Weekly winners announced by TSWA

November 14, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Austin Peay’s Oatsvall, Tusculum’s Brown earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay’s Jeremiah Oatsvall and Tusculum College’s L’Keith Brown were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from November 6-12.

Oatsvall accounted for 307 yards of total offense in the Governor’s 31-24 victory at Eastern Kentucky, erasing a 17-point halftime deficit en route to the win. The Brentwood, Tenn., native completed 11-of-15 passes for 203 yards with scoring throws of 59 and 17 yards, both in the second half. The freshman quarterback also rushed 18 times for 64 yards, including an eight-yard TD run with 53 seconds remaining in the contest for the winning points.

Oatsvall is completing 60 percent of his passes for 1,070 yards with seven touchdowns while rushing for 404 yards and five TDs.

Brown recorded 10 tackles and an interception in Tusculum’s 25-17 victory over 12th-ranked Wingate University to end the season. The Athens, Ga., native helped the Pioneers defense hold Wingate running back Lawrence Pittman, the South Atlantic Conference’s leading rusher, to just 24 yards in the contest, over 100 yards below his season average entering the contest.

The senior linebacker’s interception ended a Wingate drive at the TC13 late in the first quarter. Brown finished with five solo stops and 0.5 tackles for loss in his final collegiate game, ending his career with 336 tackles, third-most in program history.

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)
October 3 – Elijah Chenier, Maryville College (Offense); Jaison Williams, Austin Peay (Defense)
October 10 – Riley Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Vincent Sellers, Tennessee State (Defense)
October 17 – Alex Ogle, Tusculum College (Offense); L’Keith Brown, Tusculum College (Defense)
October 24 – Kentel Williams, Austin Peay (Offense); John Cleveland, Sewanee (Defense)
November 7 – Derrick Evans, Carson-Newman (Offense); Temoris Coats, Carson-Newman (Defense)

VOLLEYBALL: Belmont’s Person named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University’s Arianna Person was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, becoming the program’s all-time leader in kills while registering a pair of double-doubles in two victories for the Bruins.

The Lenexa, Kan., native posted 24 kills and 10 digs with five blocks in a 3-1 win over Jacksonville State. The senior collected 20 kills, 11 digs and two solo blocks in the regular season finale against Tennessee Tech. She has a team-leading 398 kills, 3.83 per set, along with 261 digs, 2.51 per set, this season for Belmont.

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
October 3 – Cathy Scaniffe, King University
October 10 – Arianna Person, Belmont
October 17 – Nia Haller, Maryville College
October 24 – Bre Carlton, Union University
November 7 – Carlyle Nusbaum

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Trevecca’s Whitfield named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca University’s Devin Whitfield earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades on Tuesday, posting 21.5 points and 6.5 rebounds in two contests to begin the season for the Trojans in the G-MAC/GLVC Challenge in St. Louis, Mo.

The Lipscomb, Ala., native connected on just 3-of-13 shots but made 13-for-14 at the foul line in the regular season opener against Truman State, finishing with 21 points along with five rebounds and two steals. The sophomore guard collected 22 points with three 3-pointers at Maryville University, adding eight rebounds and three assists for the Trojans.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Wester garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Mika Wester averaged 25.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 4.5 assists in a pair of victories for the Eagles to open the season, earning Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honors on Tuesday.

The Newport, Tenn., native made 9-of-15 shots for 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds while handing out four assists in a road win at USC Aiken. The junior followed that with 28 points on 10-for-18 shooting with three 3-pointers in a 90-87 road victory at Lander University. She added four boards and five assists as well.

TSWA honors weekly award winners

November 7, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Carson-Newman’s Evans, Coats earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Derrick Evans and Temoris Coats were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 30-November 5.

Evans passed for 149 yards and rushed for 109 yards and five touchdowns in a 42-28 victory at Lenoir-Rhyne. The Macon, Ga., native completed 12-of-16 passes for 149 yards and rushed 18 times for 109 yards, tying the school single-game record with five rushing TDs.

The sophomore posted scoring runs of 76, five, one, one and two yards, including three touchdown runs in the fourth quarter. Carson-Newman recorded the final 21 points of the game, all in the final period. Evans has 17 rushing touchdowns this season, which leads all quarterbacks in NCAA Division II. He has 498 rushing yards and 1368 yards passing along with eight touchdowns in 10 contests.

