Friday - October 30th, 2009
Since October 2001, Charleston Southern volleyball has not beat Coastal Carolina. An obnoxious curse seemed to linger over CSU while playing our conference rival. Sam and I personally have lost to Coastal eight times in our careers here at CSU. That’s eight times hearing your conference rival cheering after the game in the adjacent locker room, eight games ending in complete frustration, and eight games that built up more animosity and vengeance towards Coastal. There are several aspirations graduating seniors desire, and beating Coastal at home your senior year definitely ranks high on the list.
Tuesday night the curse was broken and for the first time in years we beat Coastal. With the support of a hundreds of fans we not only ended our five game losing streak, but also ended the eight year long curse. The game brought new hope for the Charleston Southern Volleyball program and the rest of our conference play. The game was successful on and off the court as well. The event raised $1000 for the Dig for the Cure campaign which benefits breast cancer research. So thank you to all the facility, staff, and students who supported and donated money for this great cause.
We continue our promising conference play tonight at 7 against Gardner-Webb and then tomorrow against UNCA at 2. See you there! GO BUCS!
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come.” -2 Corinthians 5:17
Notes From Nichole - 10-30-09
Weekly Recap - October 19 - 25
An overtime victory, tournament championship and outstanding defensive showing highlight our action from this week in CSU athletics.
After her runner-up finish in the Wendy’s Invitational, Olivia Jordan-Higgins has been named the CSU Athlete of the Week. Higgins shot a first round 70 to take and early lead on the field of more than 80 golfers.
The finish was her first top-10 finish of the fall season, but her second time to break the top-20. The first two-round tournament of the season, her 145 was the best two rounds of the season.
We also considered; Kelvin Day (Men’s Golf), Amanda Hill (Volleyball) and Jena Lalich (Soccer) for the honor.
Oct. 19 – 20 - CSU Fall Invitational – Team Champions
The men’s golf team hosted a tournament at Crowfield Golf and Country Club, and while Kelvin Day ended as the tournament’s runner-up, the team took home the trophy with an 11-stroke victory over Gardner-Webb. Day earned Big South Golfer of the Week honors for his performance, but Day, David Denlinger, Ross Thomson and Jonathan Rustin all finished in the top-10 for the Bucs.
Game Story
TEAM SCORES
PLAYER SCORES
COMBO SCORES
ROUND THREE STATISTICS
ROUND THREE COURSE STATISTICS
Oct. 19 – 20 - Wendy’s Invitational – 7th Place
The women’s golf team also hosted a tournament this week, doing so at Coosaw Creek Country Club. Although Olivia Jordan-Higgins couldn’t hold on for the individual title, she claimed her first runner-up finish of the year. The team finished seventh overall out of 15 teams, including Memphis, College of Charleston, The Citadel and UAB.
Game Story
TEAM SCORES
PLAYER SCORES
COMBO SCORES
ROUND TWO STATISTICS
ROUND TWO COURSE STATISTICS
VB @ Winthrop – L, 3-1
The road has not been kind to CSU, and it continued to get the best of the Lady Bucs this week. Nichole Diller had 10 kills and 10 digs and the defense, led by Cori Holeman had 10 team blocks, but couldn’t overcome a balance attack from Winthrop, who had four different players with at least 13 kills. Trailing two sets to none and 7-2 in the third set, CSU came back and used eight consecutive points to take an 18-13 lead, eventually winning the set 25-22.
Game Story
Box Score
W Soccer @ Coastal Carolina – W, 1-0 (OT)
Anja Djumisic’s first career goal couldn’t have come at a more opportune time as she gave CSU a 1-0 victory with just over :30 left in the first overtime period. The victory ties the school record for wins in a season (12) and puts the Lady Bucs in first place in the Big South. Jena Lalich had five saves and recorded her third shut out in four games.
Game Story
Box Score
Football vs. Liberty – L, 20-13
The defense did its job as they held Big South favorite Liberty to 165 yards of total offense. It was the second only to the 90 posted by North Greenville for the lowest offensive total of the season. A pair of field goals in the middle of the game, as well as an 11-yard touchdown pass from A.J. Toscano to Kwame Krakue tied the game 13-13 in the fourth quarter. For the second-straight week, though, the Bucs surrendered a game-winning drive in the fourth quarter. This time, CSU had a chance and got inside the red zone as time began to wind down. Unfortunately for the homecoming crowd on hand, the drive ran out of time on the 18 yardline.
