College players of the week named by TSWA - Nov. 13

November 13, 2018 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Stockstill, Tennessee’s Taylor earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Brent Stockstill and Tennessee’s Darrell Taylor were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from November 5-11.

Stockstill completed 31-of-40 passes for 352 yards and four touchdowns in a 48-32 victory at UTEP. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native tossed TD throws of 13, 25, 18 and 60 yards, the last one early in the fourth quarter to Gatlin Casey, staking the Blue Raiders to a 42-18 lead.

It marked the 17th career 300-yard passing game for Stockstill, who moved into fifth place on the all-time passing yards list in Conference USA, and pushed his career TD pass total to 98, which ranks fourth all-time in C-USA history. He has completed 220-of-320 passes this year for 2,298 yards with 21 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Taylor posted seven tackles with 4.0 sacks while forcing and recovering a fumble in Tennessee’s 24-7 victory over Kentucky. The Waverly, Va., native collected a pair of sacks in the second quarter and his sack of UK’s Terry Wilson early in the fourth period included forcing and recovering a fumble.

The redshirt junior added his fourth sack later in the final quarter, becoming just the third player in UT history to record four sacks in a game, joining Reggie White (1983 vs. The Citadel) and Corey Miller (2013 at Kentucky). Tennessee held the Wildcats to just 77 rushing yards and 262 yards of total offense in the contest.

Taylor has 28 tackles with 8.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks along with two forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries this season.

2018 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 5 – Brady White, Memphis (Offense); Aaron White, Cumberland University (Defense)
September 11 – Dresser Winn, UT Martin (Offense); Temoris Coats, Carson-Newman (Defense)
September 19 – Jordan Shippy, Tusculum University (Offense); Alonzo Houston, Carson-Newman (Defense)
September 25 – Darrell Henderson, Memphis (Offense); Temoris Coats, Carson-Newman (Defense)
October 2 – Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Temoris Coats, Carson-Newman (Defense)
October 10 – Brent Stockstill, Middle Tennessee (Offense); Jovante Moffatt, Middle Tennessee (Defense)
October 16 – Jarrett Guarantano, Tennessee (Offense); Jordan Griffin, Vanderbilt (Defense)
October 24 – Dezmon Huntley, Cumberland University (Offense); Desmond Fairell, Carson-Newman (Defense)
October 30 – Lor’renzo Pratt, Tusculum College (Offense); Reed Blankenship, Middle Tennessee (Defense)

MEN’S BASKETBALL: Union’s Boykin named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Tyree Boykin earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Basketball Player of the Week accolades, averaging 36.0 points and connecting on 13 3-pointers in wins against Spring Hill and LeMoyne-Owen.

The Clarksville, Tenn., native netted 43 points against Spring Hill, hitting 16-of-25 field goals overall and 8-for-12 from 3-point range. He added two rebounds and four steals in the regular season opening win for the Bulldogs.

The sophomore guard collected 29 points in a victory over LeMoyne-Owen, making 11-of-17 shots overall and 5-for-8 from behind the arc. He recorded four rebounds and two assists as well for Union.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Carson-Newman’s Wester garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Mika Wester posted Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Basketball Player of the Week honors, registering 21.5 points and 6.0 rebounds in a pair of victories for the Eagles.

The Newport, Tenn., native made 11-of-14 shots with a pair of 3-pointers, finishing with 26 points against USC Aiken in the regular season opener for Carson-Newman. She added five rebounds and a pair of assists.

The senior followed that with 17 points and seven boards versus Lander University, connecting on 7-of-13 field goals.

TSWA honors college players of the week - Oct. 30

October 30, 2018 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Tusculum’s Pratt, Middle Tennessee’s Blankenship earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tusculum College’s Lor’renzo Pratt and Middle Tennessee’s Reed Blankenship were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 22-28.

Pratt rushed for a career-high 151 yards and scored four touchdowns in Tusculum’s 41-28 victory over Carson-Newman. The Cocoa, Fla., native scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns and also returned a kickoff 91 yards for a score in the win.

The senior tied the score at 14 in the second quarter with his kickoff return for a TD and a one-yard plunge with 11:10 remaining in the contest put the Pioneers ahead, 27-21. He added a 47-yard TD run just over two minutes later and another one-yard touchdown all but sealed the win for Tusculum with 3:45 in the state’s second oldest college football rivalry.

