Eight Student-Athletes Honored for Excellence in Competition
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - The Southern Conference announced its September athletes of the month today, highlighting excellence among student-athletes during the month. The athletes of the month are nominated by each member institution and selected by the conference office.
FOOTBALL - OFFENSE
DeAndre Presley, Appalachian State, Jr., QB
Presley was the offensive catalyst in helping the top-ranked Mountaineers remain unscathed through the opening month of the season. The junior signal caller was highly efficient through the air with 896 yards passing and eight touchdowns while not throwing an interception. On the ground, Presley ran for 280 yards and five additional scores. In the opening week of the season, Presley was named National Offensive Player of the Week after accounting for 365 yards of total offense and four touchdowns while leading ASU back from a 21-point fourth-quarter deficit in a win at Chattanooga on September 4. He finished the month as the SoCon's leader in points responsible for, passing efficiency and total offense while ranking among the nation's top 10 in all three categories
Other Nominees: Terrell Dallas (The Citadel), Aaron Mellette (Elon), Jaybo Shaw (Georgia Southern), Quin Roberson (Samford), Joel Bradford (Chattanooga), Jacoby Mitchell (Western Carolina) and Eric Breitenstein (Wofford).
FOOTBALL - DEFENSE
Torez Jones, Western Carolina, Jr., DB
Jones led the Catamount defense with a Southern Conference-best five interceptions including a WCU school-record - and SoCon-record tying - four interceptions in a road win over Gardner-Webb, adding a career-best 12 solo tackles. The junior continued his strong play in WCU's SoCon opener versus Chattanooga by adding two more takeaways with his fifth interception of the season to go along with a fumble recovery. Jones leads the NCAA with five interceptions on the season, and he has also recorded 27 tackles (23 solo) and a sack.
Other Nominees: Mark LeGree (Appalachian State), Erik Clanton (The Citadel), Blake Thompson (Elon), Brent Russell (Georgia Southern), Bryce Smith (Samford), Ryan Consiglio (Chattanooga) and Ameet Pall (Wofford).
MEN'S SOCCER
Chris Thomas, Elon, So., F
Thomas scored goals in five straight games for the Phoenix in the month of September, including the game-winner against Old Dominion to give Elon its first-ever win against the Monarchs. Thomas notched the game-tying goal in Elon's 2-2 draw against Coastal Carolina and 1-1 tie with Jacksonville. The forward added scores in the Phoenix's SoCon victory at Davidson and in a win over Richmond, helping Elon to a 3-2-2 mark during the month and a six-match unbeaten streak following a pair of opening losses.
Other Nominees: Sean de Silva (College of Charleston) and Alex Caskey (Davidson).
WOMEN'S SOCCER
Martha Hall, Furman, Jr., F
Hall netted five goals, including a pair of game-winners, and added two assists to help Furman to a 4-2-1 record during the month of September. The junior forward scored match-winning goals in victories over High Point and on the road against SoCon foe Georgia Southern while netting two goals in a victory over UNC Asheville. The Knoxville, Tenn., native also assisted on goals against both Davidson and Georgia Southern.
Other Nominees: Kelsey Kearney (UNCG), Sarah Schaidle (CofC), Amy Loughran (The Citadel), Alanna Winsper (Elon) and Caitlin Williams (UNCG).
VOLLEYBALL - OFFENSE
Whitney Russell, College of Charleston, Sr., OH
Russell, a senior from Decatur, Ga., helped lead College of Charleston to a 10-3 overall record and a 2-0 conference start in the month of September. The outside hitter set a school record with 79 attempts against Oregon State. Russell also set the second best all-time school mark with 32 kills in a 3-2 win over Southeastern Conference opponent South Carolina. Russell leads the conference with 3.95 kills per set. Her offensive play earned Russell conference Offensive Player of the Week in the first week of the season.
Other Nominees: Kelly Rhein (Appalachian State), Tatum Jestila (The Citadel), Sarabeth Peele (Davidson), Caroline Lemke (Elon), Kelly Kirby (Furman), Kate Van Dyke (Georgia Southern), Ariel Newman (UNCG), Katie Murphy (Samford), Courtney Barnes (Chattanooga), Paloma Alvarez (Western Carolina) and Catelyn Amende (Wofford).
VOLLEYBALL - DEFENSE
Paula Passmore, Chattanooga, So., Libero
Passmore, a sophomore at Chattanooga, currently ranks 15th nationally with 5.45 digs per set. Her digs per set average also is good for tops in the SoCon. The libero from Merritt Island, Fla., hit the 30-dig plateau three times during the month of September, including a career-best 34 digs at Belmont. Each time Passmore hit the 30-dig mark, the Lady Mocs were victorious, including important five-set wins over Belmont and Central Florida. For her defensive efforts, Passmore was selected as conference Defensive Player of the Week September 20.
Other Nominees: Caroline Sedon (Appalachian State), Paige Johnson (College of Charleston), Jessica Maas (The Citadel), Jennifer Chamblee (Davidson), Ali Deatsch (Elon), Elle Ross (Furman), Ashley Roe (Georgia Southern), Kayren Finney (UNCG), Katie Murphy (Samford), Morgan Cochran (Western Carolina) and Catelyn Amende (Wofford).
MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Ryan Hopkins, Davidson, Jr.
Hopkins, a junior from Greenwich, Conn., finished second at the inaugural Clemson Invitational on September 17. His time of 24:20 on the 8K course was the fastest ever on any 8K course by a Davidson runner by 24 seconds. Hopkins finished second overall while leading Davidson to the team championship over Charlotte and Clemson.
Earlier in the season, Hopkins finished third at the Covered Bridge Open hosted by Appalachian State on September 3. His time of 19:45 on the 6400m course was only six seconds off the leader from UNC Chapel Hill. The race included a competitive field with runners from Wake Forest, High Point and Florida State.
WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY
Lauren D'Alessio, Samford, So.
The sophomore from Birmingham, Ala., has been a top 10 finisher in both of her races in September. At the University of Alabama Invitational, the Samford runner finished sixth overall with a time of 17:33. Her time on the 5K course is the fastest for any SoCon runner this season.
A week later, D'Alessio turned in the second fastest time in the SoCon at the Memphis Twilight Invitational with a 17:38, which was good enough for a fourth place individual finish.
Other Nominees: Brittney Caudle (Appalachian State)
Southern Conference September Athletes of the Month
Football (Offense) DeAndre Presley, Appalachian State
Football (Defense) Torez Jones, Western Carolina
Men's Soccer Chris Thomas, Elon
Women's Soccer Martha Hall, Furman
Volleyball (Offense) Whitney Russell, College of Charleston
Volleyball (Defense) Paula Passmore, Chattanooga
Men's Cross Country Ryan Hopkins, Davidson
Women's Cross Country Lauren D'Alessio, Samford