USA South Athletes of the Week - Feb. 22, 2021
From the USA South Athletic Conference
MEN'S BASKETBALL
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Nicholas Clifton, Maryville - The sophomore forward from Sylvania, Georgia averaged 14.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks, 1.5 steals and 1.0 assists per game as the Scots swept two games from USA South rival Covenant on the road last week. In a 76-64 win, Clifton notched a double-double of 13 points and ten rebounds with three steals, two assists and one block. In a 64-62 victory, Clifton posted 15 points, six rebounds and three blocks. Also Nominated: Trey Minter, Berea; Ryan Jolly, Piedmont; Isaiah Jones, Averett; Dante Burden, Methodist; Matthew Brown, Greensboro; Damon McDowell, N.C. Wesleyan; Jamaal David, Pfeiffer; Promise Igbanu, Covenant; Damien Madison, Huntingdon.
Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Trey Minter, Berea - The freshman guard from Louisville, Kentucky averaged 28.0 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game as the Mountaineers dropped two games against USA South foe Piedmont on the road last week. In a 94-65 loss, Minter scored a career-high 34 points with one rebound and one assist. In an 81-66 defeat, Minter totaled 22 points, a career-high six rebounds, two assists and one steal. Also Nominated: Jekobe Coleman, Maryville; Joe Helenbrook, Piedmont; Jason Sellars II, Averett; Dorian Miles, Pfeiffer; Carson Evans, Brevard.
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Kelley Wandell, Maryville - The Clinton, Tennessee senior post player averaged a double-double of 13.0 points and 13.5 rebounds to go along with 3.5 assists, 3.0 steals and 3.0 blocks per contest as the Scots swept two games from USA South rival LaGrange last week. In a 64-55 road win, Wandell notched a double-double of 13 points and 18 rebounds with six blocks, four assists and three steals. In a 74-63 home victory, Wandell posted 13 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals. Also Nominated: Ahnila Owens, Wesleyan; Camryn Lunsford, Averett; Tyzarea Alexander, Methodist; Cara Crump, Piedmont; A'Mya McClain, Pfeiffer; Cydney Nichols, N.C. Wesleyan; Destiny Williams, Brevard; Destiny Mergilles, Covenant; Jaymesha Sanders, William Peace; Jalen Gathers, Mary Baldwin.
Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
Destiny Mergilles, Covenant - The Deerfield Beach, Florida freshman forward averaged a double-double of 20.5 points and 13.0 rebounds to go along with 4.0 blocks and 1.0 assists per game as the Scots split two games at USA South foe Huntingdon last week. In a 69-50 loss, Mergilles posted a double-double of 24 points and 15 rebounds with two blocks. In a 70-42 victory, Mergilles again notched a double-double with 17 points and 11 rrebounds with a NCAA-era program record six blocks, two assists and one steal. Also Nominated: Ahnila Owens, Wesleyan; Jordan Heifner, Maryville; Shunte Bethea, Averett; Jessica Drake, Methodist; Bentley Cronic, Piedmont.
MEN'S SOCCER
Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Hunter Hall, Huntingdon - The Panama City, Florida senior forward tallied a hat trick of three goals in a 4-1 win over USA South foe Maryville, the Hawk's only action last week. Hall scored the first of his goals in the 19th minute to tie the game before netting two insurance scores in the 86th and 90th minutes, respectively. Also Nominated: Lluc Pou, Averett; Ricardo Ruiz, Piedmont; Jordy Briceno, Greensboro; Mercer Stout, Covenant.
Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
Joshua Burton, Huntingdon - The Bay Minette, Alabama sophomore goalkeeper stopped six of the seven shots he faced en route to a 4-1 win over USA South foe Maryville, the Hawk's only action last week. The win was Huntingdon's first against Maryville since 2012. Also Nominated: Ezequiel Marquez, Averett; Ian Addison, Piedmont; Henry Hooks, Covenant.
Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Knox Gibson, Covenant - The Lakeland, Florida freshman midfielder scored a goal and added an assist in a 3-1 win over USA South foe Brevard, the Scots' lone contest of last week. Gibson scored his first collegiate goal, the game's eventual winning tally, in the 66th minute before assisting on an insurance score in the 88th minute. Also Nominated: Rion Klaas, Averett; Matthew Loftin, Piedmont; Sam Stewart, Pfeiffer; Ryan Lynch, Brevard; Sammy Sanchez, Huntingdon.
