WHERE ARE THEY NOW?--GC&SU'S JULIUS JOSEPH

Photo caption of Julius Joseph

Courtesy of Georgia College & State University

GLASGOW, Scotland – Former Georgia College & State University basketball player Julius Joseph continues to shine in the British Basketball League. Joseph, a native of London, England, has agreed to return to the Scottish Rocks of the BBL after leading the team in scoring last season.

Joseph graduated form GCSU in 2000 after playing three years for the Bobcats. Despite being under-sized for a college center, the 6’4” Joseph helped guide GCSU to back-to-back Peach Belt Conference Championships in 1999 and 2000, as well as two straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including the Elite Eight in 2000. He was a two-time All-Peach Belt Conference and All-Region selection, and he was the first GCSU men’s basketball player to earn NCAA All-American honors in 2000.

Joseph has been playing in the BBL since graduation and is regarded as one of the top three-point shooters in the league after hitting 43.7% from beyond the arc last season. He also led the Rocks in scoring with 18.7 points per game. He has signed a one year deal to return to the Rocks.“

Bringing back last season's top scorer is a very important step for our club,” Rocks Coach Thorsten Leibenath said in a release on the BBL’s web site. “He is a great shooter, but he can also get out and run on the break. He can pull up and shoot or take it strong to the hoop. Julius will be one of the keys to our game plan in all areas. Julius works hard and comes to play every day. His experience and committed attitude are aspects that I hope will rub off on our younger players. I am really excited to have a current British National Team player on our roster.”

Joseph is currently on tour with the Great Britain national side for the European Championships.

Source: Georgia College & State University Sports Information

GC&SU SOCCER FALLS AT BELMONT ABBEY

BELMONT, North Carolina – The Georgia College & State University women’s soccer team had a tough time in its season opener Saturday, falling 4-0 at Belmont-Abbey College. Belmont-Abbey (1-0), the defending Carolinas-Virginia Athletic Conference Champion, scored three of its goals in the second half to blow the match open.

The Crusaders got on the scoreboard in the fifth minute as Kristin Voirin found the back of the net on a header off a corner kick for a 1-0 advantage. That would be the only score of the first half as GCSU was out-shot 8-2 in the first frame.

Belmont-Abbey scored early in the second half as Diana Stainback scored from the top of the box following a corner kick in the 49th minute for a 2-0 lead. The Bobcats found themselves down 3-0 in the 76th minute after Stephanie Leotti buried a penalty kick, and Lakesha Bell wrapped up the scoring with a goal in the 82nd minute for the final 4-0 margin.

GCSU goalkeeper Meghan Rothenberg was kept busy most of the day, earning 10 saves in 90 minutes. Belmont-Abbey’s starting keeper, Laisha Lentz, tallied two saves in 85 minutes, while Anna Donaldson earned one save in the final five minutes.

Belmont-Abbey out-shot GCSU 18-3, and held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks. The Bobcats will be on the road again Sunday at Saint Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinbrug, NC.

Source: Georgia College & State University Sports Information

AASU VOLLEYBALL SPLITS IN COLORADO

Pirates Split Matches In Final Day Of Mountain Lion Invitational

Senior Traci Knuth sets AASU all-time block record

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 26) – Senior Traci Knuth set Armstrong Atlantic State's all-time blocking record in the Pirates' 3-1 win over Montana State-Billings on Saturday morning at the AmeriSuites Mountain Lion Invitational in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Pirates ended the Invitational with a 3-2 mark after falling to Southeastern Oklahoma in four games on Saturday evening.

Knuth passed former teammate and current AASU soccer player Candice Modlinski with her first block of game four in AASU's 30-27, 17-30, 30-21, 30-21 win. Modlinski recorded 425 blocks from 2001-04, and with nine blocks against Montana State-Billings, Knuth now has 427 career blocks in her four years as a Pirate.

The Columbus, Neb., native finished one block shy of a triple-double, recording a team-high 18 kills and 12 digs to go with her nine blocks. Leah Schmiedge added 14 kills and Stacy Yates added 27 assists. Against Southeastern Oklahoma, the Pirates won the first game, 30-23, but dropped the next three, 27-30, 19-30 and 26-30. Knuth again led the Pirates with 16 kills on the evening. AASU next travels to California where the Pirates will take on Cal State Monterey Bay on Monday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m.

