Duke, Featured stories, The skinny, UNC

Four Heels, three Devils take All-America field hockey honors

Leave a comment

uncfieldhockey3Fifteen Atlantic Coast Conference field hockey student-athletes earned 2014 All-America honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association, the organization announced Monday. The total is the most for any conference in the nation.

All seven ACC teams had at least one player recognized, led by North Carolina which had a national-best four All-Americans. Duke and Syracuse had three players selected, followed by Wake Forest with two and Boston College, Louisville, and Virginia with one each.

Of the 16-member first team, seven are from ACC schools with two from Syracuse and one each from Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia, and Wake Forest. Four league representatives are on the second team, and four garnered third team honors.

Wake Forest’s Anna Kozniuk is the 14th player in league history to earn four career All-America honors. Boston College’s Emma Plasters, and North Carolina’s Charlotte Craddock and Emily Wold were recognized for the third time.

North Carolina’s field hockey team was ranked No. 1 before losing 3-2 to No. 4 Syracuse in an NCAA semifinal game less than two weeks ago. It was the second year in a row that UNC has been eliminated in a penalty shootout following 70 minutes of regulation and two 15-minute overtime periods. The Heels finished the season 19-4.

ACC on the 2014 NFHCA All-America Teams

First Team

Emma Plasteras, Boston College

Alyssa Voelmle, Louisville

Emily Wold, North Carolina

Alyssa Manley, Syracuse

Emma Russell, Syracuse

Tara Vittese, Virginia

Anna Kozniuk, Wake Forest

Second Team

Aileen Johnson, Duke

Lauren Blazing, Duke

Charlotte Craddock, North Carolina

Samantha Travers, North Carolina

Third Team

Abby Beltrani, Duke

Nina Notman, North Carolina

Lieke Visser, Syracuse

Georgia Holland, Wake Forest

Duke, Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

ACC proposal would allow loss-of-value insurance

Leave a comment

accteamsThe Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday announced three legislative proposals that have been submitted to the NCAA as part of the recently adopted Division I autonomy process as approved by the league’s Council of Presidents.

The proposals focus on the issues of cost of attendance, loss-of-value insurance and scholarship renewal. The ACC will work with the NCAA to finalize legislative language in anticipation of the January NCAA Convention.

“The ACC’s continued discussions related to enhancing the student-athletes’ experience has resulted in our submission of three legislative proposals,” said Donna E. Shalala, Chair of the ACC Council of Presidents and President of the University of Miami.

“These three proposals create a pathway to additional benefits for student-athletes, which continues to be the top-priority,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Our Council of Presidents and membership will continue to explore ways to enhance our student-athletes’ experience within the collegiate model.”

A brief synopsis of the proposals submitted by the ACC follows:

Cost of attendance: This proposal will permit an institution to provide an athletics scholarship to any student-athlete up to their cost of attendance at the institution. The cost of attendance figure shall be determined using federal regulations and in a manner consistent with institutional policies for the establishment of the value for all students. This proposal will be permissive and apply to student-athletes in all sports. The effective date would by August 1, 2015 and agreements may be executed prior to that date to take effect in the 2015-16 academic year.

Loss-of-value insurance: This proposal is intended to permit a student-athlete to borrow against his or her future earnings potential to obtain loss-of-value insurance. The proposal will make the treatment of loss-of-value insurance consistent with that of disability insurance. The effective date would be immediate.

Scholarship renewal: This proposal precludes an institution from not renewing a student-athlete’s athletic scholarship for athletics performance or injury reasons, even after the period of the award. The effective date would be Aug. 1, 2015.

Duke, N.C. State, UNC

Duke places four on All-ACC football first team

Leave a comment

allaccfootballThe Triangle ACC teams aren’t particularly well represented in the post-regular season All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team as voted on by the ACC sportswriters and announced Monday. However, Duke did manage four first-team selections.

The Blue Devils’ Jamison Crowder took two of those spots – one at wide receiver and one at special teams player. Duke guard Laken Tomlinson was named to the first-team offense while linebacker David Helton was named to the first-team defense.