Pratt has rushed for 341 yards and five touchdowns this season for the Pioneers.

Blankenship registered a career-best 17 tackles, nine solo, adding a sack and three tackles for loss, while returning an interception 100 yards for a touchdown in Middle Tennessee’s victory at Old Dominion. The Athens, Ala., native posted 13 stops in the second half alone, including five consecutive plays in the fourth quarter.

His biggest contribution came on the interception, which turned the tide of the game. ODU trailed 24-10 in the final minute of the first half and was driving inside the Blue Raiders’ five-yard line, but the sophomore’s INT in the end zone and return for a TD staked Middle Tennessee to a 31-10 halftime advantage.

Blankenship leads the club with 63 tackles and has five tackles for loss with two pass break-ups in seven games this season.

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, scoring a pair of game-winning goals while handing out one assist in two wins for the Tornado.

The Chicureo, Chile, native assisted on a Ben Delisle goal in the 33rd minute that tied the match against Lees-McRae. The senior then netted the game-winner in the 107th minute on an assist from Jairo Ruiz Caram.

Three days later Saavedra found the back of the net in the 52nd minute for the game-winner in a 2-1 victory over Barton College, giving the Tornado a home match in the Conference Carolinas Championships this week.

Saavedra has seven goals and four assists this year for King.

2018 MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 5 – Harry Baggaley, Tennessee Wesleyan
September 11 – Ashley Keylnack, Carson-Newman
September 19 – Austin Vinyard, Maryville College
September 25 – Tobias Karlsen, Carson-Newman
October 2 – Harry Baggaley, Tennessee Wesleyan
October 10 – Ben Delisle, King University
October 16 – Daniel Williams, Cumberland University
October 24 – Logan Paynter, Lipscomb

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Trevecca’s Schlosser garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca University’s Makena Schlosser posted Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, recording two game-winning goals along with one assist in two wins for the Trojans.

The Indianapolis, Ind., native netted the game-winner in the 68th minute in TNU’s 3-1 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan, securing the team’s No. 2 seed in this week’s Great Midwest Conference Championships. The freshman added an assist to Madison Carby on the final goal of the match for the Trojans.

Schlosser found the back of the net in the 26th minute for the first goal in a 2-0 win against Davis & Elkins College, her eighth goal of the year for the Trojans.

2018 WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 5 – Miya Lennon, Middle Tennessee
September 11 – Hannah Tillett, Middle Tennessee
September 19 – Rebecca Holloway, Cumberland University
September 25 – Magda Mosengo, Carson-Newman
October 2 – Bailey Sipos, Maryville College
October 10 – Shannon Reagan, Maryville College
October 16 – Amy McGivern, UT Martin
October 24 – Rebecca Holloway, Cumberland University

VOLLEYBALL: Maryville’s Bonee named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Meredith Bonee was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, recording a pair of triple-doubles and one double-double in three matches for the Scots.

The Knoxville, Tenn., native started the week with 15 kills, 15 assists and 12 digs in a 3-1 win against Oglethorpe University. The freshman tallied a season-high 19 kills to go with 21 assists and 10 digs in a comeback win over the No. 1 team in the conference, Huntingdon College.

Bonee finished the week with six kills, 21 assists and 15 digs in a five-set loss to Piedmont College. She has 171 kills (1.92 per set), 415 assists (4.66 per set) and 214 digs (2.40 per set) this season for Maryville.

2018 TSWA WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 5 – Hannah Flowers, Memphis
September 11 – Meredith Boone, Maryville College
September 25 – Brianne Sidner, Maryville College
October 2 – Carlyle Nusbaum, Lipscomb
October 10 – Brianne Sidner, Maryville College
October 16 – Hannah Flowers, Memphis
October 24 – Tristyn Lozano, King University

College players of the week announced by TSWA - Oct. 24

October 24, 2018 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Cumberland’s Huntley, Carson-Newman’s Fairell earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Dezmon Huntley and Carson-Newman’s Desmond Fairell were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 15-21.

Huntley accounted for 202 yards of offense and one touchdowns in Cumberland’s 24-21 victory over fourth-ranked Lindsey Wilson. The Mableton, Ga., native rushed 20 times for 80 yards and one touchdown, including a one-yard score in the third quarter. He completed 6-of-10 passes for 122 yards with a 46-yarder to Denarius Toliver in the third period and a 25-yarder to Toliver that set-up a field goal on the final play of the first half.