Coats led the Carson-Newman defense with nine tackles, including two for loss, and one pass breakup, as the Eagles limited Lenoir-Rhyne to just 207 yards of total offense. The Greenwood, S.C., native posted six of his nine stops in the second half, helping the Eagles overcome a seven-point deficit en route to the victory. Carson-Newman collected 11 tackles for loss in the game.

Coats has 39 tackles with 4.5 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one interceptions, one pass breakup and two pass deflections 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)
October 3 – Elijah Chenier, Maryville College (Offense); Jaison Williams, Austin Peay (Defense)
October 10 – Tyler Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Vincent Sellers, Tennessee State (Defense)
October 17 – Alex Ogle, Tusculum College (Offense); L’Keith Brown, Tusculum College (Defense)
October 24 – Kentel Williams, Austin Peay (Offense); John Cleveland, Sewanee (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 honors, scoring a pair of goals in a quarterfinal victory in the Mid-South Conference Championships for the Phoenix.

The London, England, native netted the first and last goals in CU's 3-0 win against Georgetown College in the quarterfinals of the MSC Championships. The junior scored on an assist from Tyler Watson in the 32nd minute, tracking down a long pass and beating the Tigers keeper to the ball near the penalty spot, finishing low and right into the back of the net.

Williams finished an assist from Daniel Picken in the 70th minute, his 15th goal in 15 matches this season. He ranks third in the Mid-South Conference in goals and third nationally with six game-winning goals.

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
October 3 – Johnny Rakhmonberdiev, Maryville College
October 10 – Tobias Karslen, Carson-Newman
October 17 – Charlie Clarke, Bryan College
October 24 – Edgar Cervantes, Tusculum College

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Carson-Newman’s Wade garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Lauren Wade netted a hat trick in the South Atlantic Conference Tournament championship match, helping the Eagles to a victory and garnering the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Coleraine, Northern Ireland, native netted a goal in the 38th minute, finishing a rebound for a 1-0 lead in a 2-0 victory against Newberry College in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament. The senior got the Eagles on the board in the 12th minute in the semifinals versus Tusculum College and then assisted on the game-winner in overtime in the 93rd minute.

In the championship match, Wade scored twice in the first 13 minutes at Wingate College, helping the Eagles build a 3-0 lead. She finished the hat trick with another score in the 63rd minute, earning Tournament MVP honors. Wade has 16 goals in 18 matches this season for Carson-Newman, which is 17-0-1 in 2017.

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
October 3 – Lauren Wade, Carson-Newman
October 10 – Bailey Sipos, Maryville College
October 17 – Chloe Arnold, Chattanooga
October 24 – Shannon Reagan, Maryville College

VOLLEYBALL: Lipscomb’s Nusbaum named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb University’s Carlyle Nusbaum was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, recording a pair of double-doubles in a pair of outings for the Bisons.

The Overland Park, Kan., native posted 28 kills and 13 digs in a four-set outing against Jacksonville University, hitting .333 and adding three blocks. The junior followed that with 24 kills and 16 digs in a sweep over North Florida, hitting .400. She committed just 13 errors in 108 attacks in the two matches.

She registered 20-plus kills and for seventh and eighth times this season and 17th and 18th times in her career. Nusbaum recorded her 12th and 13th double-doubles of the year as well.

She leads the Bisons with 431 kills, 5.01 per set, and has 242 digs, 2.81 per set, and second-most on the club this season.

Weekly award winners announced by TSWA - Oct. 24

October 24, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Austin Peay’s Williams, Sewanee’s Cleveland earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Austin Peay’s Kentel Williams and Sewanee’s John Cleveland were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 16-22.

Williams rushed for 148 yards on just eight carries with one touchdown and added a 19-yard reception, helping Austin Peay build a 35-7 lead in a Homecoming victory over Southeast Missouri. The Knoxville, Tenn., native posted a 74-yard TD run in the first quarter and recorded a 56-yard scamper in the second period as well. The sophomore has five of the team’s six plays of 50 yards or more this season.

Williams leads the Govs with 583 yards on 84 carries, 6.9 yards-per-attempt, with two touchdowns this season. APSU’s five wins are its most since the 2007 season.

Cleveland registered 13 tackles, 10 solo, with two interceptions and a forced fumble versus Trinity University. The Fort Worth, Texas, native collected his first INT of the game midway through the opening period, stopping a drive at the Sewanee 28, and on the ensuing Trinity possession, he intercepted a pass in the end zone for a touchback.

