an even par 72. His performance helped The Pride to a seventh place team finish. At the O'Briant-Jensen Memorial at Sedgefield Dye Course in Greensboro, North Carolina, Lough placed tied for third by shooting an eight-over 148. In the two-day event, Lough opened with a six-over par 76 and finished with a two-over par 72. His performance helped The Pride to a fourth place tie team finish. Also Nominated: Osborn Theam, LaGrange (10/30/13); Greg Pappas, Greensboro (10/27/10).