N.C. State senior punter Wil Baumann was the only other Triangle area team player to make first team.

UNC quarterback Marquis Williams made the second team as did Duke safety Jeremy Cash.

Duke and North Carolina were well represented on the third team offense with honors going to Duke’s Takoby Cofield (tackle), Matt Skura (center), Ross Martin (kicker), DeVon Edwards (special teams) and North Carolina’s Ryan Switzer (receiver) and Landon Turner (guard).

There were a number of honorable mentions, which you will see listed at the bottom of the article.

Atlantic Division champion Florida State led the 2014 All-ACC Football Team voted on by the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association (ACSMA).

The defending national champion and nationally-second-ranked Seminoles placed 17 members on the squad, including 10 first-team selections, as voted upon by 55 ACSMA members. Coastal Division runner-up Duke had nine players overall selected, including four on the first team. Eight student-athletes were chosen from Virginia, while Coastal Division champion Georgia Tech followed with seven and Clemson, Louisville and Miami each placed six student-athletes on the squad.

Each of the ACC’s 14 football member schools placed at least one player on the first-, second- or third teams.

The All-ACC offensive first team features a number of national leaders at their positions, including the reigning Heisman Trophy winner in Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston and Seminoles offensive lineman Cameron Erving, the ACC’s two-time Jacobs Blocking Trophy recipient.

The first team also boasts the ACC’s top two rushers in Pitt’s James Conner (fourth nationally with 1,675 yards and second nationally with an ACC-record 24 rushing touchdowns) and Miami’s Duke Johnson (11th nationally with 1,520 yards and 13 total TDs).

FSU’s Winston, who leads the ACC in passing yardage (3,250 yards) and total offense (302.3 yards per game) is joined on the first team by Seminole teammate Rashad Greene, who leads the league in receiving (1,183 yards on 86 catches). The All-ACC first-team receiving corps features two other repeat performers from the 2013 squad in Duke’s Crowder (78 receptions for 942 yards) and Pitt’s Tyler Boyd (69 catches for 1,149 yards and eight TDs).

Crowder was also selected to the first team as a kick returner and is one of three players who earned All-ACC honors at two positions. FSU’s Erving was chosen at both first-team offensive tackle and second-team center. Pitt’s Boyd was selected as a first-team receiver and a second-team kick returner.

The defensive first team features Louisville safety Gerod Holliman, who tied a national record with 14 interceptions in the Cardinals’ 12 regular-season games. One of the defensive end spots is manned by Clemson grad student Vic Beasley, who leads the ACC this season with 11 quarterback sacks and leads all active FBS players in career sacks with 32. The first team also includes the ACC’s leading tackler in Duke’s Helton (10.4 per game).

The kicking game is well-represented with 2013 Lou Groza Award winner Roberto Aguayo of Florida State (22-of-24 field goals, 49-of-49 on extra points) earning a spot on first team. NC State punter Baumann, who ranks seventh nationally with a 45.3 average per kick, was voted first team at his position.

Twenty-two student-athletes chosen to the 2014 All-ACC Football team by ACSMA are repeat selections from last season.

2014 All-ACC Football Team

(As voted upon by ACSMA; Listed by position and total points. Capital Sports’ ballot for first and second team is in parentheses.)

1st Team Offense

WR Rashad Greene, Sr., Florida State…….. 157
(Rashad Greene)
WR Jamison Crowder, Sr., Duke ……………. 150
(Jamison Crowder)
WR Tyler Boyd, So., Pitt ……………………….. 149
(Tyler Boyd)
TE Nick O’Leary, Sr., Florida State ………. 131
(Clive Walford, Miami)
T Cameron Erving, Sr.-R., Florida State 133
(Cameron Erving)
T T.J. Clemmings, Sr.-R, Pitt………………… 90
(Sean Hickey, Syracuse)
G Laken Tomlinson, Sr.-R, Duke ………… 114
(Laken Tomlinson)
G Tre’ Jackson, Sr., Florida State ………. 121
(David Beasley, Clemson)
C Andy Gallik, Sr.-R, Boston College ….. 105
(Andy Gallik)
QB Jameis Winston, So.-R, Florida State 142
(Jameis Winston)
RB James Conner, So., Pitt …………………… 164
(James Conner)
RB Duke Johnson, Jr., Miami ………………. 159
(Duke Johnson)
K Roberto Aguayo, So.-R, Florida State.. 153
(Roberto Aguayo)
Sp. Jamison Crowder, Sr., Duke ……………… 86

