General

USA South Athletes of the Week - September 14, 2026

  • Football Offensive Player of the Week
    Julien Tabor, Belhaven - The Senatobia, Mississippi sophomore running back ran for two scores in a 45-44 win over East Texas Baptist last week. Tabor carried the ball 24 times for 119 yards while also catching two passes for 36 yards. Through the air, Turner was 13-of-22 for 244 yards and three touchdowns. On the ground, Turner carried the ball 13 times for 77 yards and a score. Also Nominated: Zion Fauntleroy-McDaniel, Brevard; Chris Clark, Methodist; Devin Watson, Southern Virginia.

    Football Offensive Rookie of the Week
    Jimmie West III, N.C. Wesleyan - The New Bern, North Carolina freshman wide receiver caught six passes for 111 and two touchdowns in a 42-0 win over Apprentice last week. Also Nominated: Will Jones, Belhaven; Marvin Reed Jr., Brevard; Brandon DuPaix, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Player of the Week
    Jimmy Byrd, Belhaven - The Mt. Vernon, Alabama senior defensive lineman collected ten total tackles, four tackles-for-loss, two sacks, one quarterback hurry, and one fumble recovery in a 45-44 win over East Texas Baptist last week. Byrd made four solo tackles with six assisted takedowns while his tackles-for-loss pushed the offense back a total of 13 yards. Finally, his fumble recovery thwarted a drive at the end of the first quarter and resulted in a Belhaven field goal. Also Nominated: Will Hadden III, Brevard; Kalil Marcus, Greensboro; Halbert Clark III, LaGrange; Anthony Smith, Methodist; Aarmon Randolph, N.C. Wesleyan; Scott Pese, Southern Virginia.

    Football Defensive Rookie of the Week
    Tyquan Richardson-Battle, N.C. Wesleyan - The Raleigh, North Carolina freshman linebacker collected six total tackles and returned a fumble for a touchdown in a 42-0 shutout over Apprentice last week. Richardson-Battle collected three solo tackles while his fumble returned finished off the game's scoring. Also Nominated: Quincy Jackson, Belhaven; Andrew Phelps, Brevard; Kaleb Genwright, Methodist; Ethan Eby, Southern Virginia.

    Football Special Teams Player of the Week
    Xander Roberts, Belhaven - The D'Iberville, Mississippi senior cornerback blocked an extra point at the end of the first half which proved to be the difference in the final score of a 45-44 win over East Texas Baptist last week. He also recorded one tackle-for-loss and two pass breakups on defense. Also Nominated: Alex Araneda, Brevard; Luke Slagel, Methodist; Jaylon Teagle, LaGrange; Alex Mulauski, Southern Virginia.

  • Men's Soccer Player of the Week
    Gustav Ohman, Greensboro - The Gothenburg, Sweden sophomore forward scored four goals in a 2-0 week for the Pride. In a 10-0 win at Averett, Ohman notched a hat-trick of three scored which included the eventual game-winner. In a 2-0 victory at Piedmont, Ohman tallied an insurance goal in the 81st minute. Also Nominated: Guilherme Barcelos, Brevard; Josh Mott, Methodist; Ehmular Hser, William Peace; Benji Landaverde, Pfeiffer; Lucas Andres Monrabal, N.C. Wesleyan.

    Men's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Soren Deweer, Brevard - The Grand Baie, Mauritius freshman goalkeeper helped the Tornados to a 2-0 record last week. In 180 total minutes played, Deweer allowed two total goals with 15 total saves. The wins came over Spalding (3-1, 2 saves) and Centre (2-1, 13 saves). Also Nominated: Jordi Rodriguez, N.C. Wesleyan; Alvaro Arroyo, Greensboro; Trey Gohr, Methodist; Seth Limbert, Pfeiffer.

    Men's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Guilherme Barcelos, Brevard - The Osasco, Brazil graduate student forward, competing in his first year of collegiate soccer, scored twice with two assists in a 2-0 week for the Tornados. In a 3-1 win over Spalding, Barcelos was in on all three Brevard scores as he tallied one goal and two assists. In a 2-1 victory at Centre, Barcelos scored the first goal of the match in the seventh minute. Also Nominated: Kayden Brimah, Greensboro; Levi Engdahl, N.C. Wesleyan; Tyler Ridley, Pfeiffer; Logan Gubler, Southern Virginia; Chris Rodriguez, William Peace.

