Weekly award winners announced for TSWA - Oct. 3

October 3, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Maryville’s Chenier, Austin Peay’s Williams earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Elijah Chenier and Austin Peay’s Jaison Williams were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from September 24-30.

Chenier rushed for 151 yards on just 15 attempts with one touchdown for the Scots. The Baytown, Texas, native averaged 10.1 yards per carry against Greensboro College, ripping off runs of 28, 18, 17, 18, 13 and 12 yards en route to his 151, including a 28-yard TD run. Maryville rushed for 437 yards in the contest.

Chenier leads the club with 401 rushing yards on 80 attempts (5.0 yards-per-carry) and five touchdowns through five games this season.

Williams led the Govs to an historic 7-0 victory over 18th-ranked UT Martin, collecting six tackles with 2.5 sacks, a forced fumble and two quarterback hurries. It marked the first Division I shutout for Austin Peay since 1986. The APSU defense forced UT Martin quarterback Troy Cook into just 10-of-31 passing for 126 yards and two interceptions.

Austin Peay defeated a nationally-ranked opponent for the first time since 2009 and posted its first three-game winning streak since 1986. Williams has 16 tackles with 7.0 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and four QB hurries through five games this season.

2017 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sam Castronova, Bethel University (Offense); Alex Campagne, Cumberland University (Defense)
September 6 – Dezmon Huntley, Cumberland University (Offense); Chris Collins, Tennessee State (Defense)
September 12 – Kyle Shurmur, Vanderbilt (Offense); Jordan Early, Maryville College (Defense)
September 19 – Riley Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Matt Simon, Tusculum College (Defense)
September 26 – Brad Anderson, Middle Tennessee (Offense); James Gilleylen, UT Martin (Defense)

MEN’S SOCCER: Maryville’s Rakhmonberdiev named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Johnny Rakhmonberdiev earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, netting four goals with one assist in three outings for the Scots.

The Kiev, Ukraine, native posted the equalizer in the 67th minute versus Berea College and added two goals against LaGrange College. The sophomore midfielder posted scores in the 54th and 55th minutes, taking a free kick from 20 yards on the first goal and heading in a corner on the second.

Rakhmonberdiev netted the first goal of the match in the 74th minute on a free kick from just outside the box and assisted on a Bret Thomas score three minutes later in a 2-0 win versus Centre College. He has seven goals and two assists in 10 matches this season.

2017 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Brad Spooner, Bryan College
September 6 – Daniel Williams, Cumberland University
September 12 – Carlos Saavedra, King University
September 19 – Charlie Clarke, Bryan College
September 26 – Tyler Watson, Cumberland University

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Carson-Newman’s Wade garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Lauren Wade assisted on all five goals for the Eagles in two wins, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Coleraine, Northern Ireland, native collected two assists in a 2-1 victory over Clayton State, with Averi Williams scoring in the 29th minute to even the match and Holly Talbut-Smith netting the game-winner in the 80th minute.

The senior forward added three assists in a win at Anderson University on goals by Talbut-Smith (13th minute), Jaidyn Zapf (26th minute) and Lara Hallgrimsdottir (87th minute). Wade has five goals and eight assists in nine matches this season for Carson-Newman.

2017 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sydney Cason, Belmont University
September 6 – Magda Mosengo, Carson-Newman
September 12 – Rebecca Holloway, Cumberland University
September 19 – Makena Giles, Bryan College
September 26 – Bailey Sipos, Maryville College

VOLLEYBALL: King’s Scaniffe named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Cathy Scaniffe was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, averaging 9.7 kills and 6.7 digs in three matches for the Tornado.

The Lorton, Va., native posted her first double-double of the season with 11 kills and 11 digs in a sweep at UVA-Wise. The junior followed that with seven kills in a sweep against Erskine College and finished the week with 11 kills, five digs and three blocks against Emmanuel College.

Scaniffe leads the Tornado with 157 kills (3.65 per set) and has 67 digs, 19 service aces and 12 blocks in 13 matches.