Source: Armstrong Atlantic State University Sports Information

AASU VOLLEYBALL WINS TWO IN COLORADO, SOCCER LOSES OPENER

AASU Wins Two At Mountain Lion Invitational

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 25) – The Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball squad knocked off host Colorado - Colorado Springs in four games, 22-30, 30-27, 30-26, 30-18, to cap a successful day's action in theAmeriSuites Mountain Lion Invitational on Friday.

The Pirates (2-1) dropped the first game to the Mountain Lions by hitting-.045, but rallied back to win three straight to take the match. Traci Knuth again led the Pirates with 13 kills and a .357 hitting percentage,while Rachel Falco chipped in 10 kills. Margaret Thornton notched 22assists and Christina Flores collected a match-high 20 digs for AASU, while Colorado - Colorado Springs was led by Diane Sheldon's 13 kills andJessica Stewart's 47 assists.

Earlier in the day, the Pirates picked up a 30-24, 30-23, 30-21 victory over Georgian Court. The Pirates held Georgian Court to just an .018 hitting percentageon the morning in winning in three games. Every playeron the Pirates' roster saw action against the Lions and Traci Knuth led the Pirates with seven kills, while Stacy Yates tallied 16 assists and Christina Flores notched eight digs. Georgian Court was led by Ann Casado's 13 kills and 10 digs.

AASU wraps up action in the Invitational on Saturday with matches againstMontana State-Billings and Southeastern Oklahoma.

Pirates Fall To No. 9 Tampa In Season Opener

TAMPA, Fla. (August 25) – The ninth-ranked University of Tampa women’ssoccer team won its first game of the 2006 season with a 5-1 victory overvisiting Armstrong Atlantic. The Spartans are now 1-0 on the season whilethe Pirates drop to 0-1.

Shelby Kuni scored the first goal for Tampa at 24:53, but freshman Kristin Burton equalized with her first collegiate goal just six seconds later after a nifty exchange from Lyndsi Stricklen and Omaka Ofuani. Kuni scored just a minute and a half later to give the Spartans the lead, which they would not relinquish.

The Spartans outshot the Pirates, 15-8, and two AASU goalkeepers -freshman Samantha Held and junior Tarra Kohler - played a half and each gave up two goals. Ofuani led the Pirate field players with three shots ongoal on the evening. AASU returns to action on Sunday, August 27, as the Pirates face Florida Southern at Noon in Tampa.

Source: Armstrong Atlantic State University Sports Information

CSU SOCCER WINS IN DOUBLE OVERTIME

Tampa, FL - Heralded freshman Gina Goforth got her collegiate career off to a great start here Friday, banging home her first goal in the 107th minute to give Columbus State a 1-0 double-overtime win over Florida Southern. The season-opening victory is the third straight in the short history of the CSU program. Sophomore Kassy Boivin got the assist on the game-winner.

The game was delayed over an hour by downpours. The heavy rains left the field a quagmire with both teams struggling to find a rhythm."

It was not pretty all the time, but I am proud of the girls for playing well as a team and getting a win," said head coach Jay Entlich. "The field was pretty much a mud pit after all the rain it took and we played extremely well as a team and were able to get a win."

The Lady Cougars dominated the flow of the game for much of the contest, out-shooting the Mocs. The back line of defenders Judith Ospina, Cortney Norris, Sarah Hawkins, and Megan Honig kept the pressure off Monica Sanchez in goal. Sanchez recorded five saves with only two being serious scoring threats.

Entlich also cited the surprising play of newcomers Hillary Holder, Rachel Walthall, and Sam Freedman in the game. "Holder played the entire game in her debut with CSU and Freedman and Walthall both gave us quality minutes. That is always a pleasant surprise when freshmen contribute right away like that," said Entlich.

CSU returns to action here Sunday as they will face Tampa in a 1 PM kickoff.

