USA South Athletes of the Week - March 8, 2021

From the USA South Athletic Conference

FOOTBALL

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Brandon Bullins, Methodist - The sophomore quarterback from Kernersville, North Carolina passed for 376 yards and three touchdowns as the Monarchs defeated Greensboro, 48-14, last week. Bullins was 24-of-35 through the air and accumulated the most passing yards in a game by a Methodist quarterback since the 2014 season. Also Nominated: Cale Matthews, Greensboro; Justin Pendergrass, Brevard; Chase Nixon, Averett.

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Eli Carr, Brevard - The freshman quarterback from Asheville, North Carolina made his collegiate debut and passed for 212 yards with one touchdown in a come-from-behind win over Averett, 19-10, last week. Carr was 24-of-32 through the air and averaged 6.6 yards per attempt. Also Nominated: Johnny Alston, Averett.

Football Defensive Player of the Week 
Casey Peppers, Huntingdon - The Panama City Beach, Florida sophomore linebacker recorded nine total tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery and one interception as the Hawks defeated USA South foe Brevard, 26-18 to open the season. Peppers' fumble recovery came in the third quarter and helped setup a Huntingdon field goal while his interception occurred on Brevard's final drive of the game to seal the win. Also Nominated: Da'Shaun Wallace, Greensboro; Joc Pledger, Brevard; Khalil Patterson, Methodist; Tristin Quick, Averett.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Malik Hargrove, Greensboro - The freshman defensive back from Warrenton, North Carolina totaled a team-high 11 total tackles in a 48-14 loss to Methodist last week. Hargrove accumulated seven solo tackles and four assisted take downs. Also Nominated: Bryce Easter, Brevard; Bryce Jordan, Methodist.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Cole Starr, Huntingdon - The junior place kicker from Pelham, Alabama made all four of his field goals and two extra points in a 26-18 win over USA South foe Brevard to open the season. Starr's longest field goal was from 32-yards out as he totaled 14 points for the Hawks. Also Nominated: Deaven Hawkins, Greensboro; Will Caviness, Averett.

MEN'S SOCCER

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Vinicius Giannaccini, Brevard - The Jacarei, Brazil sophomore forward was in on all three goals for the Tornados in a 3-0 victory over USA South foe Berea, the only contest last week for Brevard. Giannaccini opened the scoring in the 21st minute with the eventual game winning goal. He then assisted on a goal in the 53rd minute before scoring an insurance goal in the 70th minute. Also Nominated: Anthony Calbo, Covenant; Caleb Platillero, Maryville; Darli Mihindou, Greensboro; Ian Addison, Piedmont; Blake Webb, LaGrange; Erik Blick, Averett; Caz Dabrowski, Pfeiffer; Kelan LeBlanc, Huntingdon.

Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
Tobias Borzel, N.C. Wesleyan - The Litzendorf, Germany junior goalkeeper stopped all six shots he faced in a scoreless, double-overtime, draw with Division I College of Charleston, the only contest last week for N.C. Wesleyan. Also Nominated: Noah Putman, Maryville; Colton Dutchess, Averett; Henry Hooks, Covenant; Jacob Smith, William Peace.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Jorge Lemus, William Peace - The El Mora, El Salvador freshman forward scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0, double-overtime, victory over USA South foe Averett, the only contest last week for William Peace. In the 106th minute, Lemus was taken down inside the box by a defender and was awarded a penalty kick which he buried into the back of the net. Also Nominated: Kade Theunissen, Covenant; Wendel Lima, Brevard; Alex Sonner, Maryville; Ricardo Ruiz, Piedmont; Rion Klaas, Averett.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Kaylee King, Piedmont - The Loganville, Georgia sophomore forward totaled two goals and one assist as the Lions posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South competition. In a 2-0 win over LaGrange, King assisted on the second goal of the game in the 66th minute. In a 7-0 victory over Berea, King opened the scoring with the eventual game-winning goal in the seventh minute before adding another tally 18 minutes later. Also Nominated: Cheyenne Ferrin, Methodist; Jenna Clothier, Maryville; Amelie Gillies, Meredith; Paige Simons Pettit, Covenant; Jenifer Silva, Averett; Dayanna Riera, Pfeiffer; Madison Stace, N.C. Wesleyan; Sallie Riggan, Brevard; Kirstin Hayes, Huntingdon.

Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
Maggie Wilson, Maryville - The Knoxville, Tennessee junior defender helped the Scots post a shutout in each of the team's three games last week, all against USA South opposition. Maryville held Covenant, Agnes Scott and Wesleyan to a total of two shots on goal. In a 12-0 victory over Agnes Scott, Wilson assisted on the eventual game-winning goal in the fifth minute. Also Nominated: Rebeccah Rojas, Brevard; Sarah Fisher, Piedmont; Emily Haynes, Meredith; Jada Lyons, Averett; Lucy Sandhoff, Covenant; Alicia Jacobs, N.C. Wesleyan.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Claire-Emma Britt, Meredith - The Wilmington, North Carolina freshman defender helped anchor an Avenging Angel back line which shutout USA South rival William Peace, 1-0, in the only contest last week for Meredith. It is just the second time this season that William Peace has been held scoreless. Also Nominated: Katie O'Brien, Maryville; Gabbie Hayes, Piedmont; Samantha Casey, Averett; Chloe Johnson, Pfeiffer; Tae Brown, Brevard.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Player of the Week
McKenzie Richards, LaGrange - The junior outside hitter from Loganville, Georgia averaged 4.50 kills, 4.50 digs and 1.00 service aces per set as the Panthers defeated USA South foe Berea, 3-1, in the only contest last week for LaGrange. In the win, Richards totaled a double-double of 18 kills and 18 digs to go along with four service aces and one block. Also Nominated: Sara Delk, Covenant; Carly Uhlir, Greensboro; Raley Shirey, Brevard; Megan Andrews, Methodist; Rhianna Tyldesley, Maryville; Ally Copenhaver, Meredith; Alonna Clouse, Pfeiffer; McKenzie Miller, Averett; Brienna Laskowski, William Peace; Amy Tyma, Huntingdon; Rachel Christian, Mary Baldwin; Adrienne Roberts, Berea.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Bre Dufault, LaGrange - The sophomore defensive specialist from Naples, Florida averaged 7.50 digs and 1.0 service aces per set as the Panthers defeated USA South foe Berea, 3-1, in the only contest last week for LaGrange. In the win, Dufault totaled 30 digs, four service aces and three assists. Also Nominated: Lauren Mantel, Greensboro; Caitlin Hagarty, Brevard; Maddie Barga, Methodist; Natalie Watts, Maryville; Lauren Phillips, Meredith; Erin Gray, Averett; Abby Benton, William Peace; Morgan Ilsley, Huntingdon; Rachel Christian, Mary Baldwin; Fabiana De'Jesus, Berea. 

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Rachel Bartlett, Covenant - The freshman setter from Dover, Florida averaged 7.00 assists, 1.67 digs and 1.17 kills per set as the Scots have posted a 2-0 record to begin the season. In a 3-1 win over Mississippi University for Women, Bartlett totaled 32 assists, nine digs, seven kills and three blocks. In a 3-0 victory over USA South foe Wesleyan, Barlett, in just two sets, posted ten assists and one dig. Also Nominated: Lauren Mantel, Greensboro; Kaitlyn Pressley, Brevard; Hannah Hewett, Methodist; Lauren Bissette, Meredith; Jessica Leshko, Pfeiffer; Erin Gray, Averett; Sloan Martin, N.C. Wesleyan; Landis Limon, William Peace; Addie Jacobs, Huntingdon; Sydney Clarke, Mary Baldwin; Deanna De La Torre, Berea; Journey Oden, LaGrange.

BASEBALL

Baseball Player of the Week
Davie Morgan, N.C. Wesleyan - The sophomore second baseman from Pinetops, North Carolina went a combined 7-for-13 (.538) with a .538 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage to go along with two runs scored, six RBI, two doubles, two triples and one stolen base as the Battling Bishops took two out of three games against second-ranked Randolph-Macon in the only games last week for N.C. Wesleyan. In the series-clinching game, Morgan was 3-for-5 with one run scored, two RBI, two doubles and one triple. Also Nominated: Tyler Moore, Covenant; Carter Ballstadt, Piedmont; Rob Wilkerson, Methodist; Jake Brown, Pfeiffer; Ryan Traylor, Averett; Jack Layrisson, LaGrange; Cullen Stafford, Huntingdon.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Andrew Tan, William Peace - The junior from Concord, North Carolina tossed six and two-thirds scoreless innings in his only appearance for the Pacers last week, a 6-0 win over Averett. Tan allowed three hits and two walks with six strikeouts. Also Nominated: Derrick Carter, N.C. Wesleyan; Sam Carpenter, Piedmont; William St. Leger, Methodist; Jacob Landis, Pfeiffer; Avery Spicer, Averett.

Baseball Rookie of the Week
Tyson Bass, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman third baseman from Wilson, North Carolina went a combined 4-for-11 (.364) with a .500 on-base percentage and a .636 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, one run batted in, one home run and three walks as the Battling Bishops took two out of three games against second-ranked Randolph-Macon in the only games last week for N.C. Wesleyan. In the series-opening win, he got his team off on the right foot as he smacked a leadoff home run. Also Nominated: Brayden Brooks, Piedmont; Hunter Hollman, Methodist; Logan Albertson, Averett.

Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Thad Lewis, Pfeiffer - The freshman from Greenville, North Carolina earned his first collegiate win as he tossed five shutout innings in his only appearance for the Lions last week, a 12-5 win over Methodist. Lewis allowed just one hit and one walk while striking out six. Also Nominated: Zach Tolleson, Covenant; Daniel Thompson, N.C. Wesleyan; Tyler Roon, Piedmont; Ethan Caldwell, Methodist; Thad Lewis, Pfeiffer; Shane Michel, Averett.