2nd Team Offense

WR Phillip Dorsett, Sr.-R, Miami……………… 96
(Phillip Dorsett)
WR Mike Williams, So., Clemson…………………… 84
(Mike Williams)
WR Artavis Scott, Fr., Clemson ……………… 80
(Artavis Scott)
TE Clive Walford, Sr.-R, Miami ……………. 101
(Nick O’Leary, FSU)
T Ereck Flowers, Jr., Miami …………………. 69
(TJ Clemmons, Pitt)
T Jamon Brown, Sr., Louisville ……………. 50
(Jamon Brown)
G Shaquille Mason, Sr., Georgia Tech… 102
(Tre’ Jackson, FSU)
G Josue Matias, Jr., Florida State………… 48
(Landon Turner, UNC)
C Cameron Erving, Sr.-R, Florida State…. 71
(Shane McDermott, Miami)
QB Marquise Williams, Jr., North Carolina. 89
(Marquise Williams)
RB Zach Laskey, Sr., Georgia Tech…………… 69
(Zach Laskey)
RB Dalvin Cook, So., Florida State …………. 63
(Shadrach Thornton, NC State)
K Ian Frye, Jr.-R, Virginia……………………… 67
(Ross Martin, Duke)
Sp. Tyler Boyd, So., Pitt ………………………… 58

3rd Team Offense

WR DeAndre Smelter, Sr.-R, Georgia Tech…………. 72

WR DeVante Parker, Sr., Louisville…………… 62

WR Ryan Switzer, So., North Carolina …….. 54

TE Bucky Hodges, Fr.-R, Virginia Tech …… 38

T Sean Hickey, Sr., Syracuse………………… 48

T (tie)Bobby Hart, Sr., Florida State…………… 42

(tie)Seth Betancourt, Sr.-R, Boston College 42

(tie)Takoby Cofield, Sr.-R, Duke………………. 42

G Landon Turner, Jr., North Carolina …… 42

G Matt Rotheram, Sr.-R, Pitt………………. 42

C Matt Skura, Jr.-R, Duke ……………………. 44

QB Justin Thomas,So., Georgia Tech………. 35

RB Kevin Parks, Sr., Virginia…………………… 60

RB Jon Hilliman, Fr., Boston College……….. 51

K Ross Martin, Jr., Duke……………………….. 48

Sp. DeVon Edwards, So., Duke ………………. 48

Honorable Mention/Offense (20 or more points):

QB–Brad Kaaya, Miami (21). RB–Shadrach Thornton, NC State (33); Synjyn Days, Georgia Tech (24). WR–Isaiah Ford, Virginia Tech (24); Mack Hollins, North Carolina (20). TE–Cam Serigne, Wake Forest (25). T–Bryan Chamberlain, Georgia Tech (40); Ian Silberman, Boston College (35); G–David Beasley, Clemson (39); Bobby Vardaro, Boston College (34); John Miller, Louisville (31); Jon Feliciano, Miami (30); Kalon Davis, Clemson (28). C–Shane McDermott, Miami (36); Freddie Burden, Georgia Tech (35); Jake Smith, Louisville (26). PK–Ammon Lakip (32), Clemson; SP–Rashad Greene, Florida State (37); Darius Jennings, Virginia (28); Ryan Switzer, North Carolina (23); Jamal Golden, Georgia Tech (20).

