Football

USA South Athletes of the Week - November 3, 2025

  • Football Offensive Player of the Week
    Brock Morris, Belhaven - The Jackson, Mississippi senior quarterback accounted for five touchdowns, four through the air and one on the ground, and 268 total yards in a 41-19 win over USA South foe Southern Virginia last week. Morris was 14-for-29 passing for 195 yards while rushing for 73 yards on four carries. Also Nominated: Connor Cash, Huntingdon; Henry Brodnax, LaGrange, CJ Ferguson, Methodist; Michael Pannell, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
    Braylon Knapp, N.C. Wesleyan - The Perquimans, North Carolina freshman quarterback tossed four touchdowns in a 48-17 win over USA South rival Methodist last week. Knapp was 9-for-16 through the air for 183 yards while also rushing for 19 yards on four carries. Also Nominated: Julien Tabor, Brevard; Camron Torrence-Kelly, Greensboro; Landon Pace, Huntingdon; Marcus Price, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Player of the Week
    Ty Smith, Southern Virginia - The Pleasant Grove, Utah sophomore safety collected 15 total tackles, 12 of which were unassisted with three resulting in a loss, one interception, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble in a 41-19 loss to USA South foe Belhaven last week. His interception came in the second quarter in a one-score game but the Knight offense was unable to take advantage. The forced fumble occurred in the third quarter while the game was still in doubt but, again, the SVU offense was denied. Also Nominated: Wyatt Beck, Belhaven; Baylee Ramey, Brevard; Cameron Cooper, Huntingdon; Ched Smith, LaGrange.

    Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
    Donell Williams, LaGrange - The Bessemer, Alabama freshman defensive back put the finishing touch on a 49-20 victory over USA South foe Greensboro last week by returning a fourth quarter interception 71 yards for a touchdown. Williams also had one tackle in the game which resulted in a loss of one yard. Also Nominated: DJ Stevenson, Brevard; Cade Hanson, Southern Virginia.

    Football Special Teams Player of the Week
    Hayden Vandegriff, Brevard - The Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia freshman place kicker was perfect on all his attempts last week in a 32-26 loss to USA South foe Huntingdon. Vandegriff was a perfect 4-for-4 on his field goal attempts, connecting from 25-, 39-, 23-, 24-yards out. He was also 2-for-2 on point-after-touchdown attempts. Also Nominated: Kyle Norris, Belhaven.

  • Men's Soccer Player of the Week
    Barrett Owens, Pfeiffer - The Inman, South Carolina freshman midfielder scored the eventual game-winning goal in the team's lone contest last week, a 1-0 win over USA South foe Brevard to give the Falcons the USA South regular season championship. Owens smashed a shot into the upper corner of the net in the 52nd minute and the Pfeiffer defense held on to grab the victory. Also Nominated: Tate Hickman, Southern Virginia; Eddie Hemmington, Greensboro.

    Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Jacob Westermark, N.C. Wesleyan - The Sundbyberg, Sweden sophomore goalkeeper posted a shutout in the team's lone contest last week, a scoreless draw against USA South foe Methodist. Westermark stopped all five shots he faced to earn the clean sheet. Also Nominated: Alvaro Hermosa, Greensboro; Seth Limbert, Pfeiffer.

    Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Barrett Owens, Pfeiffer - The Inman, South Carolina freshman midfielder scored the eventual game-winning goal in the team's lone contest last week, a 1-0 win over USA South foe Brevard to give the Falcons the USA South regular season championship. Owens smashed a shot into the upper corner of the net in the 52nd minute and the Pfeiffer defense held on to grab the victory. Also Nominated: Tate Hickman, Southern Virginia; Eddie Hemmington, Greensboro; Jack Mudd, N.C. Wesleyan.

  • Women's Soccer Player of the Week
    Delin Peterson, Southern Virginia - The Queen Creek, Arizona freshman forward scored twice, including the eventual game-winner, in the team's only regular season contest last week, a 4-1 win over USA South foe Mary Baldwin. Peterson scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 36th minute before netting an insurance tally in the 86th minute. Also Nominated: Mikayla Zvekan, Brevard; Trinity Robinson, Greensboro.

    Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Shyann Hansen, Greensboro - The Elkridge, Maryland freshman goalkeeper posted a shutout in the team's only regular season contest last week, a 4-0 win over Salem. Hansen earned the clean sheet by stopping all three shots on goal. Also Nominated: Nico Arroyo, Brevard; Hailey Gadd, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Delin Peterson, Southern Virginia - The Queen Creek, Arizona freshman forward scored twice, including the eventual game-winner, in the team's only regular season contest last week, a 4-1 win over USA South foe Mary Baldwin. Peterson scored the eventual game-winning goal in the 36th minute before netting an insurance tally in the 86th minute. Also Nominated: Audrey Welker, Brevard; Camryn Marcondes, Greensboro.

  • Volleyball Player of the Week
    Payton Shiflet, Greensboro - The senior outside hitter from Asheboro, North Carolina averaged 5.40 points, 4.90 kills, and 2.50 digs per set as the Pride posted a 3-0 record last week with wins over USA South foes Salem and Meredith, along with a victory over Averett, to clinch the USA South regular season championship. Shiflet posted one double-double along with week match-highs of 20 kills, 12 digs, three service aces, one assist (twice), and one block. Also Nominated: Aubrey Packer, Southern Virginia; Aspen Bradley, Salem; Jamie Holton, Methodist; Gabi Gama, Pfeiffer; Caroline Moon, Brevard.

    Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
    Gracie Payne, William Peace - The junior libero from Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina averaged 6.50 digs and 1.20 assists per set as the Pacers posted 1-2 record last week against USA South foes with a win over N.C. Wesleyan and losses to Southern Virginia and Pfeiffer. Payne posted week match-highs of 34 digs, seven assists, and two service aces. Also Nominated: Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro; Mary Miller, Methodist; Madison Bozarth, Salem; Megan Murray, Meredith; Alexa Ammerman, Mary Baldwin; Kylie Katcher, Brevard; Madison Tate, Pfeiffer.

    Volleyball Rookie of the Week
    Charleigh Anne Hewett, Methodist - The freshman setter from Whiteville, North Carolina averaged 6.17 assists and 1.00 digs per set as the Monarchs posted a 3-0 record last week with wins over USA South foes Meredith, Brevard, and Mary Baldwin. Hewett posted week match-highs of 31 assists, five digs, and three service aces. Also Nominated: Talia Quinn, Mary Baldwin; Kathryn Nguyen, Mary Baldwin; Polly Lennie, Salem; Abigail Kelly, Brevard; Alyssa Sava, William Peace; Anasty Faavesi, Pfeiffer.

PLEASE NOTE: At least half of the teams in a sport must have competed within the previous week for honors to be awarded.