SOFTBALL

Softball Player of the Week
Logan Winstead, N.C. Wesleyan - The sophomore outfielder from Raleigh, North Carolina was a perfect 7-for-7 (1.000) with a 1.000 on-base percentage and a 1.000 slugging percentage in a doubleheader sweep of Carolina University, the only contests last week for N.C. Wesleyan. Winstead totaled eight runs scored, three RBI, three walks and four stolen bases in the two wins. Also Nominated: Jordan Deaton, Greensboro; Taylor Hannah, Brevard; Katelyn Perry, Piedmont; Taylor Campbell, Maryville; Bethany Junker, Methodist; Alyssa Drake, Meredith; Anna Coleman, Averett; Jordan Holman, Covenant; Taylor Parrish, Pfeiffer; Madison Powell, Wesleyan.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Martina Maloch, Piedmont - The junior from Locust Grove, Georgia tossed a complete-game shutout in her only appearance in the circle for the Lions last week, a 1-0 win over Division II Emmanuel. Maloch allowed just two hits over the seven innings with zero walks and three strikeouts. Also Nominated: Cheyanne Cox, Greensboro; Kaitlynn Farmer, Brevard; Kaitlyn Aherron, Averett; Lauren Kierpa, Covenant; Ashlyn Kennedy, Pfeiffer; Beth Braswell, N.C. Wesleyan.

Softball Rookie of the Week
Vanessa Davis, Covenant - The freshman outfielder from St. Cloud, Florida was a combined 6-for-12 (.500) with a .571 on-base percentage and a .833 slugging percentage to go along with two runs scored, four RBI, one double, one home run and one walk as the Scots posted a 3-1 record last week. In a doubleheader split with Sewanee, Davis was a combined 1-for-6. In a doubleheader sweep of Wesleyan, Davis was a combined 5-for-6 with two runs scored, four RBI, one double, one home run and one walk. Also Nominated: Ivy Ray, Greensboro; Kara Taylor, Piedmont; Sarah Manis, Meredith; Chloe Horton, Averett; Bailey Caldwell, Wesleyan.

Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Emma McBrayer, Piedmont - The freshman from Powder Springs, Georgia tossed a complete-game shutout in her only appearance in the circle for the Lions last week, a 6-0 win over Division II Emmanuel. McBrayer allowed three hits and three walks over the seven innings with three stikeouts. Also Nominated: None.

MEN'S LACROSSE

Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week
Quinn Becraft, Pfeiffer - The Huntersville, North Carolina sophomore attackman scored eight goals, including the eventual game-winner, in a 16-8 win over Ferrum, the team's only action of last week. Becraft also contributed four ground balls and one caused turnover in the victory. Also Nominated: Sam Duffie, Brevard; Hunter Vaughan, Methodist; William Beyer, Greensboro; Will Merritt, Averett; Brewer Warlick, William Peace.

Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Matt Stocks, Pfeiffer - The Endwell, New York junior goalkeeper collected 18 saves in a 16-8 victory over Ferrum last week, the team's only action. Stocks finished with a .692 save percentage, collected seven ground balls and caused two turnovers. Also Nominated: Tommy Barrett, Greensboro; Cameron Brink, Methodist; Will Merritt, Averett; Zach Czulada, Piedmont.

Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Scout Philipp, William Peace - The Wilmington, North Carolina freshman attackman/midfielder tallied six points on five goals and one assist as the Pacers defeated Randolph, 13-3, in the team's only action last week. Philipp added four ground balls and one caused turnover in the victory. Also Nominated: Nate Stone, Brevard; Brady McGuire, Piedmont; Liam Taylor, Averett; Scout Philipp, William Peace.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE

Women's Lacrosse Player of the Week
Lilia Cruz, Meredith - The Great Mills, Maryland senior attacker totaled 16 points on 13 goals and three assists, to go along with 18 draw controls, two ground balls and one caused turnover as the Avenging Angels posted a 1-1 record last week. In a 23-5 win over Virginia Wesleyan, Cruz scored eight goals with three assists, a game-high 15 draw controls and one ground ball. In a 17-13 loss to Lynchburg, Cruz totaled five goals, three draw controls, one ground ball and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Keegan Foyles, Methodist; Emma Fransen, Piedmont; Elizabeth Peasley, Averett; Ali Cucinotta, N.C. Wesleyan.

Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Ansley Harris, Meredith - The Apex, North Carolina senior defender totaled three ground balls and three caused turnovers as the Avenging Angels posted a 1-1 record last week. Also Nominated: Kellianne Schlosser, Piedmont; Kaylee Joblon, Averett.

Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Kayla Nee, Methodist - The Hampstead, North Carolina freshman attacker scored twice with four assists in an 18-1 win over Sweet Briar, the only contest last week for the Monarchs. Nee also added five ground balls, three caused turnovers and one draw control in the victory. Also Nominated: Arrianna May, Meredith; Kaylee Joblon, Averett; Kellianne Schlosser, Piedmont; Blaire Harley, N.C. Wesleyan.