USA South Athletes of the Week - Oct. 22, 2012

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Marcus Morrast, Christopher Newport - The sophomore quarterback from Stafford, Virginia accumulated 275 yards of total offense and four touchdowns in a 28-13 victory over USA South foe Averett. Morrast was 7-of-14 (50.0%) through the air for 119 yards with three touchdown passes. On the ground, he gained 156 yards rushing with one touchdown. Also Nominated: Anthony Terry, Averett; Jacques Alston, N.C. Wesleyan; Kent Gibson, LaGrange; Tim Reynolds, Ferrum; Vaughn Cross, Methodist.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
Andre Carter, LaGrange - The Villa Rica, Georgia junior linebacker set a single-game school record by recording two safeties in a 17-13 victory over USA South foe Maryville. Carter collected nine total tackles, six of which were solo take downs including three sacks for a loss of 36 yards. He also recovered a fourth-quarter fumble which led to the Panthers scoring the go-ahead touchdown. Also Nominated: Brad Wade, Methodist; Dwayne Hollis, N.C. Wesleyan; Julian Cinotti, Greensboro; Justin Navarro, Christopher Newport; Kane Crowell, Maryville; Lynwood Pickett, Ferrum; Tyler Robertson, Averett.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Dwayne Hollis, N.C. Wesleyan - The Newport News, Virginia defensive back/kick returner took the opening kickoff of the second half 90 yards for a touchdown, sparking a 39-point third quarter for the Bishops in a 45-23 win over USA South rival Greensboro. On defense, Hollis collected six total tackles and two interceptions, one of which he returned for a 40-yard touchdown. Also Nominated: Zachary Richman, Averett; Will Jeffcoat, LaGrange.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Andrew Bonorden, Christopher Newport - The senior forward from Yorktown, Virginia helped the Captains a 3-0 record versus USA South competition last week by scoring three goals. In a 3-1 win over N.C. Wesleyan, Bonorden tallied two goals including the game-winner in the 63rd minute. In a 6-0 victory over LaGrange, Bonorden was held scoreless but did manage two shots. Finally, in a 3-2 win over Piedmont, Bonorden scored the first goal of the match in the 11th minute to help the Captains secure the top-seed in the upcoming USA South Men's Soccer Tournament. Also Nominated: Aaron Gustine, Ferrum; Payne Fisher, Maryville; Sean Courtney, Greensboro; Sidney Smith, Piedmont.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Pat Hamel, Methodist - The senior goalkeeper from Sanford, North Carolina collected a 1-0-1 record versus USA South competition last week for the Monarchs. In 200 minutes of action, Hamel did not allow a goal and made two saves. In a scoreless draw to Ferrum, Hamel stopped both shots he faced. In a 1-0 victory over Maryville, Hamel did not need to make any saves en route to the shutout. Also Nominated: Brendan Cook, Christopher Newport; Fabian Broich, N.C. Wesleyan; Stephen Sherfy, Piedmont; Thomas Robinson, Ferrum; Woody Wilder, Greensboro. 

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Ashley Howarth, Maryville - The Knoxville, Tennessee junior forward tallied three goals, including two game-winners and one assist in a 2-0 week for the Scots versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over N.C. Wesleyan, Howarth scored the first goal of the match in the 13th minute. In a 3-1 victory over Methodist, Howarth tallied the first two Maryville scores before assisting on the final tally. Also Nominated: Annemarie Weaver, Christopher Newport; Dilyn Maclean, Piedmont; Mathilda Hansson, Averett; Meredith Kelly, Greensboro.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Malin Borjesson, Averett - The Stenungsund, Sweden junior goalkeeper collected two wins in a 2-0 week for the Cougars versus USA South competition. Borjesson played 165 minutes last week without allowing a goal and stopping 17 shots. In a 5-0 win over William Peace, Borjesson played the first 75 minutes and made six saves. In a 2-0 victory over Meredith, Borjesson stopped all 11 saves she faced to collect the shutout and give Averett the USA South Regular Season title. Also Nominated: Caitlyn Deaton, Ferrum; Meghan Gumbs, Christopher Newport; Sarah Hopkins, Greensboro.