2017 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Ashley Slay, Austin Peay
September 6 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State
September 12 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State
September 19 – Cassie Born, Tusculum College
September 26 – Megan Fair, UT Martin

TSWA announces weekly awards - Sept. 26

September 26, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Anderson, UT Martin’s Gilleylen earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Brad Anderson and UT Martin’s James Gilleylen were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from September 11-17.

Anderson rushed 16 times for 104 yards and added six receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown in the Blue Raiders 24-13 win over Bowling Green. The Huntsville, Ala., native averaged 6.6 yards-per-carry and caught a 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter, the longest play of the season thus far for Middle Tennessee.

The freshman leads the Blue Raiders with 130 yards on 22 carries and has nine receptions for 113 yards.

Gilleylen tallied seven tackles along with a forced fumble and a fumble recovery as well as half a tackle for loss and two quarterback hurries in the Skyhawks 31-16 win over Tennessee State. The Tupelo, Miss., native notched three solo stops in the contest. He forced a fumble on Tennessee State’s second play from scrimmage, giving UTM the ball at the TSU 26 and that led to a field goal and a 10-0 Skyhawks lead.

The redshirt junior linebacker has 28 tackles with 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks and four QB hurries this season.

MEN’S SOCCER: Cumberland’s Watson named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Tyler Watson earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, scoring three goals in a pair of victories for the Phoenix.

The Simi Valley, Calif., native netted the game-winner against 24th-ranked Martin Methodist, taking a pass from Brian McNamara and beating the keeper 1-v-1 in the 37th minute. CU added a goal in the 76th minute in the 2-0 win.

The freshman midfielder netted two goals versus Oakland City University, scoring in the 22nd and 57th minutes, his fifth and sixth goals of the year.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Maryville’s Sipos garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Bailey Sipos recorded four goals in two wins for the Scots, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Knoxville, Tenn., native registered a pair of goals in a 3-0 win over Wesleyan College, taking an assist from Hannah Clothier in the fifth minute and finding the back of the net unassisted in the 22nd minute. The freshman forward added two more goals in a 3-0 victory versus Ferrum College, scoring unassisted in the seventh and 58th minutes.

Sipos leads the Scots with 11 goals and one assist in nine matches this season.

VOLLEYBALL: UT Martin’s Fair named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – UT Martin’s Megan Fair was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, collecting a pair of double-doubles in two wins for the Skyhawks.

The Conover, N.C., native posted 11 kills and 13 digs in a 3-1 victory over Southeast Missouri. The junior followed that with 18 kills (and just two errors) along with 18 digs in a 3-1 win against Tennessee Tech. UTM started OVC play 2-0 for the first time since 2011.

Fair leads the Skyhawks with 162 kills (2.95 per set) and ranks second on the club with 135 digs (2.45 per set) along with 14 service aces and 12 total blocks.

TSWA honors weekly award winners - Sept. 19

September 19, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Memphis’ Ferguson, Tusculum’s Simon earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson and Tusculum College’s Matt Simon were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from September 4-10.

Ferguson completed 23-of-38 passes for 398 yards and six touchdowns in the Tigers 48-45 victory over 25th-ranked UCLA. The Matthews, N.C., native tossed scoring throws of 2, 47, 42, 33, 12 and 3 yards, the last one with 9:56 remaining in the contest to give Memphis the lead for good.

The 398-yard game was the eighth 300-yard passing outing of his 15-game-old Memphis career and his six touchdown passes tied his career-best (vs Bowling Green last year).

Simon tallied seven tackles and scored a pair of defensive touchdowns for the Pioneers, becoming the first player in program history to return both an interception and a fumble for a TD in the same contest.

The Lithonia, Ga., native scooped up a fumble one-handed and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown midway through the second quarter, giving Tusculum an early lead. His 29-yard interception return for a TD put the Pioneers ahead, 24-17, with 9:07 left in the contest.

MEN’S SOCCER: Bryan’s Clarke named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bryan College’s Charlie Clarke earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, scoring four total goals in a pair of matches for the Lions.

