USA South Athletes of the Week - Sept. 10, 2012

(FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.)

Football Offensive Player of the Week
Derrick West, Ferrum - The senior wide receiver from Charlotte, North Carolina caught the eventual game-winning touchdown in a 14-7 win over Shenandoah last week. West totaled 95 yards on five receptions for an average of 19.0 yards per catch.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
Malcolm McCoy, Methodist - The Orlando, Florida senior defensive back helped lead the defense in a 34-21 victory over Guilford. McCoy totaled four solo tackles, two assisted take downs, one forced fumble and one interception. His interception helped set-up Methodist's final touchdown of the game. Also Nominated: Chris Freycinet, Ferrum; Jamie Owen, Maryville; Matthew Smith, Averett.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
Dwayne Hollis, N.C. Wesleyan - The Newport News, Virginia senior defensive back/punt returner scored on a 58-yard return in a 24-14 loss to Southern Virginia. Hollis racked up 84 return yards on four punts for an average of 21 yards per return. He also collected five total tackles and a forced fumble on defense. Also Nominated: Ryan Ristaino, Averett; Max Reber, Methodist.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
Eric McGinnis, Methodist - The junior forward from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania helped the Monarchs to a 2-1 record last week by scoring three goals with one assist for seven points. In a 2-1 loss to Randolph, McGinnis was held scoreless but did manage seven shots. In a 3-1 win over Sewanee, McGinnis was involved in each score as he scored the first and third goals while assisting on the second, and eventual, game-winning goal. Finally, in a 3-1 victory over Birmingham Southern, tallied the Monarchs' first goal of the match. Also Nominated: Alambi Clarke, N.C. Wesleyan; Danny Sassano, Maryville; Jalon Brown, Christopher Newport; Kevin Folsom, LaGrange; Richard Bjornander, Averett.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Manbi Nyepon, Greensboro - The junior goalkeeper from Liberia, West Africa was 1-1 last week for The Pride. Nyepon played all 180 minutes, made eight saves and allowed just one goal. In a 1-0 loss to Roanoke, Nyepon stopped three shots. In a 2-0 victory over Lynchburg, Nyepon notched a shutout by making five saves. Also Nominated: Harry Hinson, LaGrange; Nate Barker, Averett.

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
Sydney Dorsey, LaGrange - The Powder Spring, Georgia sophomore forward tallied six goals, including two game-winners, in a 2-1 week for the Panthers. In a 3-0 win over Huntingdon, Dorsey scored the first two goals of the match. In a 9-0 victory over Wesleyan, Dorsey recorded her first career hat-trick with three goals which included the first of the match in the second minute. Finally, in a 2-1 loss to Agnes Scott, Dorsey tallied the team's only score of the match. Also Nominated: Caitlin Novak, Mary Baldwin; Danielle Lee, Meredith; Emma O'Reilly, Christopher Newport; Kara Pegram, Ferrum; Kristin Habig, Methodist; Pernilla Milton, Averett; Phoebe Leo, Maryville.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
Kelsey Hopper, Meredith - The Wilmington, North Carolina junior goalkeeper earned a 1-1 record last week for the Avenging Angels at the Meredith National Invitational Classic. In 180 minutes played, Hopper allowed two goals and made 17 saves. In a 2-1 win over Birmingham Southern, Hopper stopped six shots. In a 1-0 loss to second-ranked Emory, Hopper made 11 saves. For her efforts, Hopper earned All-Tournament team honors. Also Nominated: Michelle Jones, Mary Baldwin; Malin Borjesson, Averett.

Volleyball Player of the Week
Jessie Kolden, Christopher Newport - The sophomore outside hitter from Alexandria, Virginia averaged 4.7 kills, a .353 hitting percentage and 0.9 digs per set last week as the top-ranked Captains posted a 3-1 record at the Juniata Asics Invitational. In a 3-0 win over Salisbury, Kolden recorded 14 kills. In a 3-0 victory over 16th-ranked Puget Sound, Kolden totaled 14 kills, five digs, two blocks and one assist. In a 3-1 loss to fifth-ranked and defending national champion Wittenberg, Kolden contributed 15 kills, six digs and one service ace. Finally, in a 3-0 victory over ninth-ranked Juniata, Kolden totaled 18 kills, one dig, one block and one assist. For her efforts, Kolden earned All-Tournament team honors. Also Nominated: Allison Sparks, Averett; Kara Strickland, Maryville; Liz Widenhouse, Greensboro.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
Mallory Bonee, Maryville - The sophomore defensive specialist/outside hitter from Powell, Tennessee averaged 4.1 digs and 0.6 assists per set last week as the Scots posted a 3-2 record. In a 3-2 win over Covenant, Bonee recorded 14 digs, three assists and one service ace. In a 3-1 victory over St. Joseph, Bonee totaled 24 digs, two assists, two service aces and one kill. In a 3-0 loss to Thomas Moore, Bonee posted 17 digs. In a 3-0 loss to Heidelberg, Bonee contributed nine digs, three kills and one assist. Finally, in a 3-1 victory over Birmingham Southern, Bonee totaled 14 digs, five assists, three service aces and one kill. Also Nominated: Bailey Jensen, Christopher Newport; Danielle Simpson, Greensboro; Ella Weymiller, LaGrange; Paige Aaron, Averett.

Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Travis Wilson, Maryville - The senior from Maryville, Tennessee placed first out of 34 runners last week at the Johnson University Invitational. Wilson completed the four mile course in a time of 24:57, helping the Scots to a second place team finish.

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
Morgan Youd, Meredith - The senior from Cary, North Carolina placed 30th out of 99 runners at the UNC-Wilmington Invitational last week. Youd completed the 5K course in a time of 21:05, helping the Avenging Angels to a third place team finish.

Rookies of the Week

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
John Pappillion, Methodist - The freshman running back from Newport, North Carolina scored three touchdowns in a 34-21 victory over Guilford. Pappillion carried the ball 15 times for 45 yards and the three scores.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
Jonathan Vita, Methodist - The freshman defensive back from Miami, Florida totaled four tackles and one sack in a 34-21 win over Guilford. Vita collected three solo tackles and one assisted take down while two of his tackles resulted in a loss of 11 total yards. Also Nominated: Jonathan Clark, Maryville; Donald Redding, Averett; Harry McNeil, Greensboro.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Andri Bjarnason, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman forward from Bolungarvik, Iceland scored three goals and tallied two assists for eight points in a 2-0-1 week for the Bishops. In a 2-1 victory over Guilford, Bjarnason assisted on two scores including the eventual game-winner. In a 2-2 tie versus Birmingham Southern, Bjarnason scored the team's first goal of the match. Finally, in a 5-3 win over Sewanee, Bjarnason notched N.C. Wesleyan's first two scores of the contest. Also Nominated: Anders Peterson, Methodist; Conner McCarty, Maryville; Morgan Stevenson, Greensboro; Nolan Mann, Christopher Newport; Paul Smart, LaGrange.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
Brenda Santamaria, Mary Baldwin - The Heathsville, Virginia freshman forward tallied her first career hat trick in a 6-1 victory over Valley Forge Christian in the team's only action last week. Santamaria scored the team's third, fourth and sixth goals of the match. Also Nominated: Jade Cotton, LaGrange; Kaitlyn Bly, Christopher Newport; Megan Luke, Meredith; Sierra Siegel, Maryville.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
Cortland Phillips, Greensboro - The freshman setter from Yadkinville, North Carolina averaged 8.26 assists, 2.0 digs and 0.8 service aces per set last week as The Pride posted a 4-1 record. In a 3-0 win over Salem, Phillips totaled 22 assists, four service aces, three digs and one kill. In a 3-1 victory over Guilford, Phillips notched a double-double of 35 assists and ten digs. She also added one kill and one service ace in the win. In a 3-0 victory over Agnes Scott, Phillips contributed 20 assists, four digs and two service aces. In a 3-2 loss to Roanoke, Phillips tallied a double-double of 44 assists and 13 digs. She also added four service aces and three kills in the loss. Finally, in a 3-1 win over William Peace, Phillips totaled 36 assists, seven digs and four service aces. Also Nominated: Ella Weymiller, LaGrange; Lindsey Boles, Averett; Stephanie Gleason, Maryville.

Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Chase McCulley, LaGrange - The freshman from Hawkinsville, Georgia placed 19th out of 62 runners last week at the North Georgia Tech Collegiate Invitational. McCulley completed the 8K course in a time of 33:50, helping the Panthers to an eighth place team finish.

Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
Emily Guillaume, Maryville - The freshman from Maryville, Tennessee placed first out of 27 runners at the Johnson University Invitational last week. Guillaume completed the 5K course in a time of 22:59, helping the Scots to a first place team finish. Also Nominated: Lauren Brandner, LaGrange.