General

USA South Athletes of the Week - November 9, 2026

  • Football Offensive Player of the Week
    Aaron McLaughlin, LaGrange - The Alpharetta, Georgia junior quarterback accounted for three touchdowns in a 31-15 win at USA South rival Belhaven last week. Through the air, McLaughlin was 9-of-16 for 193 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground, McLaughlin managed 14 yards rushing with one score. Also Nominated: Favian Williford, Brevard; Chase Altis, Greensboro; Jax Vanchiere, Southern Virginia.

    Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
    Xavier Finley, Huntingdon - The Pensacola, Florida freshman running back ran for 119 yards with one touchdown in a 39-25 win at USA South foe Southern Virginia last week. The win gave the Hawks at least a share of the USA South regular season championship. Also Nominated: Marvin Reed Jr., Brevard; Kendrick Worthington, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Player of the Week
    Ched Smith, LaGrange - The Macon, Georgia junior linebacker accumulated nine total tackles with two sacks in a 31-15 win at USA South rival Belhaven last week. Smith made six solo tackles with three assisted takedowns. His two sacks were unassisted, resulted in a loss of 14 total yards, and set a new program record for sacks in a career (17). Also Nominated: Isaiah Brown, Brevard; Jay Law, Greensboro; Cole Sackman, Huntingdon; Knox Gallini, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
    Knox Gallini, Southern Virginia - The Seguin, Texas freshman linebacker totaled 14 tackles, one forced fumble, and one quarterback hurry in a 39-25 loss to USA South foe Huntingdon last week. Gallini accumulated four solo tackles and ten assisted take downs while his forced fumble was recovered by the Knights and resulted in a touchdown two plays later. Also Nominated: Kenneth Robinson, Brevard; Scoot Colyer, Greensboro; Christopher Sutton, LaGrange.

    Football Special Teams Player of the Week
    Alex Araneda, Brevard - The Montclair, California freshman place kicker set a new NCAA Division III record by hitting a 63-yard field goal in a 48-3 win over USA South foe Methodist last week. The kick obviously sets a new USA South record, besting the previous mark by 11 yards. Also Nominated: James Whatley, LaGrange; Luke Slagel, Methodist.

  • Volleyball Player of the Week
    Payton Shiflet, Greensboro - The senior outside hitter from Asheboro, North Carolina averaged 3.67 points and kills per set while hitting at a .315 clip as the Pride posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes (Brevard, William Peace) to capture the League regular season title. Shiflet posted week match-highs of 13 kills and three digs. Also Nominated: Addison Johnson, Methodist; Ellie Scherer, Salem; Caitlyn Russell, Meredith; Anne Downs, Southern Virginia; Karmen Rion, Pfeiffer.

    Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
    Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro - The senior libero from Mount Airy, North Carolina averaged 6.67 digs, 1.83 assists, and 1.50 service aces per set as the Pride posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes (Brevard, William Peace) to capture the League regular season title. Mayfield posted week match-highs of 31 digs, seven assists, seven service aces, and one kill (twice). Also Nominated: Sadie Lippard, Salem; Megan Murray, Meredith; Baylee Mirabal, Southern Virginia; Molly Wright, Pfeiffer; Savannah Hovander, Methodist.

    Volleyball Rookie of the Week
    Sadie Lippard, Salem - The freshman libero from Randleman, North Carolina averaged 5.67 digs per set as Salem posted a 2-0 record last week against USA South foes (Methodist, Mary Baldwin). Lippard posted week-match highs of 17 digs (twice), one kill, and one assist. Also Nominated: Dilynn Norris, Greensboro; Elena Bostick, Meredith; Harper Evans, Methodist; Emma Line, Pfeiffer; Adah Elam, Southern Virginia.

  • Men's Basketball Player of the Week
    Rashod Smith, N.C. Wesleyan - The Washington, North Carolina senior guard averaged 19.5 points, 7.5 assists (0.5 turnovers), 4.5 steals, and 3.0 rebounds per game last week as the Battling Bishops posted a 1-1 record. In a 95-84 win over Johnson & Wales (N.C.), Smith posted a double-double of 18 points and ten assists to go along with five steals and three rebounds. In an 88-66 loss to Hampden-Sydney (who is receiving votes in national polls), Smith totaled 21 points, four steals, three rebounds, and three assists. Also Nominated: Tre' Williams, Methodist; Sunni Wrice, Pfeiffer; LeCedric Brown, Brevard.

    Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week
    Jamie Dance, N.C. Wesleyan - The Currituck, North Carolina freshman guard averaged 15.5 points and 4.0 rebounds per game last week as the Battling Bishops posted a 1-1 record. In a 95-84 win over Johnson & Wales (N.C.), Dance scored 19 points with three rebounds, one steal, and one block. In an 88-66 loss to Hampden-Sydney (who is receiving votes in national polls), Dance totaled 12 points, five rebounds, and one assist. Also Nominated: None.

  • Women's Basketball Player of the Week
    Zikira Henderson, William Peace - The junior guard from Greer, South Carolina had game-highs of 22 points and seven assists to go along with four assists and one rebound in the team's lone contest last week, a 62-59 win at Roanoke. Also Nominated: Kayleen Grullon, Methodist.

    Women's Basketball Rookie of the Week
    Janiah McBryde, Methodist - The freshman guard from Fayetteville, North Carolina averaged 3.0 points and 1.5 rebounds in a 1-1 week for the Monarchs. In a 56-43 win over Agnes Scott, McBryde scored one point with one rebound and one assist. In a 69-43 loss to Hollins, McBryde totaled five points, two rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Also Nominated: None.

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