Volleyball Player of the Week
Kara Strickland, Maryville - The senior right side hitter from Pleasanton, California averaged 4.18 kills, a .369 hitting percentage and 3.1 digs per set last week as the Scots posted a 3-0 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-1 win over Ferrum, Strickland posted 11 kills, seven digs, four assists, three service aces and two blocks. In a 3-1 win over N.C. Wesleyan, Strickland notched a double-double of 21 kills and 16 digs. She also added three assists, two service aces and one block in the victory. In a 3-0 win over LaGrange, Strickland tallied a double-double of 14 kills and 11 digs. She also added two assists, one service ace and one block in the victory. Also Nominated: Allison Graves, Methodist; Alyssa Kidd, Christopher Newport; Anna Hart, N.C. Wesleyan; Sarah Sparks, Averett.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Paige Aaron, Averett - The senior defensive specialist from Danville, Virginia averaged 6.8 digs per set last week as the Cougars posted a 2-1 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-1 win over Greensboro, Aaron posted 21 digs, two service aces and one assist. In a 3-0 win over Piedmont, Aaron totaled 27 digs and two assists. In a 3-0 loss to fifth-ranked Christopher Newport, Aaron contributed 20 digs and one kill. Also Nominated: Bailey Jensen, Christopher Newport; Risa Smith, Methodist; Shana Ayers, N.C. Wesleyan. 

Rookies of the Week

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Jamias Williams, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman wide receiver from Tarboro, North Carolina averaged 21.8 yards per catch with one touchdown in a 45-23 victory over USA South foe Greensboro. Williams caught four passes for 87 yards including one for a 59-yard score. Also Nominated: Nathan Driver, Averett; Paul Dukes, Christopher Newport.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Gabe Johnson, Maryville - The freshman linebacker from Villa Rica, Georgia did all he could in a 17-13 loss to USA South rival LaGrange. Johnson totaled 11 tackles, six solo take downs, 3.5 tackles for a loss of 16 yards, one fumble recovery, one interception and one pass break-up. Also Nominated: Alteriq Flowers, N.C. Wesleyan; Christian Best, Averett; Desmond Gillis, Greensboro; Justin McIntyre, LaGrange.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Justin Robinson, Ferrum - The freshman goalkeeper from Front Royal, Virginia collected a 1-0-1 record last week for the Panthers. In 200 minutes of action, Robinson allowed just two goals and made 11 saves. In a 3-2 win over Southern Virginia, Robinson collected three saves. In a scoreless draw with USA South foe Methodist, Robinson stopped all eight shots he faced. Also Nominated: Anders Dahner, Averett; Craig Gage, Greensboro; Fabian Broich, N.C. Wesleyan.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Sierra Siegel, Maryville - The Valrico, Florida freshman forward tallied two goal and two assists last week as the Scots posted a 2-0 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over N.C. Wesleyan, Siegel assisted on the first goal of the match before scoring a goal of her own to close out the scoring in the 68th minute. In a 3-1 victory over Methodist, Siegel assisted on the eventual game-winner in the 18th minute then tallied an insurance goal in the 46th minute. Also Nominated: Antoinette Roland, Ferrum; Chelsea Wolfe, Christopher Newport; Frida Olofsson, Averett.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Karly Klimas, Methodist - The freshman defensive specialist from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina averaged 4.5 digs per set last week as the Monarchs posted a 2-0 record versus USA South competition. In a 3-0 win over Ferrum, Klimas recorded 17 digs, three service aces and one assist. In a 3-0 victory over William Peace, Klimas recorded ten digs and one assist. Also Nominated: Lindsey Boles, Averett; Olivia Gough, Greensboro; Mallory Leary, Piedmont.

PLEASE NOTE: At least half of the teams in a sport must have competed within the previous week for honors to be awarded.