USA South Athletes of the Week - March 15, 2021

From the USA South Athletic Conference

FOOTBALL

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Tyquan Eaddy, Methodist - The junior running back from Timmonsville, South Carolina rushed for 80 yards and scored three touchdowns in a 35-23 win over USA South foe Averett last week. In the second half alone, Eaddy carried the ball ten times for 70 yards and two scores. He also added one catch for 11 yards in the victory. Also Nominated: Eli Carr, Brevard; Isaiah Grice, Averett.

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Eli Carr, Brevard - The freshman quarterback from Asheville, North Carolina was 12-for-20 through the air for 194 yards and four touchdowns in a 27-3 victory over USA South rival Huntingdon last week. Carr averaged 9.7 yards per pass attempt and did not throw an interception. Also Nominated: None.

Football Defensive Player of the Week 
Bo Hering, Maryville - The Navarre, Florida senior linebacker grabbed two interceptions, including one which he returned for the eventual game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth-quarter in a 13-6 victory over N.C. Wesleyan last week. Hering's interception return for a touchdown traveled 30 yards while his second pick came on N.C. Wesleyan's final possession and secured the win for the Scots. Finally, Hering made four tackles, including a sack, in the win. Also Nominated: Josh Hill, Methodist; Javon Lofton, Averett' Charles Sias, N.C. Wesleyan; Dante Anderson, Brevard.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Ernest Smith II, Brevard - The freshman defensive lineman from Barnwell, South Carolina totaled four solo tackles, two of which came on a pair of key fourth-down stops for the Tornado defense in a 27-3 victory over USA South rival Huntingdon last week. Also Nominated: Omarion Jones, Methodist.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Trevor Thomas, Maryville - The junior punter from Rome, Georgia averaged 39.8 yards per attempt while placing three of his kicks within the 20-yardline in a 13-6 victory over N.C. Wesleyan last week. His longest punt of the day traveled 51 yards. Also Nominated: Kobe Praylow, Methodist; Will Caviness, Averett; Justin Pendergrass, Brevard.

MEN'S SOCCER

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Darli Mihindou, Greensboro - The Greensboro, North Carolina senior forward tallied two goals and one assist in a 4-2 win over USA South foe Mary Baldwin, the only contest last week for Greensboro. Mihindou opened the scoring in the second minute, assisted on a game-tying score just before halftime and notched the eventual game-winning score less than a minute into the second half. Also Nominated: Hudson Zeisman, Methodist; Tristan Skelton, Maryville; Cameron Earls, Piedmont; Lluc Pou, Averett; Austin Berry, Covenant; Jack Holden, N.C. Wesleyan; Adam Spencer, Brevard.

Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
Cameron Verona, Piedmont - The Waleska, Georgia senior goalkeeper stopped all six shots he faced in a 1-0, double-overtime, win over USA South foe Huntingdon, the only contest last week for the Lions. Verona kept a clean sheet over the 108 minutes of play. Also Nominated: Cole Hupp, Methodist; Jacob Smith, William Peace; Carter McAdoo, Maryville; Alexander Sargeant, Greensboro; Ezequiel Marquez, Averett; Matteo Torchio, N.C. Wesleyan; Trystan Wallace, Brevard.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Alejandro Lopez, Methodist - The Katy, Texas freshman midfielder scored the eventual game-winning goal in a 2-0 victory over USA South foe Pfeiffer, the only contest last week for Methodist. The score, which came in the 42nd minute, was the first of Lopez' collegiate career. Also Nominated: Donnie Leahy, William Peace; Noah Putman, Maryville; Evan Saylor, Piedmont; Conner Brown, Averett; Knox Gibson, Covenant; Matteo Torchio, N.C. Wesleyan; Sam O'Callaghan, Brevard.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Ashley Royster, Brevard - The Mooresville, North Carolina sophomore forward scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over USA South foe Huntingdon, the only contest last week for Brevard. In the 56th minute, Royster picked a good time to score her first goal of the season as she headed-in a cross past the keeper. Also Nominated: Angela Niles, Greensboro; Paige Simons Pettit, Covenant; Amelie Gillies, Meredith; Alexis Lemons, Methodist; Raine Greene, William Peace; Taylor Frizen, Maryville; Anya Olson, Piedmont; Maiju Hyvarinen, Averett; Alexis Louk, Huntingdon.

Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
Rebeccah Rojas, Brevard - The Murrieta, California senior goalkeeper posted a shutout in the only contest last week for the Tornados, a 1-0 victory over USA South foe Huntingdon. Rojas stopped all six shots she faced en route to her fourth shutout this season. Also Nominated: Miranda Lutz, Meredith; Maggie Wilson, Maryville; Abby Judge, Piedmont; Grace Herring, Covenant; Maurie White, LaGrange; Kylie Kersh, Huntingdon.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Alexis Lemons, Methodist - The Cary, North Carolina freshman midfielder tallied a goal and an assist in a 4-2 win over USA South rival Greensboro, the only contest last week for Methodist. In the 32nd minute, less than two minutes after entering the game, Lemons tied the score at 2-2. In the 69th minute, Lemons assisted on the match's next goal which proved to be the game-winner. Also Nominated: Chloe Johnson, Pfeiffer; Charlotte Ward, Meredith; Katie O'Brien, Maryville; Gabbie Hayes, Piedmont; Remy Vigouroux, Averett; Tae Brown, Brevard.

