September 24, 2007
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.

Athletes of the Week

Football Offensive Player of the Week
          Matt Dobson, Ferrum - The sophomore quarterback from Fredericksburg, Virginia accounted for three rushing touchdowns and 236 yards on the ground and through the air in a 44-21 win over USA South foe Shenandoah. Dobson accumulated 141 yards on 5-of-6 passing and 95 yards rushing on 16 carries while operating Ferrum's option attack. Also Nominated: Nick Moore, Maryville; Cedric Townsend, N.C. Wesleyan; Shan Fairbanks, Averett.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
          Dustin Locke, Maryville - The Naples, Florida junior defensive back had two interceptions to help lead the Scots to a 24-7 win over USA South foe Greensboro. Locke also had five solo tackles to go along with the interceptions which were returned for 31 and 37 yards. In addition to his defensive duties, Locke had two punt returns for 20 yards and a pair of kick-off returns for 40 yards. With the win, Maryville begins a season 4-0 for the first time since 1981. Also nominated: Mautreik Goode, Ferrum; Logan Greene, Greensboro; Jason Hill, Averett.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
          Brian Vaughn, N.C. Wesleyan - The Elon, North Carolina senior kicker tied a school record for the longest field goal with a 40-yard kick in the Bishops, 50-10, win over USA South rival Methodist. Vaughn was two-for-two in the field goal department and tied a school-record for the most field goals made in a game. Vaughn was also a perfect 6-for-6 on extra point attempts. Also nominated: Chris Dooley, Shenandoah.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
           Danny Jones, N.C. Wesleyan - The senior midfielder from Baltimore, Maryland scored two goals during a 2-0 week for the Bishops. In a 2-1, overtime, win over second-ranked Greensboro, Jones scored in the 16th minute to even the score and eventually force overtime. In a 4-0 win over regionally-ranked Mary Washington, Jones scored N.C. Wesleyan's second goal of the game. Also Nominated: Ben Norman, Greensboro.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
           Alberto Faisca, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman goalkeeper from Brunswick, Maryland played 196 minutes in net last week and helped lead the Bishops to a 2-0 record. Faisca recorded seven saves and gave up one goal, a penalty kick, in the Bishops', 2-1 overtime, win over second-ranked Greensboro. In a 4-0 win over regionally-ranked Mary Washington, Faisca stopped seven shots and recorded his first collegiate shutout. Also Nominated: Kurt Gardiner, Greensboro; Joe Dusewicz, Averett.

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
          Chrystal Bradley, Methodist - The Fairfax, Virginia senior midfielder scored five goals and added one assist in a 3-0 week for the Monarchs. In a 8-0 win over USA South foe Peace, Bradley tallied a hat trick with three goals while also adding an assist. In a 1-0 win over USA South rival Ferrum, Bradley was held scoreless but did manage two shots on goal. Finally, in a 7-3 win over Bridgewater, Bradley scored twice, once to tie the score at three and again to put the Monarchs ahead by two. Also Nominated: Ashley Cabral, Greensboro; Jenn Campbell, Christopher Newport; Sarah Palastro, Ferrum; Marguerite Cook, Mary Baldwin; Harlonda Smith, Peace.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
          Shana Saganich, Greensboro - The McLeansville, North Carolina junior goalkeeper played 180 minutes without allowing a goal last week as The Pride went 2-0. In the two contests, Saganich recorded two shutouts while stopping three shots. In a 5-0 win over USA South foe Averett, Saganich stopped one shot and earned her fifth shutout of the season. Her sixth shutout of the season came in a 5-0 win over N.C. Wesleyan as Saganich made two saves. Also nominated: Lizzy Coltrane, Mary Baldwin; Katelynn Spencer, Peace.

