USA South Decade Athletes of the Week - Week 10 (November 3-9)
From the USA South Athletic Conference
In the absence of competition in the fall 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 10 Decade Athletes of the Week...
FOOTBALL
Football Offensive Player of the Week
Ryan Throndset, Greensboro (November 4, 2013) - The junior quarterback from Woodbine, Maryland broke three USA South records in a 51-50 loss to USA South foe Maryville. Throndset set single-game Conference records for passing touchdowns, attempts and completions as he was 47-of-70 through the air for 575 yards with six touchdowns. Also Nominated: Jeff Black, N.C. Wesleyan (11/4/19); Jacob Wright, Averett (11/5/18); E'Montie Dears, Methodist (11/7/16); Luke Bailey, Huntingdon (11/9/15); Trenton Shuler, Maryville (11/3/14); Jeremy Dixon, Averett (11/9/10).
Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Melvin Burston, Maryville (November 8, 2011) - The freshman quarterback from Sarasota, Florida accounted for four touchdowns and 436 total yards in a 42-20 win over USA South foe Greensboro. Through the air, Burston was 26-of-36 for 302 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Burston rushed for 134 yards on 18 carries with one touchdown. Also Nominated: Brandon Bullins, Methodist (11/4/19); Caleb Speir, LaGrange (11/5/18); Eric Thomas, Huntingdon (11/6/17); Deandre Gillis, N.C. Wesleyan (11/7/16); Adrian Minondo, N.C. Wesleyan (11/9/15); Travis Jones, Averett (11/3/14); Ervens Oge, LaGrange (11/4/13); Kall Daniel, Greensboro (11/9/10).
Football Defensive Player of the Week
Antonio Johnson, N.C. Wesleyan (November 4, 2019) - The Beaufort, North Carolina senior linebacker totaled a season-high 17 tackles, four of which were for a loss, a forced fumble and an interception in a 48-24 win over USA South rival Methodist. Johnson had nine solo tackles and eight assisted take downs and returned his interception 72 yards to set up a Battling Bishop touchdown. Also Nominated: Dejon Brooks, Averett (11/5/18); Dejon Brooks, Averett (11/6/17); Trey Hayes, Huntingdon (11/7/16); Micah McMaster, Greensboro (11/9/15); William Heiligethaler, Greensboro (11/3/14); Brian Green, Greensboro (11/9/10).
Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Travonne Marshall, N.C. Wesleyan (November 4, 2013) - The Tarboro, North Carolina freshman defensive back recorded a team-high seven total tackles and two interceptions in a 33-16 win over USA South foe Ferrum. Marshall tallied six solo tackles and one assisted take down while returning his two interceptions for a total of 15 yards. Also Nominated: Casey Peppers, Huntingdon (11/4/19); Colby Manis, Maryville (11/5/18); Linell Tarver, Huntingdon (11/6/17); Brandon Williams, Huntingdon (11/7/16); Trevor Campbell, N.C. Wesleyan (11/9/15); Anthony Janezic, N.C. Wesleyan (11/3/14); Gabe Johnson, Maryville (11/5/12); Kendyhl Rodgers, Maryville (11/8/11); Tazmon Foster, N.C. Wesleyan (11/9/10).
Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Chase Young, Huntingdon (November 5, 2018) - The senior place kicker from Covington, Georgia accounted for 14 points on three field goals and five point-after-touchdowns in a 50-29 win over USA South rival N.C. Wesleyan. Young was a perfect 3-for-3 on field goals which new makes him the Conference's all-time leader in made kicks. His long on the day, 42-yards, tied a career-best effort. Also Nominated: Kevin Alford, N.C. Wesleyan (11/4/19); Cole Westberry, Averett (11/6/17); Ethan Williams, Maryville (11/7/16); Chase Bailey, Averett (11/9/15); Max Reber, Methodist (11/8/11); Rodney Beasley, Greensboro (11/9/10).
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Nathan Brown, Averett (November 3, 2014) - The senior forward from Sydney, Australia tallied two goals, including the eventual game-winner, in a 4-1 victory over USA South for William Peace in the final regular season contest. Brown tallied goals in the 40th and 45th minutes. Also Nominated: Rhett Williams, Huntingdon (11/4/13).
Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
No Nominations
Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
No Nominations
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Sandra Johansson, Averett (November 4, 2013) - The Gothenburg, Sweden senior midfielder/forward tallied two goals and two assists for six points in a 4-2 win over USA South rival William Peace in the team's lone contest. Johansson had a hand in each of the Cougars' four goals as she assisted on the first and third Averett goals while scoring the second and four tallies. Also Nominated: Julia Ritcey, Averett (11/3/14).
Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Josie Byard, Huntingdon (November 4, 2013) - The Dothan, Alabama sophomore goalkeeper helped the Hawks to a scoreless, double-overtime, tie versus USA South foe LaGrange in the team's only action. Byard stopped all 11 shots she faced to help force the 0-0 draw. Also Nominated: Sarah Hovis, N.C. Wesleyan (11/3/14).
Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Julia Ritcey, Averett (November 3, 2014) - The Apex, North Carolina freshman forward tallied two goals, including the eventual game-winner, in a 3-0 victory over USA South foe William Peace in the team's final regular season contest. Ritcey scored the first two goals of the match. Also Nominated: Lauren Greeson, Greensboro (11/4/13).
VOLLEYBALL
Volleyball Player of the Week
Allison Sparks, Averett (November 4, 2013) - The senior outside hitter from Ruffin, North Carolina averaged 5.4 kills, a .261 hitting percentage, and 2.4 digs per set as the Cougars posted a 3-0 record. In a 3-0 win over USA South foe Greensboro, Sparks recorded 16 kills, four digs, one assist and one service ace. In a 3-1 victory over Bridgewater, Sparks notched a double-double of 20 kills and 11 digs with three service aces, two assists and one block. Finally in a 3-1 win over Virginia Wesleyan, Sparks tallied a double-double of 23 kills and 11 digs with one service ace. Also Nominated: Meredith Bonee, Maryville (11/4/19); Karlie Long, Meredith (11/3/14).
Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Lauren Phillips, Meredith (November 4, 2019) - The junior defensive specialist from Greenville, North Carolina averaged 6.13 and 1.50 assists per set as the Avenging Angels posted a 1-1 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-1 loss to William Peace, Phillips totaled 28 digs and seven assists. In a 3-1 win over Salem, Phillips posted 21 digs and five assists. Also Nominated: Christina Huber, N.C. Wesleyan (11/3/14); Katie Faith, Piedmont (11/4/13).
Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Ginny Moore, Covenant (November 3, 2014) - The freshman outside hitter from Fort Myers, Florida averaged 4.6 kills and 4.6 digs per set as the Scots posted a 3-0 record. In a 3-2 win over Sewanee, Moore contributed a double-double of 27 kills and 30 digs to go along with four service aces and three assists. In a 3-0 win over USA South foe LaGrange, Moore notched a double-double of 11 kills and 14 digs with two service aces. Finally in a 3-0 victory over Huntingdon, Moore totaled 13 kills, seven digs, two assists and two service aces. Also Nominated: Jess Chesrown, Covenant (11/4/19); Tori Stewart, N.C. Wesleyan (11/4/13).