March 31, 2008
Monarchs Honored as USA South Athletes of the Week
Methodist student-athletes receive weekly conference honors

FAYETTEVILLE, NC- The USA South has announced their athletes of the week. The conference gives an award for Player of the Week and Rookie of the Week for each sport active during the week.

Chris Fletcher has been named the USA South Men's Tennis Player of the Week. The New Castle, New Hampshire senior was 2-0 at number-one singles and 1-1 at number-one doubles last week for the Monarchs. Fletcher earned singles victories over top players from Ferrum and Hampden-Sydney. In doubles action, Fletcher teamed with Matthew Taylor to earn a victory over Ferrum.

Tiffany Tucker has been named the USA South Women's Tennis Player of the Week. The Circleville, Ohio senior was 3-0 at both number-one singles and doubles last week for the Monarchs. Tucker earned singles victories over top players from USA South foes Meredith and Ferrum, as well as, non-conference opponent Hampden-Sydney. In doubles action, Tucker teamed with Jenny Smith to earn the three victories.

Kaitlin Flaherty has been named the USA South Women's Tennis Rookie of the Week. The League City, Texas freshman went 3-0 at number-two singles and 2-1 at number-two doubles last week for the Monarchs. Flaherty earned singles victories over top players from USA South foes Meredith and Ferrum, as well as, non-conference opponent Hampden-Sydney. In doubles action, Flaherty teamed with Leighton Bull victories over Huntingdon and Ferrum.

Rebekah Kelly has been named the USA South Softball Player of the Week. The senior centerfielder from Fayetteville, North Carolina hit .667 (10-for-15) with 11 runs scored, one run batted in, eight walks, three triples and one stolen base as the Monarchs went 6-0 last week. In a doubleheader sweep of USA South rival Meredith, Kelly was a combined 2-for-2 with four runs scored, one run batted in, five walks and one stolen base. In a doubleheader sweep of Virginia Wesleyan, Kelly was a combined 3-for-7 with three runs scored, two walks and one triple. Finally, in a doubleheader sweep of USA South foe Ferrum, Kelly was a combined 5-for-6 with four runs scored, two triples and one walk. Kelly's three triples this week give her ten on the season which is a new Methodist single-season record.

Lesley Hewitt has been named the USA South Softball Pitcher of the Week. The Garner, North Carolina junior appeared in three games for the Monarchs last week, earning a win in each contest. Hewitt tossed a total of 18.1 innings, giving up three runs on 18 hits with four walks and 18 strikeouts. In a 6-0 over USA South rival Meredith, Hewitt earned the win by going five innings without giving a run on three hits with seven strikeouts. In a 1-0 victory over Virginia Wesleyan, Hewitt again did not allow a run in 6.1 innings on eight hits with three strikeouts. Finally, in a 6-3 victory over USA South foe Ferrum, Hewitt went the distance, giving up three runs on seven hits with four walks and eight strikeouts.

Jennie Price has been named the USA South Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week. The freshman from Goldston, North Carolina appeared in two games for the Monarchs last week, earning a victory in each contest. Price tossed a total of 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, none of which were earned, on three hits with two strikeouts. In a 20-0, five-inning, win over USA South foe Meredith, Price pitched the first three innings, giving up one hit with one strikeout. In an 8-7 win over Virginia Wesleyan, Price entered in the seventh inning with Methodist down a run. The Monarchs proceeded to tie the score and eventually win as Price finished with 3.1 innings pitched, giving up two unearned runs on two hits with one strikeout.

Nick Bova has been selected as the USA South Golfer of the Week. The senior from Bloomington, Illinois shot a four-under par 210 to win the Marine Corps Intercollegiate in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina this past weekend. Bova led the Monarchs to another first place finish in the three-day tournament which featured four USA South squads. Bova began the tournament with a three-under par 69 on the Gold Course, then a four-under par 66 on the Scarlet Course before finishing with a three-over par 75 back on the Gold Course. The win is Bova's third of the spring.

For more information on the USA South Athletic Conference visit: www.usasouth.net