Game Story
Postgame quotes from CSU vs. Liberty
Photo Gallery
Box Score
VB @ Presbyterian – L, 3-0
There is little doubt that the volleyball team would be perfectly content if they never hit the road again. Their fifth-straight road game, CSU started slowly, and just never could recover against the home-standing Blue Hose. The third and final set had eight ties and three lead changes, but PC prevailed in extra points. Amanda Hill had 10 kills to lead CSU, while Tricia Rodl had a team-best 14 digs.
Game Story
Box Score
What’s coming up?
Oct. 27 – Volleyball vs. Coastal Carolina – 6 p.m. (Game Notes, Live Stats,
Live Video)
Oct. 29 – W Soccer vs. Winthrop – 3 p.m. (Live Stats, Live Video)
Oct. 30 – Volleyball vs. Gardner-Webb – 7 p.m. (Live Stats, Live Video)
Oct. 31 – Cross Country @ Big South Championships
Oct. 31 – Football @ VMI – 1:30 p.m. (Game Notes, Gameday Central, Live Stats, Live Video)
Oct. 31 – Volleyball vs. UNC Asheville – 2 p.m. (Live Stats,)
Oct. 31 – W. Soccer vs. Gardner-Webb – 7 p.m. (Live Stats,)
Don't forget the following links:
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Facebook
YouTube
Video Streaming
Live Stats
Purchase pictures of your favorite Bucs
And CSUsports.com for all the latest CSU news and information
Life is Goodenough - Oct. 22, 2009
Inspirational Athletes
Being a college coach and an avid sports fan, I love reading stories about athletes who are breaking records, winning games as the underdog, or overcoming obstacles just to play their sport. I am so inspired by the great players who are not just excelling at their sport but who are also exceptional people and role models. Great examples are Florida’s Tim Tebow, arguably the best college football player, who is back from his concussion leading his team better than ever. Indiana Fever’s Tamika Catchings, who is a phenomenal offensive player, was recently named the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year. In Conference USA, the University of Houston’s Case Keenum, has thrown for over 2500 yards this season and is included in Heisman Trophy discussions. As a coach, you encourage character development through commitment and hard work. You also encourage your players to have high expectations for themselves and to follow the examples of other successful athletes and teams.
Here is a story about a successful team who has absolutely exceeded expectations that anyone had for them. You will not read anywhere else about this team or any of their team members but they have been very inspirational this year for me and many others.
Last season the Dubose Middle School Wildcat Volleyball team struggled to claim a 1-9 regular season record. Their one victory was heavily celebrated because it was one more than the 2007 season. Watching the team was difficult because not many games or even possessions went very well for this young 7th and 8th grade team.
With a good number of returners from the 2008 season returning this fall, expectations were not high for the 2009 campaign. After winning the first 2 matches on the opening night, however, parents and fans alike began to sit a little taller in the stands and cheer with a little more optimism than in the past. To much surprise, the Wildcat team continued improvements on serving and passing and even grew more confident about spiking as the season passed. The number of fans and their enthusiasm grew as the Wildcats rolled over opponents in district play. They fell to a very worthy opponent, River Oaks, in the middle of the season. The concern was how they would bounce back from that loss. They responded by winning the remainder of their matches!
The middle school team, who rarely got a serve over the net one season and finished last, came back with determination and teamwork to finish first this season! At the end of the season, Captain Gabby Grossi, received the Coaches Award. Newcomer, Hallie Colegrove, received the Most Improved Award. Lastly, Captain Bailey Goodenough, was named the Most Valuable Player.
From 1-9 to 9-1. From Last to First. As far as being inspirational-that is hard to beat!
Col 3:17
Weekly Recap - Oct. 13 - 18
Back on track this weekend as the Lady Buccaneer soccer team finished out the week on Sunday with an exciting 3-2 victory over Presbyterian College. Fall sports are in the middle of Big South play, and the men’s and women’s basketball teams are starting to gear it up as they started practice this past weekend. We also had our Big South basketball media day to release the men’s and women’s preseason polls.