1st Team Defense

DE Vic Beasley, Sr.-R, Clemson …………….. 159
(Vic Beasley)
DE Mario Edwards Jr., Jr., Florida State …. 112
(Mario Edwards Jr.)
DT Eddie Goldman, Jr., Florida State …….. 129
(Thomas Teal, NC State)
DT Grady Jarrett, Sr., Clemson ……………… 127
(Grady Jarrett)
LB Denzel Perryman, Sr., Miami …………… 145
(Denzel Perryman)
LB David Helton, Sr., Duke …………………… 104
(David Helton)
LB Stephone Anthony, Sr., Clemson ……………….. 101
(Terrence Smith, FSU)
CB Kendall Fuller, So., Virginia Tech ……… 119
(Garry Peters, Clemson)
CB P.J. Williams, Jr., Florida State …………. 105
(P.J. Williams)
S Gerod Holliman, So.-R Louisville ……… 132
(Gerod Holliman)
S Jalen Ramsey, So., Florida State ………… 92
(Jeremy Cash, Duke)
P Wil Baumann, Sr., NC State ……………… 108
(Alexander Kinal, Wake Forest)

2nd Team Defense

DE Dadi Nicolas, Jr.-R, Virginia Tech ………. 101
(KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech)
DE Eli Harold, Jr., Virginia……………………….. 65
(Eli Harold)
DT Adam Gotsis, Jr., Georgia Tech…………………… 48
(David Dean, Virginia)
DT Tylor Harris, Jr., Wake Forest…………….. 43
(Corey Marshall, Virginia Tech)
LB Terrance Smith, Jr.-R, Florida State ……. 82
(Cameron Lynch, Syracuse)
LB Lorenzo Mauldin, Sr., Louisville …………. 79
(Lorenzo Mauldin)
LB(Tie)Henry Coley, Sr.-R, Virginia …………….. 68
(Anthony Gonzalez, Pitt)
LB(Tie)Quayshawn Nealy, Sr.-R, Georgia Tech 68
(Jeff Schoettmer, UNC)
CB Garry Peters Sr., Clemson ………………… 63
(Kendall Fuller, Virginia Tech)
CB Maurice Canady Jr., Virginia ……………… 56
(Brian Walker, UNC)
S Jeremy Cash, Jr.-R, Duke …………………… 83
(Jamal Golden, Georgia Tech)
S Quin Blanding, Fr., Virginia………………… 71
(Deon Bush, Miami)
P Alex Kinal, Jr.-R, Wake Forest …………….. 86
(Riley Dixon, Syracuse)

3rd Team Defense

DE Sheldon Rankins, Jr., Louisville……………. 45

DE Ken Ekanem, Jr., So.-R, Virginia Tech….. 40

DT Corey Marshall, Jr.-R, Virginia Tech ……. 41

DT Connor Wujciak, Jr., Boston College …… 41

LB Reggie Northrup, Jr., Florida State……… 54

LB Cameron Lynch, Sr., Syracuse……………. 45

LB Max Valles, So., Virginia…………………….. 45

CB Ronald Darby, Jr., Florida State………….. 51

CB Charles Gaines, Jr.-R, Louisville …………. 47

S Anthony Harris, Sr., Virginia………………. 56

S Jamal Golden, Jr., Georgia Tech………….. 43

P Justin Vogel, So., Miami …………………… 40

Honorable Mention/Defense (20 or more points):

DE–Art Norman, NC State (25); KeShun Freeman, Georgia Tech (23); Anthony Chickillo, Miami (21); B.J. Dubose, Louisville (20); DT–Olsen Pierre, Miami (38); David Dean, Virginia (37); Luther Maddy, Virginia Tech (33); Nigel William, Virginia Tech (29); Thomas Teal, NC State (27); Ethan Farmer, North Carolina (22); Josh Banks, Wake Forest (20). LB–Brandon Chubb, Wake Forest (30); P.J. Davis,. Georgia Tech (25); Josh Keyes, Boston College (22); Keith Kelsey, Louisville (20). CB–Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest (45); D.J. White, Georgia Tech (40); Merrill Noel, Wake Forest (34); Brian Walker, North Carolina (27); MacKensie Alexander, Clemson (22). S–Deon Bush, Miami (36); DeVon Edwards, Duke (26); Robert Smith, Clemson (20), P–Will Monday, Duke (29); Riley Dixon, Syracuse (23).

