Weekly Recap - August 23-29

As we officially enter the first week of the college football season, two Charleston Southern teams are already in the thick of action, with volleyball getting started on the road at the RTP/Hilton Classic at North Carolina Central, and the soccer team hosting three home games.

As tough as it is to repeat as CSU Athlete of the Week, it’s just as hard to deny that senior Marky Boyce’s performance this week was one of the best performances in school history. Boyce scored goals in all three games this week, including two game-winners and notched a hat trick in the victory over Jacksonville.

With seven goals in four games this season, Boyce in on pace to shatter the school record for goals in a season, currently at 21. She is easily proving why she was named the 2010 Preseason Big South Attacker of the Year, and the best player in the conference according to topdrawersoccer.com. She already has two game-winners and two multi-goal games on the young season.

Monday, August 23 – W. Soccer vs. College of Charleston, L, 3-2
Wet conditions forced the in-town rivals to move their contest for the silver cup to Blackbaud Stadium. CSU jumped on top early, scoring in the ninth minute when Marky Boyce put it in the back of the net off a cross from Rebecca Hollstegge. After CofC tied the game, CSU went back in front as Allison Lewis scored her first collegiate goal. A quick answer from CofC made the game seem like it would end in a tie or at least see extra time, but a late header on a set piece proved to be the game-winner for the Cougars as they maintain control of the silver cup.

Full Recap
Box Score

Friday – Saturday, August 27-28 – Volleyball @ NCCU Tournament (1-3 record)
Although the results didn’t come out the way the team would have wanted, the play of a number of freshmen and the way they blended with the upper classmen has to be encouraging to Coach Danyel Bellush and the team. Amanda Hill picked up where she left off with 61 kills in four matches, but the balance next to her (four players with 19 or more) will help the Lady Bucs this season. Amy Nokes already tallied 119 assists, along with 19 kills, while Amanda Hill’s 50 digs lead the way. Cori Holeman already has seven total blocks to lead the team in that category. The road trip was not all lost, though, as CSU did get the victory over the home team, North Carolina Central.

Day 1 Recap
Match 1 Box Score
Match 2 Box Score

Day 2 Recap
Match 3 Box Score
Match 4 Box Score

Friday, August 27 – W. Soccer vs. Maine, W, 2-1
Taking on a team that embarrassed them in the last meeting, CSU got a big win at home, the first of the season played at Buccaneer Field, beating Maine 2-1. Allison Lewis got her second goal in as many games as she tied the game late in the first half. It doesn’t seem like a game without a Marky Boyce goal, and Boyce satisfied the crowd on a header from Michelle Dennis, her fourth goal of the season, but the best was yet to come from Boyce.

Full Recap
Box Score

Sunday, August 29 – W. Soccer vs. Jacksonville, W, 3-2 (OT)
Much like it was against the College of Charleston, CSU came out firing and ended up with the game’s opening goal early in the contest. It was Marky Boyce once again doing the damage as she headed the ball in the net in just the third minute of the game. With an equalizer in the first half, it looked like we were set for a back-and-forth affair. Just two minutes into the second half, Jacksonville took the 2-1 lead, and looked in good shape, despite being a man down after a red card, when the keeper stopped a CSU penalty kick. The Lady Bucs did get the equalizer with 15 minutes to play, sending the game into overtime. It lasted just four minutes before Boyce again nodded the ball into the corner of the net for her second game-winner and second multi-goal game of the season.

Full Recap
Box Score

What's Coming Up?
Tuesday, August 31 - VB vs. The Citadel - 6 p.m.
Saturday, September 4 - XC @ Eye Opener Invitational
Saturday, September 4 - FB vs. North Greenvile - 1:30 p.m.

Don't forget the following links:
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Purchase pictures of your favorite Bucs
And CSUsports.com for all the latest CSU news and information

Trinder's Take: August 29, 2010

Charleston Southern middle blocker Amberle Trinder provides an inside look at the 2010 Lady Bucs volleyball season, beginning with the NCCU Tournament.