After she willed the soccer team to victory on Sunday, there is little doubt that Marky Boyce is this week’s CSU Athlete of the Week. Boyce scored all four goals in CSU’s 2-0 Big South week.
Things started on Friday as the Lady Bucs traveled up to Asheville. With CSU going into the wind in the first half, Boyce took a ball from Jen Vroman and put it in the top corner late in the half to give CSU a 1-0 lead. With the wind at their backs, the Lady Bucs held on for the 1-0 victory.
Sunday, the team found themselves trailing 2-0 within the first 10 minutes of the game against Presbyterian college. Boyce took over, scoring three goals in an 11 minute span to give CSU the lead. The first two goals came in the final 10 minutes of the first half as she tied the game 2-2 with under a minute to play. The final goal of the game, and her seventh game-winner of the season, came two minutes into the second half as she got loose in the box and blasted a shot into the back of the net.
As for the results.
Oct. 12 – 13 – M Golf @ Davidson Invitational – 11th
The team struggled in the first two rounds, but shot a final-round 302 to finish 11th overall at the Davidson Invitational. The 302 in the final round was tied for the fourth-lowest score of the day. Kelvin Day finished in the top-25 with a 228, two shots ahead of Jason Clatworthy.
Game Story
Results
Oct. 13 – VB @ Coastal Carolina - L, 3-1
The Lady Bucs started their five-game road swing up in Conway, but it did not start like they wanted. After a tough 25-23 loss in set one, the Lady Bucs bounced back to win set two 25-20. The brief intermission stole the momentum away, and CSU could not get anything going offensively in the final two sets.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 16 – W Soccer @ UNC Asheville – W, 1-0
A first-half goal against a strong wind proved the difference as CSU won their second Big South road game of the year, 1-0 over UNCA. Marky Boyce had the game-winner, her sixth of the year as she took the pass from Jen Vroman, who notched her sixth assist of the year, putting it in the top corner from 15 yards out. Jena Lalich played the entire game in goal, earning the win and the shut out after supplying seven saves.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 16 – VB @ Liberty – L, 3-1
They won the first set, but couldn’t continue the momentum as they fell on the road to a very good Liberty team. Amanda Hill and Nichole Diller each had a double-double for CSU. The loss evened the CSU record at 11-11 overall. The Lady Bucs had eight team blocks and had everyone with a positive attack percentage, but it wasn’t enough to overcome a balanced Flame attack that had four hitters with double-figure kills.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 17- XC @ USC Upstate Invitational – M – 4th, W-10th
The women’s times continued to drop, despite cold and wet conditions at Milliken Research Park. Adrienne Cuff, Tracey Epley and Susanna McKee all ran season-bests for CSU. The men’s team also showed improvement, and although they didn’t run season bests, Shaun Bisson, Chris Seigler and Brandon Harris all improved on their time from the first meet of the season that was on the same course.
Women's Story
Box Score
Men's Story
Box Score
Oct. 17- FB @ Gardner-Webb – L, 27-20
After tying the game with under 2:00 to go in the game, the Bucs felt like they were in good shape and the offense started thinking about overtime strategy. GWU had other plans, and a great execution of their two-minute drill proved deadly as the scored with :22 left in the game. The Bucs fell behind 10-0 before scoring 13 unanswered to take a 13-10 lead. It was tied again at 20-20 in the final moments after a diving touchdown catch by Josh Atkinson.
Game Story
Postgame Quotes
Box Score
Photo Gallery
Oct. 17 – VB @ High Point – L, 3-0
The Lady Bucs fell to 0-3 on the road during this road swing as nothing seemed to go right against High Point. CSU recorded just two blocks, and had 25 attacking errors to 24 kills on the day. Thankfully, CSU only has two more road games, and no back-to-back games for a while.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 18 – W Soccer @ Presbyterian – W, 3-2
After falling in a 2-0 hole, Marky Boyce lifted CSU out with three unanswered goals to put CSU up 3-2 early in the second half. It was her second hat trick of the season, and helped boost CSU to a 9-2 advantage in shots in the second half. Jena Lalich had four saves in goal to get the win.
