FOOTBALL: Memphis’ Gibson, UT Martin’s Cherry earn TSWA weekly awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – University of Memphis wide receiver Antonio Gibson and UT Martin’s Cecil Cherry were named the Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively, by the Tennessee Sports Writers Association for their efforts in contests from October 28-November 3.
Gibson set a Memphis and American Athletic Conference record with 386 all-purpose yards in a win over SMU, scoring three touchdowns, all from 50-plus yards. The Stockbridge, Ga., native caught a 50-yard TD pass late in the second quarter and returned the second-half kickoff 97 yards for a score. He posted what proved to be the game-winning points on a 78-yard TD run in the fourth period.
Gibson became the first Tiger since 2008 to score a touchdown three different ways (receiving, rushing, kick return). He finished the contest with three rushes for 97 yards, six catches for 130 yards and 159 yards on three kickoff returns. The senior has 19 receptions for 481 yards and six touchdowns to go with 120 rushing yards and 541 yards on kickoff returns this season.
Cherry helped the Skyhawks to a 22-17 victory over 18th-ranked Jacksonville State, collecting a season-high 14 tackles with 2.0 tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks and five quarterback hurries. The Frostproof, Fla., native recorded a tackle for loss and half a sack along with eight total stops in the fourth quarter on potential game-winning drives by the Gamecocks.
He added three QB hurries on the final two defensive stands, with UTM allowing just three points in the second half. Cherry has 55 tackles with 8.0 tackles for loss and 4.0 sacks along with eight quarterback hurries and five pass breakups in nine games this season.
2019 TSWA FOOTBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 4 – Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Wanya Moton, UT Martin (Defense)
September 10 – Asher O’Hara, Middle Tennessee (Offense); Rondrow Peebles, Carson-Newman (Defense)
September 17 – Jacob Bunch, Maryville College (Offense); Kordell Jackson, Austin Peay (Defense)
September 25 – Bailey Fisher, Tennessee Tech (Offense); Wesley Porter, University of the South (Defense)
October 2 – JaVaughn Craig, Austin Peay (Offense); Darius Williams, Carson-Newman (Defense)
October 9 – Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (Offense); Jovante Moffat, Middle Tennessee (Defense)
October 16 – John Bachus III, UT Martin (Offense); TJ Jefferson, UT Martin (Defense)
October 22 – Kenneth Gainwell, Memphis (Offense); Trenton Cumby, Maryville College (Defense)
October 30 – JaVaughn Craig, Austin Peay (Offense); Wycleff Phanor, Carson-Newman (Defense)
MEN’S SOCCER: Maryville’s Rucker named TSWA award winner
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Maryville College’s Aaron Rucker earned Tennessee Sports Writers Association Men’s Soccer Player of the Week accolades, collecting two goals in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.
The Athens, Tenn., native scored on a header in the 12th minute on an assist from Trevor McDonald to put the Scots ahead. The senior defender added the final goal of the match on another header, this one from a corner kick by John Rakhmonberdiev, in the 79th minute, advancing Maryville to the semifinals of the USA South Conference Championships.
He has three goals and three assists in 17 matches this season.
2019 TSWA MEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 4 – Ben Siri, Cumberland University
September 10 – Tobias Solem, Carson-Newman
September 17 – Kai Miettinen, Maryville College
September 25 – Ben Delisle, King University
October 2 – Johnny Rakhmonberdiev, Maryville College
October 9 – Sofian Maghouz, Carson-Newman
October 16 – Niccolo Dagnoni, Belmont
October 22 – Ben Delisle, King University
October 30 – Ben Delisle, King University
WOMEN’S SOCCER: Belmont’s Garst garners TSWA weekly honor
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Belmont University’s Julie Garst registered Tennessee Sports Writers Association Women’s Soccer weekly honors, scoring a pair of game-winning goals to propel the Bruins to the semifinals of the conference tournament.
The Franklin, Tenn., native netted the game-winner just 51 seconds into overtime in an opening-round victory against Austin Peay in the OVC Championships, becoming the first Belmont women’s player to score in the conference tourney since 2009.
The junior found the back of the net twice in the quarterfinals versus UT Martin, squaring the match at one with an unassisted goal in the 13th minute. She posted the game-winner unassisted in the 81st minute and has seven goals and three assists in 19 matches this season.
2019 TSWA WOMEN’S SOCCER PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 4 – Haley Hopkins, Vanderbilt
September 17 – Shannon Reagan, Maryville College
September 25 – Addie Roemershauser, University of the South
October 2 – Taylor Frizen, Maryville College
October 9 – Niki Clements, Belmont
October 16 – Shannon Reagan, Maryville College
October 22 – Taylor Frizen, Maryville College
October 30 – Shannon Reagan, Maryville College
VOLLEYBALL: Lincoln Memorial’s Walter named TSWA Player of the Week
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Lincoln Memorial’s Emily Walter garnered Tennessee Sports Writers Association’s Volleyball Player of the Week honors, registering three double-doubles and averaging 9.55 assists per set for the Railsplitters.
The Buford, Ga., native posted 28 assists and 12 digs versus Mars Hill University and followed that with 40 assists, 14 digs and three blocks in a five-set win over Tusculum University. The sophomore finished the week with 37 assists, six digs and four kills in a sweep versus UVA Wise.
Walter recorded her 10th match with 40-plus assists this season and assisted on 105 of the team’s 124 points over the three outings. She has 828 assists (8.54 per set) and 232 digs (2.39 per set) this year.
2019 TSWA VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
September 4 – Kaela Massey, East Tennessee State
September 10 – Julie Ward, King University
September 17 – Hannah Flowers, Memphis
September 25 – Meredith Bonee, Maryville College
October 2 – Maggie Mathews, Maryville College
October 9 – Meghan Delaney, Union University
October 16 – Marnie Streeter, Carson-Newman
October 22 – Hannah Flowers, Memphis
October 30 – Meredith Bonee, Maryville College