Volleyball Player of the Week
         Allie Wolf, Christopher Newport - The junior outside hitter from Yorktown, Virginia led the Captains to a 5-0 record last week, all against USA South competition. In 15 games, Wolf posted 56 kills, a .383 hitting percentage, 33 digs, four blocks and three service aces. In a 3-2 win over N.C. Wesleyan, Wolf had ten kills, nine digs and one block. In a 3-0 victory over Averett, Wolf tallied 13 kills with seven digs and two blocks. In a 3-0 win over Ferrum, Wolf contributed nine kills, ten digs and one service ace. In a 3-0 win over Methodist, Wolf had ten kills, three digs and one block. Finally, in a 3-0 win over Greensboro, Wolf notched a week-high 14 kills with four digs and two service aces. Also nominated: Samantha Kirby, Averett; Kacie Hyatt, Greensboro; Sara Yeatman, Methodist; Colena Roberts, Mary Baldwin; Bridget Corbitt, Peace; Morgan White, Meredith.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
         Jordan Grady, Methodist - The sophomore libero from Erwin, North Carolina led the Monarchs to a 4-1 record last week, all against USA South competition. In 17 games, Grady posted 78 digs, five assists, four kills and four service aces. In a 3-0 win over Meredith, Grady had 16 digs, four assists and one kill. In a 3-0 loss to Christopher Newport, Grady tallied a match-high 16 digs with one kill and one service ace. In a 3-1 win over Ferrum, Grady contributed 16 digs, one kill and one service ace. In a 3-0 win over Mary Baldwin, Grady had five digs, one kill and one service ace. Finally, in a 3-1 win over Peace, Grady collected a week-high 25 digs with one assist and one service ace. Also nominated: Christie Kirby, Christopher Newport; Joy Daniels, Greensboro; Stephanie Sports, Peace; Lindsey McEvoy, Meredith; Meredith Schwane, Averett.

Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week
          Francois Theriault, Greensboro - The senior from Quebec City, Quebec led The Pride to a Division-III-best fourth place finish at the Old North State Championships, hosted by Guilford College. Theriault completed the 8K course in a time of 28:03 which was good for first among the D-III runners. For his efforts, Theriault was named First Team All-State.

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week
          Krystal Patton, Methodist - The senior from Fayetteville, North Carolina was the first Monarch to complete the Old North State Championships, hosted by Guilford College. Patton placed 20th overall and fourth among Division-III runners in a time of 28:20. Also Nominated: Jordan Joyce, Greensboro; Ashley Simms, Peace.

Men's Tennis Player of the Week
          Josh Sandlin, Ferrum - The sophomore from Richmond, Virginia totaled a 1-1 singles record and a 1-1 doubles mark at the Ferrum Fall Classic. Sandlin placed second at both the number-five singles and number-two doubles spots.

Women's Tennis Player of the Week
          Tiffany Tucker, Methodist - The senior from Circleville, Ohio has totaled a 5-1 singles record and a 5-1 doubles mark so far this fall. At the Meredith Invitational, Tucker won the "A" singles flight of the tournament with a 4-0 record. In doubles play at the Meredith Invitational, she teamed with Jenny Smith to win the "A" flight. At the ITA Atlantic-South Regional Tournament, Tucker competed in the "A" Draw and reached the second round before falling to the top-seed. In doubles play, Tucker again teamed with Jenny Smith, was defeated in the opening round but rebounded to win the doubles consolation draw. Also Nominated: Carrie Pacifico, Greensboro; Colleen Hightower, Shenandoah.
 

Rookies of the Week

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
          Mike Vann, Ferrum - The freshman running back from Woodbridge, Virginia totaled 245 yards of total offense in the Panthers, 44-21, win over Shenandoah. Vann ran the ball nine times for 175 yards, good for a 19.4-yard average, with one touchdown. Vann also caught three passes for 70 yards.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
          Zack Brown, Ferrum - The freshman defensive back from Tifton, Georgia picked off an errant Shenandoah pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown, helping the Panthers defeat the Hornets, 44-21. In addition to the interception, Brown had five tackles, one sack and one pass break-up. Also Nominated: Bud Christy, Maryville.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
          Marco Kirsch, N.C. Wesleyan - The freshman midfielder from Celle, Germany scored two times and added one assist last week as the Bishops went 2-0. In a 2-1, overtime, win over second-ranked Greensboro, Kirsch netted the game-winner in the 106th minute. Kirsch added his second game-winning goal of the week in a 4-0 win over regionally-ranked Mary Washington. He tallied the Bishops' first score of the game and added an assist on the team's second goal in the win. Also Nominated: Kjell Crooke, Greensboro; Stanley Abada, Averett; Tyler Clare, Christopher Newport.