Featured stories, N.C. State, UNC

State’s domination sets up 2015 as must win year for Fedora

Leave a comment

uncstateNorth Carolina was coming off a dominating performance over rival Duke and looking for a winning season at home against rival NC State, who came into the game with only two conference wins.

Instead, NC State totally dominated the Tar Heels with long drives, mostly on rushes, to whip the Heels 35-7. The Wolfpack ran the ball 58 times for 388 yards – far and away their best performance of the year.

Just like that – after a Wolfpack 35-7 win – people begin to wonder if Larry Fedora will be coaching the Tar Heels in two years.

“Give credit to their coaches and team,” Fedora said. “They out-coached us and outplayed us. That’s all I can say.”

Of course there were more questions so he did say more. “They controlled the line of scrimmage and that’s why they won the game,” he said, noting that his team couldn’t match State’s energy level.

State QB Jacoby Brissett, who had rushed for just 300-plus yards on the season, ran for a Wolfpack quarterback record 167 in this one game. Only once this season has a Wolfpack player rushed for more than 100 yards. In this game, the Pack had two players rush for more than 100 yards.

Wolfpack coach Dan Doeren told his quarterback, “There are two number 12s playing in this game and I think we have the best one so go out there and show it,” he said.

Carolina started the season as one of the favorites to win the division and earn the right to play presumptive favorite Florida State in the ACC championship game.

Despite record-breaking offensive numbers, the defense faltered and the Tar Heels lost a couple of games they could have won.

After a good defensive effort in upsetting Duke, some thought the Tar Heels had turned the corner and were looking forward to finishing the regular season at 7-5 and maybe 8-5 after a bowl win.

Few Carolina fans care about a bowl game at this point, which will determine whether the 6-6 Tar Heels have a winning or losing season.

Several key players – including QB Marquis Williams, center Lucas Crowley and returner Ryan Switzer – were injured in the game and hampered any chance of a comeback after State scored on the first possession and took a 21-0 halftime lead. It’s not known if they will be available for a bowl game – which will probably be just after Christmas a long way away, almost certainly keeping Tar Heel fans away.

The Pack hadn’t really had a signature win but now they have and they go into next season – and a bowl game this season – with high hopes for the future. Meanwhile, the Tar Heels are underachieving and therefore setting up a must-win season in 2015 – unless of course an emphasis on winning changes into an emphasis on academics.

Featured stories, UNC

UNC finishes tourney with win over Gators

Leave a comment

UNC's Marcus Paige.
UNC’s Marcus Paige.
North Carolina may have only finished fifth in the Atlantis tournament in the Bahamas but after losing to Butler in the first round, the Tar Heels defeated a pair of top 25 teams – first UCLA and now No. 18 Florida. (11/28)

The Tar Heels, who raced out to a commanding 12-0 lead in the first six minutes and led by 16 at the half, withstood a Gator rally that cut the margin to seven with two minutes to go in the 75-64 victory.

“Our defense was in tune,” UNC’s Marcus Paige said regarding the quick start. “And we transferred the intensity from the previous (UCLA) game.”

He said that while he was happy with the way the team played in the last two games, he said he was frustrated that the Heels needed to learn a lesson by losing to Butler in the first round of the tournament.

All five starters scored in double figures for Carolina with Kennedy Meeks leading the way with 18 points and 13 rebounds.

Paige, who hit nine of 10 free throws, finished with 16 points while Austin Jackson, who had four steals, had 12 points including 8 while the Heels were surging out to a 25-8 lead.

JP Tokoto and Brice Johnson each added 10 points.

For more on the game, please click here.

Featured stories, UNC

North Carolina claims 2014 volleyball crown

Leave a comment

uncvolleyball2014The North Carolina volleyball team clinched its first ACC championship since 2008 with a 3-0 (25-18, 25-23, 25-22) sweep over Wake Forest Friday afternoon.