Friday, Aug. 27
Going into my senior year, I am filled with many emotions. I am happy that the season is finally here and I get to play volleyball, but also sad about this chapter of my life coming to a close.
I am so excited to start out our season at NCCU. Currently I’m in our van on the ride up to our hotel. I began thinking of the Lord and how he has helped the “underdog” in other situations. The story that first came to my head was David and Goliath. In 1 Samuel 17-18, the Lord helps David, a youth, to overcome all odds and defeat this huge warrior, Goliath, with just a sling and a stone. Goliath has a sword and a shield and size all on his side. This really hits close to the CSU Lady Buc volleyball team. We might not have all the money in the world, or all the height, but we have a lot of heart. The Lady Bucs also have Jesus on our side. Being a Christian university, we strive to bring Christ into all that we do.
I know I personally love that we try to integrate our faith in our everyday lives. I am coming off a slight knee injury and I know that through the power of prayer, the Lord is going to help me be strong and do my best for my team and for Him. I love that we can pray before every match and just have that sense of calm walking out onto the court, knowing that we are not just playing for ourselves, our school, or our team, but we are playing for Him. The Lord is so amazing in all that he does and I thank Him every day for the graces he has blessed me and my wonderful teammates with.
As we walked into the gym this morning I didn’t know what to expect. We have 6 new freshmen and a load of injuries to boot. Our first match started out a little shaky and ended in a loss. Coach had a great talk with us after our first game, I think that kick started us and helped us to believe in ourselves and to get back on track for our second match.

Tomorrow we have 2 more games and I know this team has what it takes to come out on top and do it with style, class, and some Jesus pride too!
Saturday, Aug. 28
Well, the weekend ended in somewhat of a disappointing manner. However, I am not upset. I think this weekend gave us insight into our strengths and weaknesses. I look forward to our practices this week to iron out the kinks, and to get better every day. Our next match will be at home on Tuesday, August 31. This will be an exciting match as well and I can’t wait to see what the Lady Bucs will do next!
Thanks for reading!
“Peace begins with a smile.”-Mother Teresa

Weekly Recap - August 16 - 22

Welcome back to our CSU Athletics Weekly Recap. After what I’m sure was an all-too-short summer for everyone, our students are back on campus and our athletes are back in action already.

Senior Marky Boyce has been named this school year’s first CSU Athlete of the Week after a two-goal performance in the season-opener.

The Preseason Big South Attacker of the Year, Boyce was also named the top player in the Big South by topdrawersoccer.com. In the first game of the regular season, Boyce took seven shots and put a team-high four of them on goal. She found the back of the net twice, both coming in the second half of a 3-0 CSU victory over USC Upstate.

That game against USC Upstate was the only regular season competition of the week, but that doesn’t mean it was the only thing going on in CSU athletics. Here’s a look at some of the other things happening on campus.

August 20 – W. Soccer @ USC Upstate – W, 3-0
As mentioned, Marky Boyce scored twice, while Caitlin Wesnesky added a third to push CSU to 1-0 on the season with a 3-0 victory on the road at USC Upstate. The Lady Bucs out-shot Upstate 40-4, forcing a career-best 14 saves by the Spartan Keeper. Staci Ulichnie and Olivia Urig each notched their first assists of the season. Facing just two shots on goal, Amy Arroyo was up to the task, earning her first shut out of her career, making two saves.

Full Recap
Box Score

August 22 – Fall Picnic
Twice a year, the entire athletics department gets together with all of the staff and student-athletes. The first of these meetings is a gathering before school starts as the athletes get their student-athlete handbooks and enjoy some good food and great company. The women's tennis team was recognized for their regular season Big South Championship, while the women's golf team unveiled their banner for winning the 2010 Big South Tournament Championship.

Read more about the fall picnic
Watch the birthday icebreaker

We also posted the first Big South FLIPPED: On Campus video as we took a look at move in day. You can watch that video here.