Huntley has rushed for 351 yards and six touchdowns and passed for 1,194 yards and six more TDs in nine games this season for the Phoenix.

Fairell posted two interceptions and returned a punt for a touchdown in Carson-Newman’s win against Virginia-Lynchburg. The Miami, Fla., native intercepted passes early in the second quarter and late in the period, his third and fourth INTs of the year.

The junior also returned a punt 70 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, the first punt return for a TD by a Carson-Newman player since 2008. Fairell ranks fifth on the club with 32 tackles along with 1.5 tackles for loss, four pass break-ups and eight passes defended in eight games for the Eagles.

MEN’S SOCCER: Lipscomb’s Paynter named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb’s Logan Paynter earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, netting two goals and two assists for the Bisons in two outings.

The Bradenton, Fla., native assisted on a John Wynia goal in the 43rd minute and scored in the 58th minute in a 3-2 victory over 10th-ranked Louisville. The senior added another goal and one assist in a 2-1 win at NJIT, scoring in the 13th minute and assisting on a Daniel Zapata score in the 72nd minute.

Paynter has six goals and three assists this season in 15 matches. Lipscomb leads the Atlantic Sun with a 4-1-0 mark after the victory at NJIT with one conference match remaining this season.

2018 MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 5 – Harry Baggaley, Tennessee Wesleyan
September 11 – Ashley Keylnack, Carson-Newman|
September 19 – Austin Vinyard, Maryville College
September 25 – Tobias Karlsen, Carson-Newman
October 2 – Harry Baggaley, Tennessee Wesleyan
October 10 – Ben Delisle, King University
October 16 – Daniel Williams, Cumberland University

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Cumberland’s Holloway garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Cumberland University’s Rebecca Holloway posted Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, registering five goals and four assists in a pair of victories for the Phoenix.

The Bristol, England, native scored just 82 seconds into the match against the University of Pikeville on a drive from 20 yards and added a second goal in the 31st minute before posting a hat trick in the 83rd minute, her fourth hat trick of the season. She also assisted on a goal by Savannah Moreland versus the Bears.

The senior scored twice in the first three minutes of the second half against Shawnee State and recorded three assists in the win as well, running her totals for the year to 21 goals and nine assists in 16 outings.

VOLLEYBALL: King’s Lozano named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Tristyn Lozano was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, collecting a pair of double-doubles in three matches for the Tornado.

The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native started the week with 12 kills and 11 digs in a victory against Erskine College and followed that with 11 kills, a career-high 19 digs and four blocks in a win over Southern Wesleyan. The junior posted nine kills and 14 digs against North Greenville as well.

Lozano has recorded 125 kills (1.79 per set), 33 service aces, 183 digs (2.61 per set) and 30 total blocks this season for the Tornado.

TSWA recognizes college players of the Week - Oct. 16

October 16, 2018 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Tennessee’s Guarantano, Vanderbilt’s Griffin earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee’s Jarrett Guarantano and Vanderbilt’s Jordan Griffin were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 8-14.

Guarantano completed 21-of-32 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns in Tennessee’s 30-24 victory at Auburn. The Lodi, N.J., native tallied career-bests in attempts, completions and yards and did not commit a turnover in the win. He tossed touchdown passes of 42 yards to Ty Chandler and 25 yards to Jauan Jennings.

He has thrown for 1,129 yards on 80-of-125 passing with six touchdowns and two interceptions through six games. His 64.0 completion percentage ranks fifth in the SEC.

Griffin registered 18 tackles with one pass break-up for the Commodores against Florida. The Tampa, Fla., native netted 10 solo stops versus the Gators, including eight solo tackles and 13 total stops in the first half when Vanderbilt held UF to just 13 points. He added a pass break-up in the third quarter.

The senior has 68 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss, 1.0 sacks, two pass break-ups, one forced fumble and one quarterback hurry in seven games this season.

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, netting two goals and one assist for the Phoenix in two outings.

The London, England, native posted two goals and one assist in a victory at Georgetown College. The senior scored in the 28th minute on an assist from Bakary Bagayoko and the two switched roles just 26 seconds later, with Williams providing the helper for a Bakayoko score.

Williams collected his second goal of the match unassisted in the 51st minute and has five goals and five assists in 11 outings this season.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: UT Martin’s McGivern garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – UT Martin’s Amy McGivern posted Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, recording five goals with a hat trick in two victories for the Skyhawks.

