USA South Athletes of the Week - Oct. 8, 2012

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Max Reber, Methodist - The sophomore quarterback from St. Augustine, Florida was responsible for five touchdowns and accumulated 266 total yards in a 34-13 victory over USA South foe N.C. Wesleyan. Reber was 17-of-23 (73.9%) through the air for 230 yards with four touchdown passes. On the ground, he gained 36 yards rushing with one touchdown. Reber also handled the punting duties and averaged 36.3 yards per attempt. Also Nominated: Ke'Von White, Averett; Marcus Morrast, Christopher Newport; Tyler Brubaker, Ferrum; Travis Felder, Maryville.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
Zachary Grkman, Averett - The Salisbury, North Carolina junior defensive back thwarted LaGrange's attempts to tie the game with two fourth quarter interceptions in a 14-7 victory for the Cougars. Grkman's first pick came with less than seven minutes remaining while his second, and game-sealing interception, occurred with less than four minutes to play. He also collected three solo tackles and two pass break-ups in the win. Also Nominated: Andre Carter, LaGrange; Brad Wade, Methodist; Dylan Wolfenbarger, Maryville; Shawn Winfrey, Ferrum.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Anthony Terry, Averett - The Middleburg, Florida sophomore punt returner took a fourth-quarter punt 75 yards for what proved to be the game-winning touchdown in a 14-7 win over USA South foe LaGrange. Terry's score was his only return of the day and came with less than nine minutes remaining in the game. He also added two receptions for ten yards in the victory. Also Nominated: Wesley Franklin, Ferrum.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Mark-Antony Liljeklev, Averett - The junior midfielder from Gothenburg, Sweden helped the Cougars to a 2-0 record last week by scoring two goals. Liljeklev scored both his goals, including the game-winner, in a 3-1 win over USA South foe Christopher Newport. The win was the first for the Cougars over the Captains since 1994. In a 4-3 win over Chowan, Liljeklev was held scoreless but did manage three shots on goal. Also Nominated: Andrew Bonorden, Christopher Newport; Asa Fox, Ferrum; Payne Fisher, Maryville.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Nate Barker, Averett - The senior goalkeeper from Cave Creek, Arizona collected two wins in a 2-0 week for the Cougars. In 138 minutes of action, Barker allowed just one goal and made ten saves. In a 3-1 win over USA South rival Christopher Newport, Barker became the first Cougar goalie to defeat the Captains since 1994 as he stopped six shots. In a 4-3 victory over Chowan, Barker played the first 48 minutes and did not allow a goal while making four saves. Also Nominated: Cristian Turcious, Ferrum.

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Sandra Johansson, Averett - The Gothenburg, Sweden junior forward tallied a goal and an assist in a 2-0 week for the Cougars. In a 2-1 win over USA South rival Christopher Newport, Johansson scored the first goal of the match in the 18th minute before assisting on the eventual game-winner in the 28th minute. In a 1-0 victory over Chowan, Johansson was held scoreless but did manage three shots. Also Nominated: Rebecca Staylor, N.C. Wesleyan; Jessie Davis, Meredith.

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. Borjesson played all 180 minutes last week, allowed just one goal, stopped 11 shots and earned one shutout. In a 2-1 win over USA South rival Christopher Newport, Borjesson made eight saves. In a 1-0 win over Chowan, Borjesson stopped all three shots she faced to collect the shutout. Also Nominated: Kelsey Hopper, Meredith.

