TSWA announces players of the week - Oct. 11

VOLLEYBALL: Trevecca’s Buffler named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca Nazarene’s Ellie Buffler earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors, posting 39 kills and 23 digs with a pair of double-doubles in two outings for the Trojans.

The Nashville, Tenn., native tallied 21 kills on 44 attacks (.396 hitting percentage), adding 11 digs and five service aces at Malone University. The next day the senior recorded 18 kills and 12 digs at Walsh University. Buffler leads her team in kills with 245 (3.45 per set) and service aces (49) and ranks third in digs (186).

2022 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 6 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 13 – Taylor Eisert, Middle Tennessee
September 20 – Katie Harless, King University
September 27 – Jordan Vick, Union University
October 4 – Kristen Clemons, Belmont

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Union’s Iorio earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Rylee Iorio registered a pair of shutouts, making 19 total saves in the two outings for the Bulldogs, to garner Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week accolades.

The Columbia, Ill., native faced 18 total shots and collected eight saves in a 1-0 victory over Valdosta State. The senior was even better in a scoreless draw against West Georgia two days later, taking on 22 total shots and making 11 saves. Iorio has posted a 1.25 goals-against-average this season, allowing more than two goals just once. Union has a 4-8-1 record overall this season with seven one-goal losses.

2022 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Mackenzie Smith, Chattanooga
September 6 – Manon Lebargy, Middle Tennessee
September 13 – Veronica Roach, King University
September 20 – Sydney Duncan, Carson-Newman
September 27 – Delayna Holman, Trevecca Nazarene
October 4 – Kelli Beiler, Lipscomb

MEN’S SOCCER: Lipscomb’s Jones garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb’s Malachi Jones was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, scoring two goals with an assist in the club’s only match of the week.

The Freetown, Sierra Leone, native assisted on a Javanne Smith goal in the 18th minute to give the Bisons a 1-0 lead at Mercer. The freshman then found the back of the net twice in the second half, the first at the 71-minute mark for a 2-1 Lipscomb edge and then again just over seven minutes later. Jones ranks second on the club with six goals while adding three assists in 10 matches this season.

2022 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Hayes Wood, Lipscomb
September 6 – Michael Sibley, Lipscomb
September 13 – Jelldrik Dallmann, Lipscomb
September 20 – Kenneth Walton, King University
September 27 – Michael Saunders, Belmont
October 4 – Case Cox, Belmont

Players of the week named by TSWA for October 4

VOLLEYBALL: Belmont’s Clemons named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Kristen Clemons earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors, registering 44 kills with a .396 hitting percentage over three outings for the Bruins.

The Louisville, Ky., native collected 11 kills in 20 attacks and added four service aces at Murray State and followed that with 16 kills and three block assists in a five-set win over Evansville. The junior ended the week with 17 kills in 28 attacks versus Indiana State. Clemons has 185 kills, second-best on the squad, and 56 total blocks in 18 matches this year.

2022 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 6 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 13 – Taylor Eisert, Middle Tennessee
September 20 – Katie Harless, King University
September 27 – Jordan Vick, Union University

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Lipscomb’s Beiler earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb’s Kelli Beiler scored three goals in two matches for the Bisons to garner Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week accolades.

The Mount Pleasant Mills, Pa., native found the back of the net in the 17th minute at Eastern Kentucky on an assist from Faith Adams. The senior scored twice versus Bellarmine, the first on a penalty kick in the 29th minute and again in the 65th minute on an assist by Emily Patti. Beiler is tied for 20th nationally in goals scored and leads the ASUN in goals (8), points (16), penalty kicks (2-3) and game-winning goals (4). 

2022 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Mackenzie Smith, Chattanooga
September 6 – Manon Lebargy, Middle Tennessee
September 13 – Veronica Roach, King University
September 20 – Sydney Duncan, Carson-Newman
September 27 – Delayna Holman, Trevecca Nazarene

MEN’S SOCCER: Belmont’s Cox garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Case Cox was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, posting a hat trick for the Bruins in the club’s only match of the week.

The Louisville, Ky., native scored twice in the first half on headers, in the fourth and 17th minutes on assists from Jansen Wilson. The junior recorded the tying goal in the 89th minute, this one on an assist by John Bannec, preserving Belmont’s 15-match home unbeaten streak. Cox leads the club with four goals in eight matches this season.

2022 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Hayes Wood, Lipscomb
September 6 – Michael Sibley, Lipscomb
September 13 – Jelldrik Dallmann, Lipscomb
September 20 – Kenneth Walton, King University
September 27 – Michael Saunders, Belmont

FOOTBALL: Chattanooga’s Ford, Person earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chattanooga’s Ailym Ford and Jay Person were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from September 26-October 2.

Ford rushed 28 times for 101 yards and two touchdowns in the Mocs’ 24-16 victory at East Tennessee State. The Florence, S.C., native carried 18 times for 89 yards in the second half, helping UTC overcome a 13-0 deficit en route to victory. His nine-yard scoring run 38 seconds into the fourth quarter pulled the Mocs within 13-10 and a one-yard plunge with 1:11 remaining in the contest provided the final margin.