Game Story
Box Score
What’s coming up?
Oct. 19 – 20 - M Golf – CSU Fall Invitational (Crowfield CC)
Oct. 19 – 20 – W Golf – Wendy’s Invitational (Coosaw CC)
Oct. 20 – Volleyball @ Winthrop – 6 p.m. (live stats)
Oct. 23 – W Soccer @ Coastal Carolina – 6 p.m. (live stats)
Oct. 24 – Football vs. Liberty – 1:30 p.m. (Live Stats, Game Notes, Live Audio/Video)
Homecoming Weekend
Oct. 24 – Volleyball @ Presbyterian – 6 p.m.
Don't forget the following links:
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Video Streaming
Live Stats
Purchase pictures of your favorite Bucs
And CSUsports.com for all the latest CSU news and information
Cori Holeman - CSU Athlete of the Week
Cori Holeman has been selected as this week's CSU Athlete of the Week. Holeman was key offensively and defensively for the Lady Bucs in their sweep of Radford, last Saturday.
Holeman accounted for a team-high 17 points in the lone match of the week for CSU. She finished the 3-0 sweep with 11 kills, one short of her season-high. She also tied her season high with a hand in eight blocks, including two solo rejections, and added an ace.
Also nominated: Sarah Catenacci (Soccer)
Weekly Recap - Oct. 5 - 12
As you may notice, we are a little later this week so that we could fit in the results from the soccer weekend that actually extended into today. It was a week of rest for the fall sports as we reached the midpoint of the fall seasons. Hard to believe we went four-straight days without any competition. The football and cross country teams took the week off completely, while soccer played three contests (counting today) and the volleyball team took a huge win in their only match of the week. The women’s golf team also competed with an 11th-place finish at the USF-Waterlefe Invitational.
Just as we were postponed with the weekly recap, our player of the week will be delayed from here on out too, making sure that we are able to give it to the most deserving individual each week. Make sure you check out CSUsports.com for that announcement.
Did you see the Buccaneer Updates this week. Rob Walden interviewed FB Coach Jay Mills, Soccer Coach Eric Terrill and VB Coach Danyel Bellush. You can see all of them at: youtube.com/csusports
Oct. 5 – Oct. 6 – W. Golf @ USF Waterlefe Invitational – T-11th
Olivia Jordan-Higgins and Madison Jeter tied for team-high honors, shooting a three-round 227, putting them in a tie for 17th overall out of almost 90 golfers in the tournament. It was the first top-20 finish for both this season. CSU tied with Southern Miss and South Alabama at 11th place.
Game Story and Results
Oct. 5 – W. Soccer @ High Point – W, 2-1
The soccer team did exactly what you want them to in finishing off an undefeated road trip to start Big South play. After playing to a 1-1 draw against Liberty last Saturday, they stole a win on the road at High Point. Marky Boyce score her team-leading eighth goal, while Caitlin Wesnesky scored her fifth goal on the year. As they have done most of the season, CSU out-shot HPU 25-14. With an assist in the game, Jen Vroman moves into a tie with Emma Mattson for fourth all-time at CSU with 15 assists.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 10 – W. Soccer vs. Radford – L, 2-1 (OT)
All the momentum that was gained on the road was stolen back by the league-leaders, Radford, as the Highlanders took an overtime victory from Buccaneer Field despite a dominating performance by CSU. The Lady Bucs held a 27-16 advantage in shots and played the majority of the game on the RU defensive side of the field. Sarah Catenacci scored the CSU goal with some fancy footwork to beat the keeper, leaving her an open net for the game’s opening goal.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 10 – Volleyball vs. Radford – W, 3-0
CSU hit .315 as a team and tallied 11 blocks in a dominating 3-0 (25-19, 25-11, 25-19) victory over Radford. No one on the CSU roster posted a negative hitting percentage as CSU controlled the match almost from the start of each set. Amanda Hill (13) and Cori Holeman (11) each tallied double-digit kills, while Hill (14), Tricia Rodl (12) and Sam Sasan (10) led the way in digs. Holeman had her hand in almost all of the blocks, with six assists and two solo blocks.
