October 15, 2007
FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.

Athletes of the Week

Football Offensive Player of the Week
          Bryan Haywood, N.C. Wesleyan - The junior running back from Chocowinity, North Carolina rushed for a touchdown and caught a pass for a touchdown as the Bishops defeated USA South foe Averett, 49-7. Haywood averaged over ten yards per carry as he totaled 127 yards on 12 carries. As for receiving, Haywood caught two passes for a total of 48 yards. Also Nominated: Todd Faison, Christopher Newport.

Football Defensive Player of the Week
          Dionte Beatty, Shenandoah - The Falls Church, Virginia junior cornerback made 11 tackles in a 33-7 win over USA South foe Greensboro. Of the 11 tackles, eight were solo take downs. Beatty was matched up with 2006 All-Conference wide receiver Torrey Lowe and held Lowe to 54 yards on eight catches. Beatty was also credited with two pass breakups and one tackle for a loss of four yards. Also nominated: Trevor Wagner, Christopher Newport; Brick Crowder, Greensboro; Griffin McConaghy, Averett; Maureik Goode, Ferrum; Scott Stevens, Maryville.

Football Special Teams Player of the Week
          Robert Hembrick, Shenandoah - The Chesterfield, Virginia freshman was credited with two blocked punts in the Hornets, 33-7, victory over USA South foe Greensboro. Hembrick's first blocked punt came in the first quarter and was returned for a touchdown to put the Hornets up by two touchdowns. His second blocked kick of the day came on the next Greensboro punt and set up a Shenandoah score four plays later. Also in the win, Hembrick made three total tackles. Also nominated: Jim LaPinska, Maryville.

Men's Soccer Player of the Week
           Michael Caro, Christopher Newport - The senior forward from Alexandria, Virginia scored three goals during a 2-0 week for the Captains. In a 1-0 win over regionally-ranked Roanoke, Caro scored the lone goal of the game in the 84th minute. In a 3-1 win over nationally-ranked USA South foe Greensboro, Caro scored twice, including the game-tying goal in the 64th minute and the final CNU goal in the 83rd minute. Also Nominated: Andy White, Methodist; David Winskill, Shenandoah.

Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
           Matt Tengs, Christopher Newport - The sophomore goalkeeper from Springfield, Virginia helped the Captains to a 2-0 record last week. In a 1-0 win over regionally-ranked Roanoke, Tengs collected his third shutout of the season by making two saves. In a 3-1 win over nationally-ranked USA South foe Greensboro, Tengs finished with four saves after facing 16 total shots.

Women's Soccer Player of the Week
          Ashley Cabral, Greensboro - The West Haven, Connecticut senior forward scored five goals in a 2-0 week for The Pride. In a 1-0 win over Guilford, Cabral scored the game's lone goal in the 71st minute. In an 11-0 win over USA South foe Mary Baldwin, Cabral tallied four goals which gives her a new school record 21 for the season. Also Nominated: Chrystal Bradley, Methodist; Harlonda Smith, Peace; Nicole Boucher, Meredith.

Women's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week
          Tessa Hall, Greensboro - The Greensboro, North Carolina sophomore defender anchored a defense which did not allow a goal in two wins last week for The Pride. In a 1-0 win over Guilford, Hall assisted on the game winning goal while also helping The Pride defense hold the Quakers to eight shots on goal. In an 11-0 victory over USA South foe Mary Baldwin, Hall assisted on three goals while The Pride defense held the Squirrels to just two shots on goal. Hall's four assists this week gives her 13 for the season which is a new school record. Also Nominated: Emily Chesbro, Christopher Newport; Shea Tharrington, Meredith.