The senior defensive back forced a fumble late in the second quarter and made nine of his 13 stops in the second half, as Sewanee climbed out of a 27-0 hole before losing 27-21. Cleveland has five interceptions this season, tied for the conference lead and tied for eighth in NCAA Division III. He also has 58 total tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss and two pass breakups.

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)
October 3 – Elijah Chenier, Maryville College (Offense); Jaison Williams, Austin Peay (Defense)
October 10 – Tyler Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Vincent Sellers, Tennessee State (Defense)
October 17 – Alex Ogle, Tusculum College (Offense); L’Keith Brown, Tusculum College (Defense)

MEN’S SOCCER: Tusculum’s Cervantes named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum College’s Edgar Cervantes earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, registering three goals and an assist in a pair of matches for the Pioneers.

The Cancun, Mexico, native scored a goal and assisted on another in a 2-2 draw against Carson-Newman, finding the back of the net in the sixth minute for an early Tusculum lead. His assist to Jonny Winter in the 25th minute put the Pioneers ahead, 2-0.

Cervantes tallied two goals in a 3-1 victory at Catawba College, scoring in the fifth and 24th minutes, both on assists from Connor Green. It marked the first goals and points for Cervantes this season in 14 matches with six starts.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Maryville’s Reagan garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Shannon Reagan posted four goals and one assists in two outings for the Scots, garnering the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Tullahoma, Tenn., native scored on a penalty kick in the 64th minute in a 2-0 win against Covenant College. The sophomore added three goals and an assist versus LaGrange College, finding the back of the net in the fourth and sixth minutes and handing out an assist on Hannah Clothier’s score in the 22nd minute. Reagan completed the hat trick with a goal in the 64th minute, giving her a conference-leading 16 goals for the season.

With the two victories Maryville tied Piedmont College for the regular season conference championship and will host the league tournament by virtue of a coin toss.

VOLLEYBALL: Union’s Carlton named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Bre Carlton was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, recording a triple-double and averaged 30.3 assists, 8.3 digs and 5.0 kills in three matches for the Bulldogs.

The Franklin, Tenn., native registered 25 assists along with three kills at West Alabama and followed that with 15 assists and six digs at North Alabama. The freshman setter collected her first triple-double at Alabama-Huntsville with 10 kills, 51 assists and 17 digs in five-set loss. She set season-highs in kills and digs and posted her second highest mark of the year in assists.

Carlton leads Union with 803 assists, 8.19 per set, while adding 83 kills and 153 digs this season.

TSWA announces weekly awards - Oct. 17

October 17, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Tusculum’s Ogle, Brown earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum College’s Alex Ogle and L’Keith Brown were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 9-15.

Ogle completed 22-of-38 passes for 224 yards with two touchdowns while rushing for another score and throwing a pass for the game-winning two-point conversion in a 32-31 double overtime win at Newberry College. The Hobe Sound, Fla., native tossed a 27-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter to pull the Pioneers within 17-14 and his nine-yard scoring pass put Tusculum ahead in the first overtime.

In the second OT Ogle rushed two yards for a touchdown on fourth down and then completed the two-point throw for the Pioneers’ first road win in the series since 2009 against the defending conference champions. The junior posted 133 yards passing with both touchdowns after halftime. He has completed 57 percent of his throws for 1,537 yards with 10 touchdowns and four interceptions this season through seven games.

Brown posted a season-high 12 tackles with a forced fumble and one interception in the win for the Pioneers as well. The Athens, Ga., native made five solo stops, including two for loss, and the interception was late in the first half and led to a field goal just before intermission.

Brown became the sixth player in Tusculum history to surpass the 300-tackle plateau in the contest. He leads the Pioneers with 56 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss, with two forced fumbles 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)
October 3 – Elijah Chenier, Maryville College (Offense); Jaison Williams, Austin Peay (Defense)
October 10 – Tyler Ferguson, Memphis (Offense); Vincent Sellers, Tennessee State (Defense)

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 honors, posting four goals and one assist in two matches for the Lions.

The Norwich, England, native assisted on Brad Spooner’s goal just 40 seconds into the match in a 4-1 victory over Milligan College. The junior forward then scored four times in a 6-3 win at Montreat College, including a natural hat trick in the back-and-forth affair.

Spooner assisted on Clarke’s first score in the 20th minute and Kevin Roenpage added an assist on a goal in the 53rd minute that gave Bryan a 2-1 edge. Clarke scored again in the 79th minute and after Montreat pulled within 3-2, added his fourth goal of the match in the 85th minute, this one from Jonathan Ricketts.