Oct. 12 – W. Soccer vs. VMI – W, 3-0
It was about as sloppy as a game can get with torrential rains setting in just about kick off, but both teams battled hard for the duration. CSU scored three goals late to take the victory, earning valuable points in the Big South. As a side note, for those trying to watch the game on the video, we apologize for having to cut it early, but we had already lost enough equipment to the rain. Hopefully you will be able to catch our next broadcast against Winthrop on Oct. 29.
What’s coming up?
Monday, Oct. 12 – W. Soccer vs. VMI – 3 p.m. (Live Stats, Live Video)
Monday, Oct. 12 – Tuesday, Oct. 13 – M. Golf @ Davidson Invitational
Tuesday, Oct. 13 – Volleyball @ Coastal Carolina – 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16 – W. Soccer @ UNC Asheville – 4 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16 – Volleyball @ Liberty – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Cross Country @ USC Upstate Invitational
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Football vs. Gardner-Webb -11:30 a.m. (Game Notes, Live Stats, Live Video) Televised on SportSouth
Saturday, Oct. 17 – Volleyball @ High Point – 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 18 – W. Soccer @ Presbyterian – 2 p.m.
Don't forget the following links:
YouTube
Video Streaming
Live Stats
Purchase pictures of your favorite Bucs
And CSUsports.com for all the latest CSU news and information
Notes From Nichole - 10-7-09
Our season thus far has been one to remember. For the first time in 8 years we are the "City Champs," we went undefeated at the Spikefest, Amanda reached her 1000 kill mark and numerous girls have broken their career highs. We are playing great, playing as a team, and growing as a team. Part of being a team is the unavoidable ups and downs within the season. Although a considerable amount of our season has generated wins, the last three games have not. Nevertheless, we are quite excited to bounce back this weekend, get redemption, and also a victory against Radford.
October is the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month and since this disease has had a significant impact on many girls on our team, we decided to have our first ever Dig for the Cure campaign. The Dig for the Cure campaign is a national volleyball fundraiser which benefits the Susan G. Komen foundation. We will be having several fundraisers and games that will all benefit Dig for the Cure. Throughout the course of October we will also be wearing pink apparel to help promote this campaign. So come out and support your Bucs and this great cause too! GO BUCS!
Philippians 3:13-14 "One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Weekly Recap - September 28 - October 4
Hard to believe that we are already into October, but with October comes Big South play!
With a career day on the ground and through the air, quarterback A.J. Toscano edged out Lindsey Trexler, Sam Sasan and Andrew King for CSU Athlete of the Week honors.
Toscano finished the game as the leading ball carrier for CSU with nine rushes for a career-high 78 yards. He also completed 21 of 26 pass attempts for 230 yards, just five yards shy of his career best that he set a week ago. He had two touchdown passes and no interceptions in the team’s 47-10 victory. Toscano’s 80.7 completion percentage fell just short of Collin Drafts’ school record 82 percent (25-29) performance against Allen in 2004.
Sept. 29 – VB vs. Winthrop – L, 3-0 (25-20, 26-24, 25-16)
September did not end the way the volleyball team would have liked, as their six-game winning streak was ended by Winthrop. The Bucs never seemed to hit their stride in the first set and after a two point defeat in set two, the air was taken out of the gym as the Eagles continued on to the sweep. CSU dropped to 10-7 on the year with a 1-1 mark in the Big South while Winthrop improved to 10-6 and 2-1 in the conference.
The silver lining in the match for CSU was Emily Libertowski, who posted a season high 11 kills after a .500 attack percent. Sam Sasan also recorded 27 assists, three digs and a block. Amanda Hill chipped in with six kills, but it was her season low and only the second time she has not reached double-figures in kills. The Eagles hit .367 as a team, led by Kaley Viola, who tallied 15 kills and six digs.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 2 – Cross Country @ Charlotte Invitational – M-13th, W-20th
The cross country programs had a change of pace, both figuratively and literally as they took part in the largest and most competitive meet of the season on a Friday evening. Running against more than 20 teams, including the likes of Clemson, South Carolina and Charlotte, all six runners on the men’s side ran personal bests, while three Lady Bucs did the same.