Source: Columbus State University Sports Information

AASU VOLLEYBALL LOSES SEASON OPENER

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (August 24) – The Armstrong Atlantic Statevolleyball squad opened up the 2006 season with a 3-1 loss to Fort Lewisin the first match of the AmeriSuites Mountain Lion Invitational, hostedby Colorado - Colorado Springs, on Thursday evening. Game scores were30-21, 24-30, 15-30, 31-33.

Despite a long travel day that began at 1:00 a.m. Eastern time inSavannah, the Pirates opened up the match strong against the Skyhawks,hitting .303 in game one to take a 30-21 win. Fort Lewis then turned totheir blocking to win the next two games easily, then AASU had two chancesto send it to a game five as the Pirates served up 29-28 and 31-30, but could not close out the contest.

Fort Lewis recorded 13 blocks on the night as a team and was ledoffensively by Nicole Schwab's 17 kills. Armstrong Atlantic got 13 killsapiece from seniors Traci Knuth and Christine Flores. Carly Lacey notched44 assists to pace Fort Lewis, while Margaret Thornton tallied 27 to leadAASU. The Pirates will play two matches on Friday in the AmeriSuitesMountain Lion Invitational, facing Georgian Court at 9:00 a.m. and thentaking on host Colorado - Colorado Springs at 8:15 p.m.

Source: Armstrong Atlantic State University Sports Information

D-II SOUTH SPORTS FALL PREVIEW 2006--MEN'S SOCCER

Our 2006 pre-season fall sports previews wrap-up with an installment on men's soccer. Predicted orders of finish are courtesy of both the GSC and PBC.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE

1. West Florida

2. Montevallo

3. Christian Brothers

4. Alabama-Huntsville

5. Ouachita Baptist

6. Harding

7. Delta State

Analysis: With the departures of Central Arkansas and Lincoln Memorial, the GSC is down to just seven schools for men's soccer as the 2006 season gets underway. Just two points separated the teams that were picked to finish first and second, respectively; UWF and UM. Montevallo begins the year ranked 18th in the nation, while West Florida hopes to bounce back after missing the GSC tournament last season.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

1. Clayton State

2. USC Upstate

3. UNC Pembroke

4. Lander

5. North Georgia

6. Francis Marion

7. USC Aiken

8. Georgia Southwestern

Analysis: With three squads (Clayton State #8, Lander #14, UNC Pembroke #22) nationally ranked to open this season, and a fourth (USC Upstate) finishing last season with a top 15 national ranking, the PBC once again should be among the most competitive NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. The PBC does add one team to the mix in 2006, as Georgia Southwestern State University of Americus, Ga. begins its first year of competition.

NOTE: National rankings are courtesy of the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

D-II SOUTH SPORTS FALL PREVIEW 2006--WOMEN'S SOCCER

Our pre-season fall sports previews continue with a brief outlook on women's soccer. Predicted order of finish is courtesy of both the GSC and PBC, respectively.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE

1. West Florida

2. Montevallo

3. Harding

4. West Georgia

5. Alabama-Huntsville

6. Christian Brothers

7. North Alabama

8. Ouachita Baptist

9. Delta State

Analysis: Despite an upset loss to former GSC member Lincoln Memorial in the finals of last year's conference tournament, the Argonauts did manage to avenge that defeat in the NCAA tournament, as UWF won 3-1 to advance to the national quarterfinals. UWF once again will have the target on its back in 2006, as the Argonauts were the unanimous favorite to finish on top in the GSC. As for Lincoln Memorial, the Railsplitters are now in the South Atlantic Conference.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

1. Columbus State

2. Clayton State

3. Armstrong Atlantic State

4. UNC Pembroke

5. USC Upstate

6. Lander

7. GC&SU

8. North Georgia

9. USC Aiken

10. Georgia Southwestern

Analysis: Clayton State may be the defending regular season and tournament champions in the PBC, but Columbus State is the team to beat in the conference entering 2006. At least that's what the coaches say. It appears the only real race in the PBC just might be for third place, as both the Lady Cougars and Lakers might find themselves in a two-way battle for the top seed in the conference tournament in late October. After all, both Columbus State and Clayton State shared the PBC regular season title last season, with the Lakers eventually advancing to the NCAA Division II tournament. It'll be interesting to see how things unfold this fall.