Volleyball Player of the Week
         Samantha Kirby, Averett - The sophomore middle hitter from Lenior, North Carolina helped the Cougars to a 4-0 record last week. In 13 games, Kirby posted 68 kills, a .461 hitting percentage, 21 blocks, 15 digs and four service aces. In a 3-0 win over USA South foe Peace, Kirby had a match-high 17 kills with three digs, two blocks and one service ace. In a 3-0 victory over Lincoln, Kirby tallied a match-high nine blocks with eight kills, one dig and one service ace. In a 3-0 win over Villa Julie, Kirby contributed a team-high 16 kills with five blocks, four digs and one service ace. Finally, in a 3-1 win over 22-2 St. Mary's, Kirby accumulated a week-high 27 kills with seven digs, five blocks and one service ace. Also nominated: Sara Yeatman, Methodist; Jessica Flanagan, Ferrum; Brittany Insley, N.C. Wesleyan; Allie Wolfe, Christopher Newport; Erin Pike, Peace.

Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
         Christie Kirby, Christopher Newport - The sophomore defensive specialist from Manassas, Virginia helped the Captains to a 4-1 record last week. In 17 games, Kirby posted 93 digs, eight service aces, two assists and one kill. In a 3-0 win over USA South foe Mary Baldwin, Kirby had a match-high 16 digs with one service ace. In a 3-0 win over Gallaudet, Kirby tallied a team-high 14 digs with three service aces. In a 3-0 win over Susquehanna, Kirby contributed eight digs, two assists and two service aces. In a 3-0 win over West Virginia Wesleyan, Kirby had a match-high 20 digs with one service ace. Finally, in a 3-2 loss to Washington & Lee, Kirby contributed a week-high 35 digs with one kill and one service ace. Also nominated: Meredith Schwane, Averett; Jordan Grady, Methodist; Joy Daniels, Greensboro.

 

Rookies of the Week

Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
          Mike Vann, Ferrum - The freshman running back from Woodbridge, Virginia rushed for three touchdowns in a 21-13 win over USA South foe Methodist. Vann carried the ball 12 times for a total of 132 yards, good for an 11.0-yard average. Also Nominated: Laqwan Brodie, N.C. Wesleyan; Raphael Amey, Shenandoah; Darnell Walker, Greensboro.

Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
          Adrin Diggs, Christopher Newport - The freshman linebacker from Smithfield, Virginia had a team-best six solo tackles in the Captains, 27-13, win over USA South foe Maryville. Diggs finished with ten total tackles which included game-high 3.5 tackles for loss. Also Nominated: Blake Campbell, Shenandoah.

Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
          None

Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
          Sam Ciaravino, Christopher Newport - The Burke, Virginia freshman midfielder scored two goals and added one assist in a 2-1 week for the Captains. In a 2-0 loss at nationally-ranked Virginia Wesleyan, Ciaravino did not record a shot. In a 9-0 win over USA South foe Averett, Ciaravino totaled two scores on five shots. Finally, in a 5-0 win over USA South foe Ferrum, Ciaravino assisted on the eventual game-winning goal. Also nominated: Katie Allegro, Greensboro; Megan Franklin, Peace; Cassie Heredia, Ferrum; Alex Calvert, Meredith.

Volleyball Rookie of the Week
          Michelle Gabson, Greensboro - The freshman middle hitter from Apex, North Carolina once again had a well-rounded week as The Pride went 1-3 at the MIT Tournament in Massachusetts. In 13 games, Gabson posted 58 kills, 29 digs, seven blocks, three service aces and two assists. In a 3-0 loss to Gordon, Gabson had 15 kills, seven digs and one assist. In a 3-0 win over Eastern Connecticut, Gabson had a team-high 14 kills with four digs and four blocks. In a 3-1 loss to Colby-Sawyer, Gabson contributed a team-high 19 kills with seven digs, two blocks, one service ace and one assist. Finally, in a 3-0 loss to MIT, Gabson tallied a double-double with 11 digs and ten kills. She also added two service aces and one block in the loss. For her efforts at the tournament, Gabson was named to the MIT All-Tournament Team. Also nominated: Shannon Andy, Averett; Mary Horner, Christopher Newport; Kerra Gore, Peace.

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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