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Angela Niles, Greensboro - The Key West, Florida senior forward scored both goals for the Pride in their 2-0 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan, the only contest for Greensboro last week. Niles opened the scoring in the seventh minute with, what proved to be, the game-winning score. She then added an insurance tally in the 50th minute. Also Nominated: Taylor Frizen, Maryville; Miranda Lutz, Meredith; Aiden Sherry, Methodist; Taylor Richardson, Brevard; Kirstin Hayes, Huntingdon; Raine Greene, William Peace; Annie Ammons, Mary Baldwin.
Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
Anyka Wilkin, Mary Baldwin - The Apopka, Florida sophomore goalkeeper posted a shutout against USA South foe Meredith in the only contest last week for the Fighting Squirrels. In a 1-0 victory, Wilkin stopped all six shots faced en route to the clean sheet and the program's first-ever win over Meredith. Also Nominated: Lucy Sandhoff, Covenant; Maurie White, LaGrange; Brittany Daley, Greensboro; Kylie Kersh, Huntingdon.
Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Joslyn Dahlberg, Huntingdon - The Orlando, Florida freshman forward scored twice in a 6-0 win over USA South foe Wesleyan, the only contest for the Hawks last week. Dahlberg finished off the contest's scoring as she notched goals in the 85th and 86th minutes. Also Nominated: Katie O'Brien, Maryville; Claire-Emma Britt, Meredith; Taylor Richardson, Brevard; Remy Vigouroux, Averett; Shaelyn Webb, William Peace.
BASEBALL
Baseball Player of the Week
Tyshawn Barrett, William Peace - The senior first baseman/designated hitter from Fort Greenville, North Carolina went a combined 9-for 18 (.500) with a .550 on-base percentage and a .722 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, six RBI, four doubles, two walks and one stolen base as the Pacers posted a 3-1 record last week. In a doubleheader sweep of Methodist, Barrett was a combined 6-for-10 with two runs scored, six RBI, three doubles and one stolen base. In splitting two games with Roanoke, Barrett was a combined 3-for-8 with three runs scored, one double and two walks. Also Nominated: Carter Ballstadt, Piedmont; Ian Campbell, Maryville; Ryan Hill, Methodist; Chance Bryant, Greensboro; Zach Allison, Brevard; Lewis Saunders, Covenant; Jacob Pitts, Huntingdon.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Cole Cooper, Greensboro - The junior from Tampa, Florida tossed a complete-game shutout in his first start of the season for the Pride, a 3-0 victory over Lynchburg. Cooper allowed just three hits and two walks while striking out five. Cooper did not allow a runner past second base for the entire game. Also Nominated: Sam Carpenter, Piedmont; Damian Lusby, Maryville; Derrick Carter, N.C. Wesleyan; Nick Pettit, Covenant; Carden Mellown, Huntingdon; Patrick Rogan, William Peace.
Baseball Rookie of the Week
Colin Whibbs, Huntingdon - The freshman utility player from Gulf Breeze, Florida went a perfect 3-for-3 (1.000) in his first collegiate game, an 11-2 loss to Centenary (Louisiana), the only game he appeared in last week. He also added a walk to reach base safely in all four of his first at-bats as a Hawk. Also Nominated: Tyson Bass, N.C. Wesleyan.
Baseball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Ethan Caldwell, Methodist - The freshman from Davidson, North Carolina tossed three scoreless innings of relief in a 16-9 loss to William Peace in his only appearance on the mound for the Monarchs last week. Caldwell pitched the sixth-eighth innings, allowing just one hit and one walk while striking out a team-high four batters. Also Nominated: Justin Manus, Piedmont; Tommy Fester, Maryville; Trenten Anderson, Brevard.
SOFTBALL
Softball Player of the Week
Makenzie Pennell, Pfeiffer - The senior infielder from Taylorsville, North Carolina was a combined 10-for-19 (.526) with a .545 on-base percentage and a .947 slugging percentage to go along with five runs scored, ten RBI, five doubles, one home run and two walks as the Falcons posted a 4-2 record last week. In two losses to Lenoir-Rhyne, Pennell was a combined 4-for-7 with one run scored, three RBI, two doubles and one home run. In a doubleheader sweep of Brevard, Pennell was a combined 4-for-5 with three runs scored, six RBI, two doubles and one walk. Finally, in a doubleheader sweep of Ferrum, Pennell was a combined 2-for-7 with one run scored, one run batted in, one double and one walk. Also Nominated: Savannah Pollock, Wesleyan; Christina White, Maryville; Katelyn Perry, Piedmont; Kassie Simmons, Greensboro; Emily White, Brevard; Jordan Holman, Covenant; Mollie Singleterry, Huntingdon.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Cheyanne Cox, Greensboro - The junior from Burlington, North Carolina earned a 1-1 record last week with a 2.92 ERA in two appearances, both starts, for the Pride. In 12.0 total innings pitched, Cox allowed six runs, five of which were earned, on 12 hits with five walks and 12 strikeouts. In a 7-0 win over Lynchburg, Cox tossed a complete-game shutout. Also Nominated: Martina Maloch, Piedmont; Caiti Mickles, Pfeiffer.