Clarke has 14 goals and six assists this season for the Lions.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Chattanooga’s Arnold garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chattanooga’s Chloe Arnold posted a hat trick in the road win for the Mocs, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Bristol, Tenn., native scored on an assist from Catherine Meyer in the seventh minute and added an unassisted goal, banging the shot off the left post, in the 11th minute, giving the Mocs an early lead. The freshman collected her first career hat trick and the first by a Chattanooga player since 2015 in the 108th minute, slotting her shot into the left corner of the net for the overtime win.

Arnold has seven goals of the team’s 13 goals this season to lead the Mocs.

VOLLEYBALL: Maryville’s Haller named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Nia Haller was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, posting two double-doubles and averaging 12.0 kills and 18.7 digs in three matches for the Scots.

The Maryville, Tenn., native tallied a career-high 25 digs and added eight kills against Covenant College. The senior then collected 13 kills and 11 assists in a 3-1 victory over Emory & Henry, hitting .464 for the match.

Haller registered 15 kills and added 20 digs, her third 20-dig outing of the season, hitting .542 in a 3-1 win versus Agnes Scott. She has a team-leading 192 kills, 2.49 per set, along with 221 digs (second best on the club), 2.81 per set, along with 21 blocks and 19 service aces this season.

TSWA honors weekly award winners - Oct. 10

October 10, 2017 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Memphis’ Ferguson, Tennessee State’s Sellers earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson and Tennessee State’s Vincent Sellers were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 2-8.

Ferguson set career-bests for completions, attempts, yards and touchdown passes in a 70-31 road win at Connecticut. The Matthews, N.C., native completed 34-of-48 passes for 431 yards and seven touchdowns with no completions over 40 yards. He tossed TD passes for four different receivers and helped the Tigers pull away from the Huskies after UConn tied the game at 21 midway through the second quarter.

Memphis scored 42 of the next 45 points in the contest, including four touchdown throws from Ferguson. It was his second career 400-yard passing game and he tied the program single-game record with the seven TD passes. Ferguson has 1,535 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions through five games this season.

Sellers tied an FCS record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns in the Tigers 45-21 victory at Eastern Kentucky. One play after TSU took a 24-21 lead with 6:53 remaining, the Sarasota, Fla., native stepped in front of a pass and evaded several Colonels for a 34-yard return for a touchdown.

Three minutes later the freshman once again jumped an EKU route and dashed 44 yards for his second score, giving TSU a commanding 38-21 lead. Sellers tied for the team-high with eight tackles in the contest, including seven solo stops, and added a pass breakup in the win. He has 31 tackles with three pass breakups and five pass deflections this season.

MEN’S SOCCER: Carson-Newman’s Karslen named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Tobias Karslen earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, collecting five goals in a pair of matches for the Eagles.

The Kongsvinger, Norway, native netted all three goals in a victory over Lincoln Memorial, posting the game-winner in the 38th minute on an assist from Jonny Le Quesne. He added a goal in the 56th minute on assists from Will Sainsbury-Logan and Ashley Kelynack and scored unassisted in the 84th minute.

The sophomore recorded a pair of goals in a 3-0 win at Catawba College, netting the game-winner in the 14th minute on an assist from Thaylan Silva. He added his final goal of the week in the 82nd minute on an assist by Le Quesne. Karlsen has nine goals and one assist in 10 matches this season for Carson-Newman.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Maryville’s Sipos garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Bailey Sipos collected three goals in four matches with a pair of game-winners, earning the Tennessee Sports Writer’s Association Women’s Soccer weekly honor.

The Knoxville, Tenn., native scored in the 18th minute in a shutout against Berea College. The freshman forward added two scores versus Agnes Scott, posting goals in the 15th and the 72nd minutes. She has 14 goals with three assists this year for the Scots.

VOLLEYBALL: Belmont’s Person named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Arianna Person was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, registering 17.5 kills and 14.5 digs in a pair of matches for the Bruins.

The Lenexa, Kan., native tallied 17 kills and nine digs in a victory at Tennessee Tech, adding three blocks in the road win. The senior followed that with match-highs in kills and digs at Jacksonville State, posting 18 kills and 20 digs in a 3-2 loss.

Person leads the Bruins with 215 kills, 3.41 per set, and ranks second on the club with 155 digs, 2.46 per set, while adding 17 blocks and nine service aces in 17 matches this season.