FORMER GC&SU PLAYER GOES OVERSEAS

Photo caption of Jeremy Mayweather
Courtesy: Georgia College & State University



MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia –Former Georgia College & State University basketball player Jeremy Mayweather is getting a chance to continue his playing career at the professional level. Mayweather, the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year during his senior season, will play for the Spoon River Bears of the Finnish Basketball Association.

“I’m very excited,” Mayweather said. “I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to play professional ball somewhere. I’m a little nervous because I’m not too crazy about flying, but this is a chance that is too good to pass up.”

Mayweather, a 6’6” forward form Statham, Ga., helped the Bobcats win the 2006 Peach Belt Conference Championship while advancing to the “Sweet Sixteen” of the NCAA Division II Tournament. He was named the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year after averaging 14.6 points and a league-leading 8.8 rebounds per game during the regular season. Despite some injuries in the postseason, he finished averaging 13.6 points and 8.8 rebounds per game for the year. He earned Honorable Mention All-American honors and was also selected to play in the first NCAA Division II All-Star game.

“We’re extremely proud of Jeremy,” GCSU Coach Terry Sellers said. “He has created a great opportunity for himself by setting some lofty goals and dedicating himself to achieving those goals. The team is Finland is getting a good player and fine young man.”

Source: Georgia College & State University Sports Information

D-II SOUTH SPORTS FALL PREVIEW 2006--VOLLEYBALL

Our fall sports preview for the 2006 season starts in earnest with a look at each of the three sports D-II South Sports covers. We start with a look at volleyball.

All predicted orders of finish are courtesy of the respective conferences.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE

EAST DIVISION

1. North Alabama

2. West Florida

3. Alabama-Huntsville

4. West Georgia

5. Montevallo

6. Valdosta State

7. West Alabama

WEST DIVISION

1. Harding

2. Arkansas Tech

3. Christian Brothers

4. Henderson State

5. Ouachita Baptist

6. Arkansas-Monticello

7. Southern Arkansas

Analysis: The GSC may have lost two schools, Central Arkansas and Lincoln Memorial, but one thing that hasn't changed is that North Alabama is still the team to beat. Even so, other GSC programs have gotten better in recent years, including West Florida, which is beginning its seventh season of play. Don't count out Alabama-Huntsville in the GSC East either.

In the GSC West, Harding earned all six first place to get the nod for the favorites role in that division. Don't be surprised if the Lady Lions and Bisons find themselves playing for the GSC tournament title in November.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE

1. Armstrong Atlantic State

2. USC Upstate

3. USC Aiken

4. Francis Marion

5. Lander

6. UNC Pembroke

7. Augusta State

Analysis: After missing the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1999, the Pirates hope to make a return trip to post-season play in 2006, as AASU returns its entire starting lineup from a squad that finished 22-12 a year ago. However, the Pirates will have plenty of challengers, with USC Upstate and USCA looking to mount a serious challenge for the PBC regular season title. Defending PBC tournament champion FMU has a new head coach in Paul MacDonald, who replaces Sonny Kirkpatrick.

SIAC

EAST DIVISION

1. Albany State

2. Clark Atlanta

3. Benedict

4. Paine

5. Fort Valley State

WEST DIVISION

1. Kentucky State

2. Miles

3. LeMoyne-Owen

4. Tuskegee

5. Lane

6. Stillman

Analysis: Albany State will look to win its sixth straight SIAC title, as well as advance to its sixth straight NCAA Division II tournament in 2006.

STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 3

NOTE: A little late, but like the old saying goes, "better late than never". Anyway, here is the third and final installment on the "state of the conferences" with a look at the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, or the SIAC.

SOUTHERN INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE--http://www.thesiac.com

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP

Albany State University (Ga.)

Benedict College (S.C.)

Clark-Atlanta University (Ga.)

Claflin University (S.C.)*

Fort Valley State University (Ga.)

Kentucky State University

Lane College (Tenn.)

LeMoyne-Owen College (Tenn.)

Miles College (Ala.)