  • Women's Soccer Player of the Week
    Molly Ludwig, Mary Baldwin - The Winchester, Virginia sophomore forward scored four times with one assist in a 2-0 week for the Fighting Squirrels. In a 2-0 win over Wilson, Ludwig assisted on the eventual game-winning-goal before scoring an insurance tally of her own. In a 10-0 victory over Averett, Ludwig notched a hat trick of three goals, including the eventual game-winner. Also Nominated: Allye Carter, Methodist; Claire Wagner, Meredith; Samantha Fore, N.C. Wesleyan; Ashlee Kelsey, Southern Virginia; Amberlyn Hernandez, Brevard; Quinn Branca, Pfeiffer; Josie Tucker, William Peace.

    Women's Soccer Defender of the Week
    Gabby Torri, William Peace - The Holly Springs, North Carolina freshman goalkeeper posted a 2-1 record last week with one shutout for the Pacers. In 225 total minutes played, Torri allowed two goals and stopped 23 shots. In a 9-1 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian, Torri played the second half and did not allow a goal with one save. In a 3-0 shutout over Regent, Torri stopped all 11 shots faced. Finally, in a 2-0 loss to Randolph, Torri again made 11 saves. Also Nominated: Anna Hill, Mary Baldwin; Abby Nunez, Brevard; Delaney Thompson, Meredith; Kiera Ferguson, Methodist; Grace Walls, N.C. Wesleyan; Jerusalen Gonzalez, Pfeiffer; Addison Bowcutt, Southern Virginia.

    Women's Soccer Rookie of the Week
    Ava Hooper, William Peace - The Leesburg, Ohio freshman forward scored three times in a 2-1 week for the Pacers. In a 9-1 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian, Hooper scored the game's first goal, just 36 seconds into the match. In a 3-0 shutout over Regent, Hooper once again opened the scoring with the eventual game-winning-goal before following it up with an insurance tally. Finally, in a 2-0 loss to Randolph, Hooper was held without a shot. Also Nominated: Bella Labno, Brevard; Sadie Jones, Meredith; Savannah James, Southern Virginia; Alyssa Lane, Greensboro; Kiera Ferguson, Methodist; Jerusalen Gonzalez, Pfeiffer.

  • Volleyball Player of the Week
    Caitlyn Russell, Meredith - The senior outside hitter from Graham, North Carolina averaged 3.80 kills and 1.20 digs per set as the Avenging Angels posted a 4-1 record last week. The wins came over Roanoke, Sewanee, LaGrange, and Johnson & Wales with a loss to Maryville. Russell posted one double-double to go along with week match-highs of 24 kills, 11 digs, two service aces, and two blocks. Also Nominated: Addison Johnson, Methodist; Ashley Hinton, N.C. Wesleyan; Ariana Noplos, Salem; Aubrey Chesson, William Peace; Jada Thomas, Pfeiffer; Abigail Leo, Greensboro; Emma Fontana, Brevard.

    Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week
    Megan Murray, Meredith - The senior libero from Raleigh, North Carolina averaged 5.70 digs per set as the Avenging Angels posted a 4-1 record last week. The wins came over Roanoke, Sewanee, LaGrange, and Johnson & Wales with a loss to Maryville. Murray posted week match-highs of 27 digs, four assists (twice), and three service aces. Also Nominated: Gianna Borcich, Brevard; Olivia Torres, Salem; Morgan Mayfield, Greensboro; Jadyn Smith, N.C. Wesleyan; Savannah Hovander, Methodist.

    Volleyball Rookie of the Week
    Harper Evans, Methodist - The freshman setter from Edenton, North Carolina averaged 6.43 assists and 2.71 digs per set as the Monarchs posted a 2-2 record last week. The wins came over Hollins and Randolph while the losses were to Roanoke and St. Mary's (MD). Evans posted two double-doubles to go along with week match-highs of 31 assists, 12 digs, four service aces, one kill (twice), and one block. Also Nominated: Elena Bostick, Meredith; Bailey Blackmon, Brevard; Olivia Smith, William Peace; Leigan Lusk, Pfeiffer; Emory Johnson, Greensboro.

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