The victory and resulting championship capped an emotional afternoon, as Carolina honored its four seniors before the match started. Chaney LaReau, Lauren McAdoo, Chaniel Nelson and Ece Taner all started and contributed towards the victory that moved the senior class record to 103-22 during their four years so far in Chapel Hill.

“What a great way to celebrate senior day, and to honor those four seniors,” said Head Coach Joe Sagula. “Winning a championship is special and it doesn’t happen very often. It took a lot of different things coming together for us and I am so proud of the team.”

Outside hitter Lauren McAdoo paced Carolina with 11 kills and five digs on a .526 hitting percentage. Fellow senior Chaniel Nelson added 13 kills and two blocks against the Demon Deacons.

In set one, McAdoo poured in six kills on only nine attempts to lead the Tar Heels. Setters Abigail Curry and Jordyn Schnabl combined for 11 assists in the set as Carolina knocked down 16 kills as a team with a .464 hitting percentage.

The first frame was tied until the serve of Taner helped Carolina gain a two-point lead at 12-10. McAdoo knocked down a kill to extend the lead to three at 20-17 and force a timeout from Wake Forest.

UNC then finished set one 25-18 with a block by Paige Neuenfeldt and Taylor Treacy.

After a strong finish to set one, Carolina started set two slowly as the Demon Deacons built a 7-3 lead after a UNC error. A three-point run on the serve of Curry, capped by a block from Neuenfeldt and Hayley McCorkle, tied the second frame at 13-13.

Carolina broke the tie at 22-22 with a kill from McCorkle and then an error from Wake Forest to give Carolina set points at 24-22. Leigh Andrew then knocked down a kill to secure set two, 25-23 for North Carolina.

The Tar Heels cruised out of the gate in set three, pounding 18 team kills on a .500 attack percentage in the set. Nelson poured in five kills in the final frame and ended the match with a kill to give Carolina the third game, 25-22, and the match 3-0.

Paige Neuenfeldt pounded six kills on a .455 percentage, and turned back five blocks to help hold the Demon Deacon offense in check. Leigh Andrew added seven kills and three digs, while libero Ece Taner led Carolina with eight digs.

Hayley McCorkle added three kills and one block, while Chaney LaReau had three digs and one assist.

With the victory, Carolina volleyball was crowned ACC champions after finishing the regular season with a 26-2 overall record and a 17-1 ACC record. The Tar Heels won the last seventeen matches of the year after losing their opening conference game, and only dropped eight sets during the run and 11 sets overall in conference.

“This one is special, and you remember each one for different reasons. We won 17 matches in a row to win this championship, and that is very unique.”

“Without question, this is a very special team. This team has done a lot of great things this year. The highest ranking ever, the highest RPI ever, a conference championship,” said Sagula.

The conference title is the 12th ACC Championship in UNC volleyball program history, and the sixth ACC title for Head Coach Joe Sagula.

The 17-1 ACC record is the best record for an ACC champion since the 2009 season, and is the best record for a UNC ACC championship team since the 1989 squad went 6-0 in the ACC.

Carolina’s overall record of 26-2 entering postseason play is the best winning percentage for an ACC champion in conference history.

No. 7 North Carolina will now set its sight on the NCAA tournament, with the bracket announced this Sunday at 8:30 p.m. on ESPNU. The first and second rounds will take place next weekend at host school sites.

“Whoever is in front of us, we are going to be ready and prepared for. The exciting thing is that there is a legitimate chance we will be playing here in Chapel Hill,” said Sagula.

Featured stories, UNC

UNC plays much better but lineup change much ado about nothing

Leave a comment

Coach Roy Williams.
Coach Roy Williams.
The Tar Heels certainly played with more energy and aggressiveness in a strong 78-56 whipping of UCLA.

Carolina had 13 steals and did a better job of guarding the three-pointer. Perhaps Butler, who scored nine threes, is a better three-point shooting team but UNC held UCLA to one of 14 from beyond the arc.