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
          Hevyn Diers, Methodist - The Tappan, New York freshman midfielder scored three goals and added one assist in a 3-0 week for the Monarchs. In an 8-0 win over USA South foe Peace, Diers tallied one score. In a 1-0 win over USA South rival Ferrum, Diers assisted on the lone goal of the game. Finally, in a 7-3 win over Bridgewater, Diers scored two unassisted goals to help finish a come-from-behind victory. Also nominated: Jessica Lively, Ferrum; Sam Ciaravino, Christopher Newport; Krista Pattison, Shenandoah; Kelli Viana, Greensboro.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
          Michelle Gabson, Greensboro - The freshman outside hitter from Apex, North Carolina led The Pride to a 4-1 record last week, all against USA South competition. In 16 games, Gabson posted 56 kills, 35 digs, 13 service aces, nine blocks and two assists. In a 3-0 win over Peace, Gabson had a week-high 14 kills with five digs and two blocks. In a 3-0 victory over Shenandoah, Gabson tallied a match-high 13 kills with six service aces, three blocks and two digs. In a 3-0 win over Meredith, Gabson contributed 13 kills, seven digs, four service aces and two blocks. In a 3-0 loss to Christopher Newport, Gabson had a team-high seven kills with seven digs, two assists and one block. Finally, in a 3-1 win over Ferrum, Gabson collected a week-high 14 digs with nine kills, three service aces and one block. Also Nominated: Mallory Booker, Meredith; Mary Horner, Christopher Newport; Kelli Woodard, Peace; Shannon Andy, Averett.

Men's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
          Travis Fulp, Methodist - The freshman from Greensboro, North Carolina led the Monarchs to a seventh place finish at the Old North State Championships, hosted by Guilford College. Fulp was the first Monarch to complete the 8K course, earning a time of 33:47 which was good for a 41st place finish. Also Nominated: Roberto Aramayo, Ferrum.

Women's Cross Country Rookie of the Week
          Tiffany Austin, Greensboro - The freshman from Oakboro, North Carolina ran a personal-best time at the Old North State Championships, hosted by Guilford College. Austin placed 36th overall and ninth among Division-III runners in a time of 30:22. Also Nominated: Michelle Ayers.

Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
          Dusty Nelson, Christopher Newport - The freshman from Bemus Point, New York totaled a 2-1 singles record and an 0-1 doubles mark at the Hampton Roads Intercollegiate Tournament. Nelson won his first and second round singles matches in straight sets before falling in the quarterfinals in a third-set tiebreaker. In doubles action, Nelson teamed with Jacob Braig and fell in the first round, 8-6, to a squad from Division-I Drexel. Also Nominated: Brandon Brown, Ferrum.

Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week
          Kaitlyn Flaherty, Methodist - The freshman from League City, Texas has totaled a 6-2 singles record and a 4-2 doubles mark so far this fall. At the Meredith Invitational, Flaherty reached the finals of the "A" singles draw of the tournament, falling to teammate Tiffany Tucker. In doubles play at the Meredith Invitational, she teamed with Leighton Bull to win two matches before falling to teammates Tucker and Jenny Smith in the finals. At the ITA Atlantic-South Regional Tournament, Flaherty won three singles matches before falling to the top-seed. In doubles play, Flaherty again teamed with Bull, was defeated in the opening round but rebounded to win the doubles consolation draw.

For more information, please contact the USA South Sports Information Director Mike Christie at
(910) 630-7326 or sid@usasouth.net

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