The Norwich, England, native scored in the 10th minute on an assist from Aaron Attree versus 19th-ranked Dalton State College. The junior forward netted the final three goals for Bryan versus St. Andrews University, all in about two minutes in the conference opener for the Lions.

Clarke was assisted by Dino Jones and Keith Lyons at 87:33 and scored unassisted only 46 seconds later, breaking open a 2-1 match with the two goals. He added another score in the final minute on an assist from Jonathan Ricketts. He has seven goals and one assist in eight matches this season.

2017 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Brad Spooner, Bryan College
September 6 – Daniel Williams, Cumberland University
September 12 – Carlos Saavedra, King University

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Bryan’s Giles garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Bryan College’s Makena Giles recorded six goals and two assists in two matches for the Lions, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Athens, Tenn., native scored in the 26th minute on an assist from Ruth Rosales and added two unassisted goals in the first six minutes after halftime in a victory over Life University. The freshman also assisted on the first and third goals of the match for Bryan.

Giles added three more goals against St. Andrews University, scoring in the 23rd and 25th minutes and again in the 56th minute in the conference opener for the Lions. She has seven goals and two assists in five matches this season.

2017 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sydney Cason, Belmont University
September 6 – Magda Mosengo, Carson-Newman
September 12 – Rebecca Holloway, Cumberland University

VOLLEYBALL: Tusculum’s Born named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum College’s Cassie Born was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, recording 56 kills and 51 digs in three matches for the Pioneers.

The Horse Shoe, N.C., native posted a career night in a five-set win over Lincoln Memorial with 26 kills and 26 digs for Tusculum. The junior collected 12 kills and five digs at Lenoir-Rhyne and concluded the week with her second double-double, registering 18 kills and 20 digs in a 3-2 road win at Catawba College.

For the season Born has 115 kills, 3.48 per set, and 108 digs, 3.27 per set, for the Pioneers.

2017 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Ashley Slay, Austin Peay
September 6 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State
September 12 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State

Weekly award winners named for TSWA - Sept. 12

September 12, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Vanderbilt’s Shurmur, Maryville’s Early earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vanderbilt’s Kyle Shurmur and Maryville College’s Jordan Early were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from August 28-September 3.

Shurmur completed 15-of-18 passes for 202 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another score in VU’s 42-0 victory against Alabama A&M. The Philadelphia, Pa., native set a single-game career high with the four TD passes and established a new Vanderbilt single-game percentage mark (.833), breaking a record that stood for 56 years.

The junior quarterback has passed for 498 yards, seven touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 35-of-46 attempts through two games, helping the Commodores to their first 2-0 start since 2011.

Early registered five tackles with a fumble recovery that he returned for a touchdown in a 24-20 comeback victory against Hanover College. The Marietta, Ga., native scooped a fumble and scampered 37 yards for a score with 6:58 left in the first half, cutting the Hanover lead to 14-7. Maryville’s offense managed only 43 yards in the first half, but the scoop-and-score kept the Scots in the contest.

Early has 12 tackles with 0.5 tackles for loss and one pass breakup through two games this season.

King University's Carlos Saavedra (right)

MEN’S SOCCER: King’s Saavedra named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Carlos Saavedra earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, posting a pair of outings with two goals.

King trailed 2-0 at Mars Hill College but the junior cut the deficit in half with a goal in the 35th minute. The Chicureo, Chile, native netted his first career game-winning goal in the 79th minute, giving the Tornado a 3-2 come-from-behind victory.

Saavedra put King ahead 1-0 with a goal in the 11th minute in the Conference Carolinas opener at Erskine College, but the Flying Fleet took a 3-1 advantage in the second half. His fourth goal of the week was the equalizer in the 78th minute, sending the match to overtime. He has four goals and one assist in four matches this season for King.

2017 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Brad Spooner, Bryan College
September 6 – Daniel Williams, Cumberland University

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Cumberland’s Holloway garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Rebecca Holloway recorded three goals and three assists in three matches for the Phoenix, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Bristol, England, native assisted on an Emily Shires goal in the 66th minute that evened the match against 18th-ranked John Brown University. The junior midfielder scored the first and last goals and assisted on another in a win at Brenau University, posting goals in the fifth and 88th minutes and helping on Mariah Aplin’s score in the 69th minute.