With only normal starters Marcus Paige and Justin Jackson in the opening lineup, the Tar Heels responded. But while new starters Isiah Hicks and Nate Britt did well during the game, the Tar Heels trailed 16-9 after the first six minutes.

Switching up the starting lineup can energize the benched players – Tokoto, Johnson and Meeks – going forward. While it might hurt their feelings a bit, the three ended up playing more minutes than the starters.

Starting isn’t really that important on a team as deep as Carolina (10 players played at least 10 minutes). But eventually some players will start seeing less playing time as Coach Roy Williams settles in on maybe eight main players.

To read the game story, please click here.

Duke, Featured stories, UNC

Carolina releases statement after players damage Duke locker room

Leave a comment

Bubba Cunningham.
Bubba Cunningham.
UNC football coach Larry Fedora and athletics director Bubba Cunningham issued a joint statement regarding the Tar Heels football team damaging the Duke visiting locker room.

“We would like to apologize to the Duke Football program and Duke University for some inappropriate actions after last Thursday night’s game in Durham. Our team took the celebration too far when they were painting the bell, resulting in damage to some of the facilities at Duke. We take full responsibility for our actions and will be paying for all costs associated with the cleanup. We view this as a rivalry built on mutual respect and we expect our players to behave better in a way that is more befitting of the rivalry.”

The skinny

State’s Kearney wins ACC freshman of the week again

Leave a comment

Kaitlyn Kearney.
Kaitlyn Kearney.
NC State freshman middle blocker Kaitlyn Kearney has earned this week’s Atlantic Coast Conference volleyball Freshman of the Week honors.

Kearney takes home her third Freshman of the Week award after helping the Wolfpack split a pair of conference matches. The Frisco, Texas, native swatted a match-high 11 kills on Friday at Pitt, finishing the match with a career-best .625 attacking percentage.

Last Sunday at Notre Dame, Kearney put down 10 kills on 18 attacks with only one error to record a .500 hitting percentage. For the weekend she had 21 kills and tallied a .559 attacking percentage.

Featured stories, UNC

Three Tar Heels selected as football players of the week

Leave a comment

Landon Turner.
Landon Turner.
North Carolina led the way with three selections as the Atlantic Coast Conference announced its Football Players of the Week on Monday.

North Carolina junior quarterback Marquise Williams was named the ACC Offensive Back of the Week for the second straight week and fourth time this season after leading the Tar Heels’ 45-20 win at No. 25 Duke. UNC junior Landon Turner was recognized as the Offensive Lineman of the Week, while freshman Nazair Jones earned Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.

OFFENSIVE BACK – Marquise Williams, North Carolina, Jr., QB, 6-2, 220, Charlotte, N.C.

Williams accounted for four touchdowns and had 374 total yards of offense in UNC’s 45-20 win at No. 25 Duke. Williams completed 18 of 27 pass attempts for 276 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed 21 times for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

During the Duke game, Williams eclipsed the UNC single-season record for total offense and now has 3,499 total yards. He also set the UNC single-season record for most touchdown responsibility with 32.

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN – Landon Turner, North Carolina, Jr., OG, 6-4, 315, Harrisonburg, Va.

Turner graded out at a career-best 96 percent and was UNC’s top performer in the win at No. 25 Duke. He helped the Tar Heels rush for 315 yards, their highest total since 2012. UNC had three players rush for 95 yards or more, including tailback T.J. Logan’s season-high 116 yards. Turner posted 15 knockdown blocks and did not allow any sacks or any pressures on UNC’s quarterbacks.

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN – Nazair Jones, North Carolina, Fr., DT, 6-5, 280, Roanoke Rapids, N.C.

Jones helped lead a defensive unit that played its best game of the season in UNC’s 45-20 win at No. 25 Duke. Jones had 2.5 tackles for loss, forced a fumble, batted down a pass and had a team-high six tackles.

He forced a first-quarter fumble which was scooped up by teammate Tim Scott and returned for a touchdown. Jones and the Tar Heels held Duke to just 67 yards in the first half in building a 28-7 lead.