Morehouse College (Ga.)

Paine College (Ga.)

Stillman College (Ala.)

Tuskegee University (Ala.)

*--First year in SIAC/NCAA Division II

Analysis: The SIAC will grow by at least one school this academic year, well, sort of. Claflin University of Orangeburg, S.C. will enter their first season in the conference as a provisional member, with just eight sports. With just three women's sports (basketball, softball, and volleyball), Claflin must add at least three more sports to comply with NCAA and Title IX requirements.

On the other hand, Albany State (Ga.) has shown tremenous strength athletically, as the men's teams share the All-Sports trophy, while the Lady Rams won the women's title outright.

STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 2

Our pre-season look at the state of each of the three conferences D-II South Sports covers continues with a look at the Peach Belt Conference.

PEACH BELT CONFERENCE--http://www.peachbelt.com

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP

Armstrong Atlantic State University (Ga.)

Augusta State University (Ga.)

Clayton State University (Ga.)

Columbus State University

Francis Marion University (S.C)--(1)

Georgia College & State University

Georgia Southwestern State University (2)

Lander University (S.C.)

North Georgia College & State University (3)

University of North Carolina-Pembroke

University of South Carolina-Aiken

University of South Carolina-Upstate (4)

KEY:

(1)--PBC member in all sports except women's soccer and men's golf. Both sports currently compete at the NCAA Division I level.

(2)--Beginning first season at the NCAA Division II level. Not eligible for NCAA post-season play.

(3)--Beginning second season at the NCAA Division II level. Not eligible for NCAA post-season play.

(4)--Final season in PBC and NCAA Division II. Will upgrade to NCAA Division I, and join the Atlantic Sun Conference in 2007-08.

Analysis: For 10 years, the Peach Belt Conference was probably one of the most stable NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. But the departures of Kennesaw State and North Florida to the NCAA Division I ranks at the end of the 2004-05 academic year changed that. Now the league must brace for more change, as USC Upstate plans to join its former PBC rivals in the Atlantic Sun Conference after the 2006-07 academic year.

But the upheaval may not end there. With its women's soccer and men's golf programs already competing at the D-I level, the rest of the sports at Francis Marion could soon follow suit. Also, with football set to return to the UNCP campus in 2007, the Braves may also find themselves seeking D-I status in the years to come. With Georgia Southwestern and North Georgia being ineligible for post-season play for at least three more years, it's only a matter of time before the quality of competition starts to suffer. Should these moves occur, sports such as volleyball and men's soccer could be hurt the most, as there would only be four current members playing volleyball (AASU, ASU, LU, USCA), and five with men's soccer (Clayton State, GSW, LU, North Georgia, USCA). If this happens, don't be surprised if the PBC expands west into Alabama to replace those departed schools.

STATE OF THE CONFERENCES--PART 1

D-II South Sports begins its fall sports preview with the state of the three conferences the website covers. First up: the Gulf South Conference.

GULF SOUTH CONFERENCE--http://www.gulfsouthconference.org

2006-07 MEMBERSHIP (15 Schools)

EAST DIVISION

University of Alabama-Huntsville

University of Montevallo (Ala.)

University of North Alabama

Valdosta State University (Ga.)

University of West Alabama

University of West Florida

University of West Georgia

WEST DIVISION

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Arkansas Tech University

Christian Brothers University (Tenn.)

Delta State University (Miss.)

Harding University (Ark.)

Henderson State University (Ark.)

Ouachita Baptist University (Ark.)

Southern Arkansas University

Analysis: The fact that the University of Central Arkansas has left for the NCAA Division I ranks during the off-season came as no surprise to anyone who follows the GSC. But the sudden departure of Lincoln Memorial University (Tenn.) for the South Atlantic Conference did surprise many people. Then again, though, the long trips to far-flung places such as Valdosta, Ga., Pensacola, Fla., and Livingston, Ala. no doubt proved to be a factor in LMU's decision to switch conferences. Could the defection of Central Arkansas and Lincoln Memorial create a domino effect in terms in other schools, most notably North Alabama, West Florida, and West Georgia, possibly looking elsewhere? We'll wait and see.