VOLLEYBALL

Volleyball Player of the Week
Amy Tyma, Huntingdon - The senior middle hitter from Cleveland, Ohio averaged 4.00 kills, 3.83 digs and 1.50 blocks per set with a .467 hitting percentage as the Hawks took two matches from USA South foe Brevard last week. In the first match, a 3-0 win, Tyma notched a double-double of 12 kills and 13 digs to go along with four blocks, two assists and two service aces. In another 3-0 victory, Tyma tallied a double-double of 12 kills and ten digs with five blocks. Also Nominated: Hailey Stout, Greensboro; Rachel Bartlett, Covenant; Brienna Laskowski, William Peace; Isabella Samson, Maryville; Brianna King, Piedmont; Lauren Montren, Averett; Erica East, Methodist; Deanna De La Torre, Berea.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Fabiana De'Jesus, Berea - The junior libero/defensive specialist from Caguas, Puerto Rico averaged 6.86 digs per set as the Mountaineers posted a 2-1 record last week against USA South competition. In a 3-1 loss to Maryville, De'Jesus totaled 27 digs and four assists. In two 3-0 wins over Wesleyan, De'Jesus saw action in the second match and contributed 21 digs with one service ace. Also Nominated: Lauren Mantel, Greensboro; Savannah Savage, Covenant; Lauren Phillips, Meredith; Brittany Carpenter, William Peace; Emma Gray Beacham, Pfeiffer; Natalie Watts, Maryville; Jessica Beil, Piedmont; Journey Oden, LaGrange; Erin Gray, Averett; Kaeli Ryan, Methodist; Jordan Hollis, Huntingdon. 

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Rachel Bartlett, Covenant - The freshman setter from Dover, Florida averaged 10.00 assists, 1.20 digs and 1.00 blocks per set as the Scots posted a 2-0 record last week. In a 3-0 win over USA South foe Agnes Scott, Bartlett, in just two sets, totaled 18 assists, three blocks and two digs. In a 3-0 victory over Sewanee, Bartlett posted 32 assists, four digs, three kills and two blocks. Also Nominated: Lauren Mantel, Greensboro; Landis Limon, William Peace; Lauren Shepherd, Pfeiffer; Grace Fishel, Maryville; Reagan Mercado, Piedmont; Erin Gray, Averett; Journey Oden, LaGrange; Hannah Hewett, Methodist; Deanna De La Torre, Berea; Kaitlyn Pressley, Brevard; Audrey Horsley, Huntingdon.

BASEBALL

Baseball Player of the Week
Zach Allison, Brevard - The sophomore outfielder from Hendersonville, North Carolina went a combined 5-for-10 (.500) with a .615 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, five RBI, three walks and two stolen bases as the Tornados posted a 3-0 record last week against USA South members. In a 9-3 win over Pfeiffer, Allison was 2-for-4 with one run scored, three RBI and one walk. In a doubleheader sweep of William Peace, Allison was a combined 3-for-6 with four runs scored, two RBI, two walks and two stolen bases. Also Nominated: Brooks DuBose, Covenant; James Whitmer, Piedmont; Jordan Cassell, Methodist; Davie Morgan, N.C. Wesleyan; Nolan Maccabe, Averett; Colton Clark, Huntingdon.

Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Sam Carpenter, Piedmont - The senior from Gainesville, Georgia earned a win in his only appearance, a start, last week for the Lions, a 3-1 win over Methodist. Carpenter tossed eight innings and allowed one unearned run on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts. Also Nominated: Nick Pettit, Covenant; CJ Dibenedetto, N.C. Wesleyan; Avery Spicer, Averett; Matthew Scavotto, Brevard; John Crawford, Huntingdon.

Baseball Rookie of the Week
Hunter Hollman, Methodist - The freshman catcher from Lithia, Florida went a combined 4-for-10 (.400) with a .500 on-base percentage and a .500 slugging percentage to go along with two runs scored, two RBI, one double, two walks and one stolen base as the Monarchs posted a 2-2 record last week. In a doubleheader sweep of Cairn, Hollman was a combined 3-for-6 with one run scored, two RBI, two walks and one stolen base. In two losses against Piedmont, Hollman saw action in one game and was 1-for-4 with one run scored and one double. Also Nominated: Tyson Bass, N.C. Wesleyan; Hudson Rowe, Averett; Logan Clark, Brevard; Colin Whibbs, Huntingdon.

Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Noah Sweatman, Covenant - The freshman from Gay, Georgia picked up a win out of the bullpen in his only appearance for the Scots last week, a 9-5 win over Greenville. Sweatman entered the game in the sixth inning with his team trailing 5-2 and tossed the final four innings without allowing a run or a hit, helping Covenant stage the comback victory. Also Nominated: Gavin Gomez, Huntingdon; CJ Dibenedetto, N.C. Wesleyan.