Softball Rookie of the Week
Kara Taylor, Piedmont - The freshman utility player from Buford, Georgia went a combined 8-for-20 (.400) with a .455 on-base percentage and a .550 slugging percentage as the Lions have begun the season with a 3-3 record. Taylor's best performance came in her last game as she was 2-for-5 with one run scored and four RBI thanks to a grand slam home run. Also Nominated: Brooke Stefankiewicz, Huntingdon.
Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week
Emma McBrayer, Piedmont - The freshman from Powder Springs, Georgia has earned a 2-2 record with a 2.14 ERA in five appearances, one start, so far this season for the Lions. In 116.1 total innings pitched, McBrayer has seven runs, five of which were earned, on 14 hits with 12 walks and seven strikeouts. Her wins have come in relief appearances against Mt. St. Joseph and Balhaven. Also Nominated: None.
MEN'S LACROSSE
Men's Lacrosse Player of the Week
William Beyer, Greensboro - The Greensboro, North Carolina COVID-waiver freshman attackman totaled 13 goals and two assists as the Pride has begun the season with a 2-0 record. He's also accumulated seven ground balls and one caused turnover so far. In a 14-5 win over Oglethorpe, Beyer scored five goals with four ground balls and one caused turnover. In a 19-10 victory over Birmingham Southern, Beyer tallied eight goals, two assists and three ground balls. Also Nominated: Liam Taylor, Averett; Hunter Vaughan, Methodist; Scout Philipp, William Peace.
Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Jacob Shriver, Averett - The Stafford, Virginia senior goalkeeper helped the Cougars to a 2-1 record last week. In 180 minutes played, Shriver allowed 7.67 goals per game with 38 saves for a .623 save percentage. Shriver picked up wins over Centenary (LA) and Oglethorpe. Also Nominated: Kuleul Moore, William Peace.
Men's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Connor Taff, Averett - The Durham, North Carolina freshman midfielder has totaled five goals and three assists with nine ground balls and three caused turnovers as the Cougars have begun the season with a 2-1 record. In a 12-5 win over Centenary (LA), Taff notched an assist, one ground ball and one caused turnover. In a 12-6 loss to Ferrum, Taff scored once with one assist, four ground balls and one caused turnover. Finally, in a 7-6 win over Oglethorpe, Taff scored a team-high four goals with one assist, four ground balls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Michael Poteete, LaGrange; Harrison Williams, Methodist; Chase Henderson, Greensboro; Devin Noonan, William Peace.
WOMEN'S LACROSSE
Women's Lacrosse Player of the Week
Elizabeth Peasley, Averett - The Wilmington, North Carolina senior attacker accumulated 28 points on 26 goals and two assists last week as the Cougars posted a 2-0 record. She also added 12 draw controls, seven ground balls and three caused turnovers. In a 22-2 win over Sweet Briar, Peasley set a program and USA South record for goals in a single-game with 13. She also added one assist to tie a single-game Averett record for points in a game (14) while also adding six draw controls, three ground balls and three caused turnovers. In a 20-4 victory over Randolph, Peasley tied both marks set earlier in the week with 13 goals and one assist for 14 points to go along with six draw controls, four ground balls and one caused turnover. Also Nominated: Keegan Foyles, Methodist; Aislynn Kimbro, Piedmont; Ali Cucinotta, N.C. Wesleyan.
Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Adriana Perez, Averett - The Woodbridge, Virginia sophomore midfielder helped the Cougars to a 2-0 record last week by accumulating 11 draw controls, three caused turnovers and three ground balls to go along with five goals and one assist. In a 22-2 win over Sweet Briar, Perez totaled six draw controls, two ground balls and one caused turnover with one goal. In a 20-4 victory over Randolph, Perez tallied five draw controls, two caused turnovers and one ground ball with four goals and one assist. Also Nominated: Ashley Fuentes, Methodist; Kellianne Schlosser, Piedmont; Devin Bautz, N.C. Wesleyan.
Women's Lacrosse Rookie of the Week
Devin Bautz, N.C. Wesleyan - The Laurel, Maryland freshman goalkeeper allowed just three goals in a 14-3 win over Sweet Briar, the only contest last week for the Bishops. Bautz collected eight saves for a .727 save percentage and the victory. Also Nominated: Kaylee Joblon, Averett; Ashley Fuentes, Methodist; Kellianne Schlosser, Piedmont.