This marked the fourth multi-TD game of the season and fifth in his last six outings for Ford and also was his 13th career 100-yard rushing contest.

Person posted 10 tackles with 4.0 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks along with a forced fumble in the come-from-behind win. The Cleveland, Tenn., native was part of a defensive unit that limited ETSU to 1-of-14 on third down and allowed only three points and 109 total yards after ETSU’s first two drives of the game, including 39 yards in the second half.

2022 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 6 – Ailym Ford, Chattanooga (Offense); Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga (Defense)
September 13 – Preston Hutchinson, Chattanooga (Offense); Quindarius Dunnigan, Middle Tennessee (Defense)
September 20 – Preston Hutchinson, Chattanooga (Offense); Ty Boeck, Chattanooga (Defense)
September 27 – Chase Cunningham, Middle Tennessee (Offense); Zaylin Wood, Middle Tennessee (Defense)

TSWA recognizes players of the week - Sept. 27

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Trevecca’s Holman earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Trevecca Nazarene’s Delayna Holman posted a pair of shutouts in goal over two matches for the Trojans to garner Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week accolades.

The Shepherdsville, Ky., native made five saves in a 2-0 victory over Kentucky Wesleyan and collected seven stops in a scoreless draw at Northwood University. In the process she set the career record for shutouts at TNU with her 22nd and 23rd clean sheets. Holman ranks No. 1 among active NCAA Division II keepers in career saves (372) and is third among all NCAA institutions.

2022 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Mackenzie Smith, Chattanooga
September 6 – Manon Lebargy, Middle Tennessee
September 13 – Veronica Roach, King University
September 20 – Sydney Duncan, Carson-Newman

MEN’S SOCCER: Belmont’s Saunders garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont’s Michael Saunders was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, scoring all three of the team’s goals in two road wins for the Bruins.

The Whitchurch, England, native netted the first goal at IUPUI in the third minute on an assist by Jansen Wilson. The junior netted a second goal unassisted in the 47th minute in an eventual 2-1 victory. Saunders provided the only goal in a 1-0 victory at SIU Edwardsville in the 27th minute on an assist from AJ Chastonay. It marked the first three goals of the season for Saunders.

2022 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Hayes Wood, Lipscomb
September 6 – Michael Sibley, Lipscomb
September 13 – Jelldrik Dallmann, Lipscomb
September 20 – Kenneth Walton, King University

VOLLEYBALL: Union’s Vick named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Union University’s Jordan Vick earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors, registering 71 assists and 26 digs with a pair of double-doubles in two matches for the Bulldogs.

The Camden, Tenn., native posted 13 digs and 30 assists in a sweep at Valdosta State. The senior followed that with 13 digs and 41 assists in a 3-1 win at West Georgia and added 10 kills between the two outings. Vick has 473 assists (8.76 per set) and 152 digs in 16 matches this season.

2022 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 6 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 13 – Taylor Eisert, Middle Tennessee
September 20 – Katie Harless, King University

FOOTBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Cunningham, Wood earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Chase Cunningham and Zaylin Wood were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from September 19-25.

Cunningham completed 16-of-25 passes for 408 yards and three touchdowns in the Blue Raiders’ 45-31 victory at Miami, the program’s first over a ranked opponent. The Knoxville, Tenn., native connected on throws of 98, 89, 71 and 69 yards in the contest, with the 98-yarder tying for the longest completion in school history.

It marked the sixth most passing yards in a single game in school history and the eighth 400-yard passing contest for the program. The 25.5 yards per completion would mark an NCAA record for a single game except without enough completions (minimum 22).

Wood posted a career-high 2.0 sacks with a fumble recovery along with an interception, batting a pass into the air before grabbing and returning it 15 yards for a touchdown. It marked his second career interception and first defensive touchdown. Middle Tennessee held Miami to only 60 rushing yards, posted 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks in the win.

2022 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 6 – Ailym Ford, Chattanooga (Offense); Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga (Defense)
September 13 – Preston Hutchinson, Chattanooga (Offense); Quindarius Dunnigan, Middle Tennessee (Defense)
September 20 – Preston Hutchinson, Chattanooga (Offense); Ty Boeck, Chattanooga (Defense)

TSWA announces player of the week awards - Sept. 20

WOMEN’S SOCCER: Carson-Newman’s Duncan earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Carson-Newman’s Sydney Duncan posted a pair of goals over two matches for the Eagles to garner Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week accolades.

The Athens, Tenn., native netted goals at the 42-minute mark and again in the 68th minute in a 3-1 victory over Wingate University. It marked the first two goals of the year for the sophomore and tied her for the team lead for the Eagles.

2022 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Mackenzie Smith, Chattanooga
September 6 – Manon Lebargy, Middle Tennessee
September 13 – Veronica Roach, King University

MEN’S SOCCER: King’s Walton garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Kenneth Walton was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, registering two goals in a victory for the Tornado.