Andrew King finished 15th with one of the fastest times in school history, while Tracey Epley, Star Holmes and Christina Gallo have all dropped more than two minutes off their times from earlier in the season. 
Men’s Story
Men’s Results
Women’s Story
Women’s Results
Oct. 2 – VB @ UNC Asheville – L, 3-2, (25-27, 25-23, 25-20, 30-32, 15-13)
It was just about as close as you could get throughout the match with 57 ties and 21 lead changes over five sets, including two sets that needed extra points to decide. Ultimately, it was the home team Bulldogs that prevailed as CSU ended up on the short end of the 3-2 score. CSU is now 0-2 this year in five-set matches.
Despite the loss, the Bucs led in nearly every statistical category, including a season high 77 kills and almost hitting the century mark with 99 digs. CSU dropped to 10-8 on the season with a 1-2 mark in the Big South while UNCA improved to 14-5 and 3-0 in the conference. Amanda Hill led the way for the Bucs, with a career high 27 kills to go along with 16 digs. Sam Sasan also recorded a career high with 67 assists to lead all players, while tallying 22 digs. Nichole Diller tied for a career high with 18 kills and 18 digs and hit a match best .471. Also recording a double-double was Emily Libertowski, with 10 kills and 22 digs
Game Story
Box Score 
Oct. 3 – FB vs. Savannah State – W, 47-10
The Charleston Southern offense posted their second-straight 500-yard performance in a 47-10 rout of Savannah State, Saturday at Buccaneer Field. The win was the sixth all-time against SSU, keeping the Bucs’ undefeated in the series.
A.J. Toscano continued to improve as a quarterback for the Bucs, completing 80 percent of his passes (21-26) for 230 yards, five yards shy of the career-best he set last week against North Greenville. He also rushed for a career-high 78 yards and was the leading rusher for CSU.
Toscano did have plenty of help, including Gerald Stevenson, who tied his career high with eight passes for 91 yards, while adding two touchdowns on six carries for 49 yards. Alex Neal had four receptions for 68 yards while Tyrese Harris, Mike Jefferson and Anthony Chalmers each caught a touchdown pass. A total of 10 people recorded at least one carry as CSU topped 200 yards on the ground and rushed for three touchdowns for the second time this year.
CSU’s Chris Kuzdale led the defense with six tackles and one interception. Shawn King also picked off a pass as the Bucs got their first two interceptions of the season.
Game Story
Box Score
Postgame Quotes
Photo Gallery
Postgame Interview
Oct. 3 – VB @ Gardner-Webb – L, 3-1 (25-21, 16-25, 25-18, 25-21)
After a marathon match the night before and a short turnaround for the day game, the volleyball team struggled to keep the energy they had against UNCA. Emily Libertowski recorded her second straight double-double with a team best 11 kills and 13 digs. Nichole Diller also placed in double figures with 10 kills to go along with three blocks. Amanda Hill chipped in with 9 kills and a match high 15 digs.
Game Story
Box Score
Oct. 3 – Soccer @ Liberty – T, 1-1
After giving up a goal in the sixth minute, CSU answered six minutes later to tie the game 1-1. In what looked to be a shoot-out, the defenses settled in and despite giving up a combined 34 shots, neither team allowed another goal through regulation and 20 minutes of overtime. Lindsey Trexler scored the lone goal for CSU, her first goal of the season, while Jena Lalich earned six saves, playing the duration of the 110 minute game.
Game Story
Box Score
What’s coming up?
Monday, Oct. 5 – Tuesday, Oct. 6 – W Golf @ USF-Waterlefe Invitiational
Monday, Oct. 5 – Soccer @ High Point – 3 p.m. (Live Stats)
Saturday, Oct. 10 – Soccer vs. Radford – 1 p.m. (Live Stats)
Saturday, Oct. 10 – VB vs. Radford – 4 p.m. (Live Stats)
Don't forget the following links:
Twitter
Facebook
YouTube
Video Streaming
Live Stats
Purchase pictures of your favorite Bucs
And CSUsports.com for all the latest CSU news and information