The Drumaness, Northern Ireland, native netted both goals in a 2-0 victory against Belmont, scoring at the 60-minute mark on an assist from Nicole Collins and again in the 81st minute unassisted. The senior registered a hat trick versus Austin Peay, collecting the final three goals in the match for UTM.

She poked in a rebound in the 17th minute and got an assist from Alice Adams for a goal in the 54th minute. McGivern converted a penalty kick in the 60th minute, giving her 11 goals and one assist in 13 matches this season.

VOLLEYBALL: Memphis’ Flowers named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis sophomore Hannah Flowers was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, registering a pair of double-doubles in two wins for the Tigers.

The Wildwood, Mo., native collected 18 kills and 13 digs in a 3-1 victory against Houston, setting a career-high in digs. She then posted a career-best 20 kills along with 10 digs and six blocks in a five-set win versus SMU, tying her career mark for blocks as well.

Flowers recorded her fifth and sixth double-doubles of the season and her 15th and 16th double-figure kill outings this year in the two matches. She also moved past the 500-kill mark for her career in Sunday’s match. She leads the Tigers with 253 kills, 3.56 per set, and ranks third in digs with 133, 1.87 per set, while ranking second in blocks with 53.

College players of the week honored by TSWA - Oct. 10

October 10, 2018 Forrest Freeman

FOOTBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Stockstill, Moffatt earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Brent Stockstill and Jovante Moffatt were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sportswriters Association for their efforts in contests from October 1-7.

Stockstill completed 25-of-40 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns while running for an additional 31 yards and a score in a 34-17 victory at Marshall, the first in program history in Huntington. The Murfreesboro, Tenn., native was 11-for-15 passing for 101 yards and one TD in the third quarter alone, helping the Blue Raiders erase a halftime deficit and take the lead for good.

The redshirt senior also topped the 10,000-yard mark in the win, becoming one of just nine C-USA quarterbacks to achieve the feat and one of 24 in NCAA history. It marked his 16th career 300-yard passing game. Stockstill has completed 67 percent of his throws for 1,299 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions through five games this season.

Moffatt posted a career-best 17 tackles with a forced fumble and two pass breakups in just his second game of the season in the win at Marshall. The Union City, Tenn., native recorded six solo stops and his forced fumble in the second quarter set-up a field goal that tied the game at 10.

The senior safety was part of a Blue Raider defense that limited the Thundering Herd to 149 total yards and seven points in the second half, as Middle Tennessee erased a 17-10 halftime deficit. Moffatt has 25 tackles with one interception and three pass breakups this year.

MEN’S SOCCER: King’s Delisle named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Ben Delisle earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, collecting three goals with one game-winner in two matches for the Tornado.

The Montreal, Quebec, native netted the game-winner in a 2-1 win against North Greeneville, scoring in the 41st minute on an assist from Jairo Ruiz Caram.

The sophomore added two goals against the University of Mount Olive, scoring the club’s first goal in the 11th minute on an assist from Carlos Saavedra. He added an unassisted score in the 28th minute, as the Tornado scored three times in the first 30 minutes en route to a 4-1 victory. Delisle has a team-leading five goals this season for King.

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Maryville’s Reagan garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Shannon Reagan posted Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Soccer Player of the Week honors, netting two goals with one assist in two outings for the Scots.

The Tullahoma, Tenn., native registered two goals and one assist in a victory at Wesleyan College. The junior netted the game-winner in the 14th minute and posted her second goal of the match just six minutes later. She also assisted on a Lexie Hill score in the 52nd minute.

Reagan ranks second on the club with five goals and leads the Scots with four assists this season.

VOLLEYBALL: Maryville’s Sidner named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Brianne Sidner was named the Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week, registering a pair of double-doubles in three matches for the Scots.

The Marietta, Ga., native posted 17 kills and a career-high 20 digs in a four-set loss at Birmingham Southern, adding two blocks. The junior followed that with 11 kills and 14 digs in a five-set win over Huntingdon College for her fifth double-double of the year.

Sidner ended the week with six kills, 14 digs and two blocks in a sweep against Piedmont College. She averaged 11.33 kills and 16.0 digs per match during the week. Sidner has a team-leading 162 kills (2.70 per set) and 24 service aces along with 163 digs (2.72 per set) and 21 total blocks this season.