SOFTBALL

Softball Player of the Week
Abbey Gardner, LaGrange - The sophomore infielder from Bainbridge, Georgia was a combined 9-for-14 (.643) with a .667 on-base percentage and a 1.143 slugging percentage, five runs scored, six RBI, one double, two home runs and one walk as the Panthers posted a 2-2 record last week. In a doubleheader spilt with Judson, Gardner was a combined 6-for-9 with three runs scored, five RBI, one double and one home run. In a doubleheader split with USA South foe Agnes Scott, Gardner was a combined 3-for-5 with two runs scored, one run batted in, one home run and one walk. Also Nominated: Alexis Newman, Greensboro; Jordan Holman, Covenant; Hannah Thompson, Averett; Dani Brown, Huntingdon.

Softball Pitcher of the Week
Abbey Gardner, LaGrange - The sophomore from Bainbridge, Georgia posted a 2-0 record in three appearances, two starts, in the circle last week for the Panthers. In a total of 14.0 innings pitched, Gardner compiled a 1.00 ERA while allowing four runs, two of which were earned, on 12 hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Gardner earned wins over Judson and USA South foe Agnes Scott. Also Nominated: Cheyanne Cox, Greensboro; Kaitlyn Aherron, Averett; Lauren Melton, Huntingdon.

Softball Rookie of the Week
Ivy Ray, Greensboro - The freshman outfielder from Thomasville, North Carolina was a combined 5-for-11 (.455) with a .538 on-base percentage and an .818 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, six RBI, two triples, two walks and two stolen bases as the Pride took three out of four games from USA South foe Meredith in a weekend series. Also Nominated: Vanessa Davis, Covenant; Chloe Horton, Averett; Anyla Fulton, Agnes Scott; Ashleigh Woods, Wesleyan; Brooke Stefankiewicz, Huntingdon.

Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Elise Maddox, Huntingdon - The freshman from Oneonta, Alabama tossed a complete-game shutout in her only appearance in the circle for the Hawks last week, a 6-0 win over USA South foe Wesleyan. Maddox allowed just two hits and two walks with three strikeouts over the seven innings. Also Nominated: Regan Hutto, Agnes Scott; Briana Battinelli, Averett; Hannah Godfrey, LaGrange.

MEN'S LACROSSE

Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week
Jared Nelson, Pfeiffer - The Vestal, New York senior attackman tallied nine points on four goals and five assists in a 16-12 win over USA South foe Greensboro, the team's only action of last week. Nelson also added two ground balls in the victory. Also Nominated: Austin Abourjilie, Greensboro; Riely Murray, William Peace; Carter Favreau, Methodist; Avery Jenks, Piedmont; Parker Corbett, Averett; Tyler Keiser, Huntingdon.

Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Tucker Hill, Pfeiffer - The Victor, New York junior faceoff specialist was 22-of-31 (.710) on faceoffs, collected nine ground balls and scored one goal in a 16-12 victory over USA South foe Greensboro, the team's only action of last week. Also Nominated: Justin Matthews, Greensboro; Zach Czulada, Piedmont; Marques Fleming, Averett; Mike Jones, Huntingdon.

Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Harrison Williams, Methodist - The Greenville, North Carolina freshman midfielder was 17-of-24 (.708) on faceoffs and collected 12 ground balls in a 19-8 win over USA South rival Averett, the team's only action of last week. Williams saw four of his faceoff wins lead directly to Monarch goals. Also Nominated: Liam Taylor, Averett.

WOMEN'S LACROSSE

Women's Lacrosse Player of the Week
Julia Barbato, Pfeiffer - The West Palm Beach, Florida freshman midfielder totaled 14 points on eight goals and six assists with two ground balls as the Falcons defeated USA South foe Brevard, 21-5, in the team's only action last week. Barbato's 14 points tied a single-game program record and was one short of tying the USA South mark. Also Nominated: Lilia Cruz, Meredith; Kayla Nee, Methodist; Emma Fransen, Piedmont; Adriana Perez, Averett; Autumn Kraemer, Brevard.

Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Jessica Dowdy, Meredith - The Apex, North Carolina freshman midfielder helped an Avenging Angel defense hold Averett to just two shots on goal in a 24-1 victory, the only action last week for Meredith. Dowdy totaled four draw controls, two ground balls and three goals in the win. Also Nominated: Kellianne Schlosser, Piedmont; Haley Boardway, Averett.

Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Julia Barbato, Pfeiffer - The West Palm Beach, Florida freshman midfielder totaled 14 points on eight goals and six assists with two ground balls as the Falcons defeated USA South foe Brevard, 21-5, in the team's only action last week. Barbato's 14 points tied a single-game program record and was one short of tying the USA South mark. Also Nominated: Arrianna May, Meredith; Payton Jones, Methodist; Kellianne Schlosser, Piedmont; Kaylee Joblon, Averett.