Volleyball Player of the Week
Kara Strickland, Maryville - The senior right side hitter from Pleasanton, California averaged 3.9 kills, a .296 hitting percentage, 2.4 digs and 0.9 blocks per set last week as the Scots posted a 2-1 record. In a 3-2 loss to Berry, Strickland posted a double-double with 14 kills and 21 digs. She also added two blocks and one service ace in the defeat. In a 3-1 win over USA South foe William Peace, Strickland recorded nine kills, four digs, four service aces, three blocks and two assists. Finally, in a 3-1 victory over USA South rival Piedmont, Strickland totaled 27 kills, six digs, six blocks, two service aces and one assist. Also Nominated: Bailey Jensen, Christopher Newport; Nicole Barringer, Averett; Taylor Johnson, N.C. Wesleyan.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Paige Aaron, Averett - The senior defensive specialist from Danville, Virginia averaged 5.4 digs and 0.7 service aces per set last week as the Cougars posted a 4-0 record at the Roanoke College Invitational. In a 3-1 win over Hollins, Aaron recorded 31 digs, four assists, three kills and one service ace. In a 3-1 victory over Roanoke, Aaron contributed 22 digs, two assists and one service ace. In a 3-0 non-conference win over Ferrum, Aaron totaled 11 digs and four service aces. Finally, in a 3-1 victory over Virginia-Wise, Aaron recorded 17 digs, five service aces and one assist. Also Nominated: Abby Hogge, Christopher Newport; Shana Ayers, N.C. Wesleyan.

Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Lynn Welch, Averett - The sophomore from Madison, Virginia placed 74th out of 135 runners last week at the Hagan Stone Classic in Greensboro, North Carolina. Welch completed the 8K course in a time of 31:42, helping the Cougars to a 14th place team finish. Also Nominated: None.

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Camilla Loggins, Maryville - The freshman from Chickamauga, Georgia placed third out of 51 runners last week at the Maryville College Invitational. Loggins completed the 6K course in a time of 27:17, helping the Scots to a second place team finish. Also Nominated: Stephanie Young, Averett.

Rookies of the Week

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
Paul Dukes, Christopher Newport - The freshman running back from Norfolk, Virginia rushed for 132 yards in a 38-31 win over USA South foe Ferrum. Dukes ran the ball 25 times for an average of 5.3 yards per carry. Also Nominated: Nathan Driver, Averett.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Christian Best, Averett - The freshman linebacker from Richmond, Virginia totaled three tackles in a 14-7 win over USA South rival LaGrange. Best collected two solo tackles and one assisted take down. Also Nominated: None.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Malick Chune, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman midfielder from Banjul, The Gambia scored a goal and added an assist in the team's only contest of last week, a 5-2 win over USA South foe Greensboro. His goal was the eventual game-winner and came in 62nd minute. Chune then added an assist on an insurance goal in the 82nd minute. Also Nominated: Anders Petersen, Methodist; Benjy Slator, Averett; Nolan Mann, Christopher Newport.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Morgan Funck, Ferrum - The Boones Mills, Virginia freshman tallied three goals last week as the Panthers posted a 1-1 record. In a 3-2 loss to Concord, Funck gave Ferrum a 2-0 lead with a goal in the 12th minute. In a 2-1 victory over USA South foe LaGrange, Funck scored both Panther goals, including the game-winner in the final minute of the first half. Also Nominated: Sarah Olsowski, N.C. Wesleyan; Taylor Brown, Meredith.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Lindsey Boles, Averett - The freshman defensive specialist from Stokesdale, North Carolina averaged 1.6 digs per set last week as the Cougars posted a 4-0 record at the Roanoke College Invitational. In a 3-1 win over Hollins, Boles recorded seven and three service aces. In a 3-1 victory over Roanoke, Boles appeared in three sets and contributed three digs. In a 3-0 non-conference win over Ferrum, Boles totaled two digs in one set of action. Finally, in a 3-1 victory over Virginia-Wise, Boles recorded seven digs. Also Nominated: None.

Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Jude Swanson, Averett - The sophomore, competingin his first season of cross country, from Appomattox, Virginia placed 83rd out of 135 runners last week at the Hagan Stone Classic in Greensboro, North Carolina. Swanson completed the 8K course in a time of 32:36, helping the Cougars to a 14th place team finish. Also Nominated: None.

Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Camilla Loggins, Maryville - The freshman from Chickamauga, Georgia placed third out of 51 runners last week at the Maryville College Invitational. Loggins completed the 6K course in a time of 27:17, helping the Scots to a second place team finish. Also Nominated: Rhyan Scearce, Averett.

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