Holloway added a goal and an assist in a home victory against Point University, helping on Aplin’s score in the last 10 seconds of the first half and netting a goal in the 51st minute from Kaitlen Kisiloski. She has three goals and four assists in four outings this season.

2017 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sydney Cason, Belmont University
September 6 – Magda Mosengo, Carson-Newman

VOLLEYBALL: East Tennessee’s Milhorn named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – East Tennessee State’s Rylee Milhorn was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week for the second consecutive week, registering 44 kills and 32 digs with one double-double in three matches for the Bucs.

The Kingsport, Tenn., native collected 15 kills and eight digs at Western Kentucky and posted her second double-double of the year with 15 kills and 17 digs in a victory over Saint Louis. The senior outside hitter recorded 14 kills and seven digs in the final match of the Holiday Inn-University Plaza Invitational versus Pittsburgh.

For the season Milhorn has 107 kills, 3.15 per set, with 86 digs (2.53 per set) and 16 service aces in nine matches for ETSU.

2017 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Ashley Slay, Austin Peay
September 6 – Rylee Milhorn, East Tennessee State

TSWA announces weekly awards - Sept. 6

September 6, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Cumberland’s Huntley, Tennessee State’s Collins earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Dezmon Huntley and Tennessee State’s Chris Collins were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from August 28-September 3.

Huntley accounted for 382 yards of total offense and two touchdowns in CU's 42-40 win at the University of the Cumberlands. The Mableton, Ga., native passed for a career-best 291 yards on 13-of-25 and rushed 16 times for 92 yards with TD runs of nine and eight yards, the last one accounting for the winning points in the contest. He posted six passing plays of 20-plus yards.

It marked the first win for the Phoenix at the Cumberlands since 2001, ending a six-game road losing streak in the series, and was the first back-to-back wins over the Patriots since 2000-01. The Phoenix are 2-0 for the first time since 2000.

Collins recorded 12 tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack and a forced fumble in TSU’s victory over FBS Georgia State to open the season. The Fairburn, Ga., native recorded nine solo stops in the contest and forced a fumble on the Panthers first drive of the game, with the Tigers recovering at their own 25-yard line.

The senior linebacker then made a stop in the third quarter on fourth down at the TSU four-yard line. Tennessee State’s defense allowed just 14 first downs and 273 total yards in the 17-10 victory.

2017 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sam Castronova, Bethel University (Offense); Alex Campagne, Cumberland University (Defense)

MEN’S SOCCER: Cumberland’s Williams named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Daniel Williams earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, registering four goals plus an assist for the Phoenix.

The London, England, native scored four goals and added an assist in a little over a half of action versus Midway University. The junior posted goals at the nine-minute mark and again in the 28th minute before assisting on a Tyler Watson goal in the 32nd minute. He then registered a pair of goals in the first four minutes of the second period, ending his day. He has seven goals in three matches for the Phoenix.

2017 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Brad Spooner, Bryan College

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Carson-Newman’s Mosengo garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Magda Mosengo collected three goals and one assist in a pair of outings for the Eagles to earn the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The London, England, native assisted on Lauren Wade’s goal in the 47th minute and added her own tally in the 83rd minute in a 2-0 victory to open the season against Ferris State. The junior added goals in the 60th and 87th minutes versus Georgia College, with the Eagles scoring four times in the second half in a 5-1 win.

2017 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Sydney Cason, Belmont University

VOLLEYBALL: East Tennessee’s Milhorn named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – East Tennessee State’s Rylee Milhorn was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, posting 34 kills and 30 digs with one double-double in three matches for the Bucs.

The Kingsport, Tenn., native collected seven kills and eight digs in a victory over Virginia and recorded her first double-double of the season with 18 kills and 12 digs in a win against Appalachian State. The senior added nine kills and 10 digs versus Towson.

2017 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 31 – Ashley Slay, Austin Peay