The New Bern, N.C., native scored both goals in the second half, in the 69th and 79th minutes, in a 3-0 win over Erskine University, both on assists from Weston Joyner. Walton has recorded five of the team’s 11 goals in six matches this season.

2022 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Hayes Wood, Lipscomb
September 6 – Michael Sibley, Lipscomb
September 13 – Jelldrik Dallmann, Lipscomb

VOLLEYBALL: King’s Harless named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Katie Harless earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors, recording 127 assists and 40 digs with three double-doubles in three matches for the Tornado.

The Abingdon, Va., native posted a then career-high 44 assists along with 17 digs in a win at Erskine University. The junior followed that with 36 assists and 13 digs against Lees-McRae. She finished the week with a career-best 47 assists while picking up 10 digs and three block assists versus Southern Wesleyan.

Harless is averaging 9.35 assists and 2.97 digs per set this season.

2022 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 6 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 13 – Taylor Eisert, Middle Tennessee

FOOTBALL: Chattanooga’s Hutchinson, Boeck earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chattanooga’s Preston Hutchinson and Ty Boeck were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from September 12-18.

Hutchinson accounted for 313 yards of total offense and five touchdowns in the Mocs’ 41-14 win against North Alabama. The senior quarterback completed 22-of-31 passes for 303 yards and three TDs and added two rushing scores as well.

The Mason, Ohio, native connected on TD throws of 11, 8 and 30 yards and registered a pair of one-yard touchdown runs. Chattanooga scored the game’s final 21 points after UNA pulled within 20-14 late in the second quarter.

Boeck talled seven tackles with 0.5 tackles for loss and one quarterback hurry. The Soddy Daisy, Tenn., native also recovered a block punt and returned it 12 yards for a touchdown, the team’s first blocked punt for a TD since 2002.

2022 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 6 – Ailym Ford, Chattanooga (Offense); Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga (Defense)
September 13 – Preston Hutchinson, Chattanooga (Offense); Quindarius Dunnigan, Middle Tennessee (Defense)

Players of the week named for Sept. 13

MEN’S SOCCER: Lipscomb’s Dallmann garners TSWA Player of the Week accolades
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lipscomb’s Jelldrik Dallmann was named Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, posting a goal with an assist in two outings for the Bisons.

The Kuhstedt, Germany, native helped Lipscomb remain unbeaten with a 4-0 win over Jacksonville. The senior converted a penalty kick in the 17th minute and assisted on a Malachi Jones goal in the 20th minute. The Bisons played to a scoreless draw with Belmont in their other match of the week. Dallmann leads the club with five goals while adding a pair of assists in five matches.

2022 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Hayes Wood, Lipscomb
September 6 – Michael Sibley, Lipscomb

WOMEN’S SOCCER: King’s Roach earns TSWA Player of the Week honors
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – King University’s Veronica Roach netted two goals in two matches, including a game-winner, to garner Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week accolades.
The Pottstown, Pa., native knotted the match at one in the 65th minute in an eventual 2-2 draw at Southern Wesleyan for her first goal of the week. The junior then scored the only goal in a 1-0 victory over against Francis Marion in the 32nd minute, giving the Tornado their first win of the year.

2022 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Mackenzie Smith, Chattanooga
September 6 – Manon Lebargy, Middle Tennessee

VOLLEYBALL: Middle Tennessee’s Eisert named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Middle Tennessee’s Taylor Eisert earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week honors, posting 172 assists and 31 digs with one double-double in four outings (all wins) for the Blue Raiders.

The Louisville, Ky., native, registered 36 assists and six digs in a victory at Eastern Kentucky to start the week and collected 38 assists and six digs versus Grambling State to begin the Blue Raider Invitational. The junior recorded 54 assists and 10 digs in a five-set win over Belmont and added 44 assists and nine digs in a four-set victory versus UT Martin.

Eisert is averaging 9.84 assists per set through 10 matches this season.

2022 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
August 30 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman
September 6 – Julia Wheeler, Carson-Newman

FOOTBALL: Chattanooga’s Hutchinson, Middle Tennessee’s Dunnigan earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chattanooga’s Preston Hutchinson and Middle Tennessee’s Quindarius Dunningan were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from September 5-11.

Hutchinson accounted for 342 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in the Mocs’ 38-20 victory at Eastern Illinois. The senior quarterback completed 17-of-27 passes for 278 yards and one TD, a 51-yard strike to Javin Whatley just 74 seconds into the second half.

The Mason, Ohio, native added six rushes for 64 yards and two touchdowns, including scoring runs of 20 and 14 yards. He also posted two pooch punts late in the game that were down at the six and four-yard lines.

Dunnigan collected seven tackles with 3.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as well as a pass breakup in the Blue Raiders’ 34-19 win at Colorado State. The Chattanooga, Tenn., native was part of a Middle Tennessee defense that allowed just 249 yards of total offense to the Rams and tied a school-record with nine sacks. He posted two sacks and a pass breakup in the first half, as CSU registered only 62 yards of total offense in the opening 30 minutes.

2022 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 6 – Ailym Ford, Chattanooga (Offense); Reuben Lowery III, Chattanooga (Defense)