What a great week to be a Buccaneer. Despite a slow mid-week slate, things definitely picked up with four teams in action Saturday, and a fifth on Sunday to finish out the week. Hopefully you all made it out to the first home football game. If not, you have another chance this weekend as the Bucs stay home to face Savannah State in their final non-conference game of the season.
Plenty of competition for CSU Athlete of the Week this week, but it was Gerald Stevenson’s 200 yards of offense that pushed him over the edge. Stevenson had 86 yards on the ground, including 56 on one carry, the second-longest touchdown play of the season for CSU after Kwame Krakue scored on a 62-yard touchdown pass earlier in the game.
Stevenson also caught eight passes for 114 yards, both season-highs for 2009. He had a 20-yard reception down the left sideline that set up the 62-yard touchdown pass on the opposite sideline on the very next play.
Also considered for the honor: Marky Boyce (Soccer), Amanda Hill (Volleyball ) Amberle Trinder (Volleyball), Andrew King (Men’s XC), Chris Patrick (Football), John Paglia (Football).
Sept. 22 – Volleyball @ College of Charleston – W 3-1
With their first victory over CofC since 2000 (granted they didn’t play for a few years in there), the volleyball team earned the unofficial “City Champion” title, having already beaten The Citadel twice this year. It took a comeback to do it after dropping set one 25-23, but the Lady Bucs showed a lot of heart on the road as they came back to take a 2-1 lead. Facing set point for CofC in set four, CSU rattled off three-straight points to reverse a 23-24 deficit to a 26-24 victory, clinching the match.
“That was such a great comeback,” said Head Coach Danyel Bellush. “They showed me a lot about their commitment and their heart tonight. I’m really impressed with my team right now.”
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 22 – Soccer @ College of Charleston – L, 3-0
At the exact same time that the volleyball team was overcoming a huge obstacle downtown against CofC, the soccer team was trying to do the same on Patriots Point. The soccer team has tied the College of Charleston four times since 2001, but failed to overcome them, and unfortunately for CSU, the trend continues. For the third-straight game, the Lady Bucs gave up an early goal in the first five minutes, forcing them to play catch up the rest of the time. A forced offense led to a transition goal to make it 2-0 and CofC would tack on one more in the final three minutes of the game. With only 8 shots, it was the first time CSU has been outshot and the first time they have been shut out all season.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 26 - Cross Country @ The Citadel Invite – M – 4th, W – 5th
Both cross country teams benefited from staying close to home as the women’s team shaved off more than a minute from their average time a year ago at the same meet. The men’s team put five runners under 30 minutes, when their team average last year was 30:16.50, almost two full minutes slower than the 2009 average of 28:22. Andrew King led the majority of the race for the men, finishing as the runner-up, while Adrienne Cuff finished 15th, the first top-20 finish of her career.
Men's Story
Men’s Results
Women's Story
Women’s Results
Sept. 26 – Football vs. North Greenville – W, 34-0
The score could have been a lot more lopsided if you look at the statistical domination for Charleston Southern. With 10 possessions, CSU never punted the football, scoring on six of those drives. The defense allowed just 90 total yards, 20 of which came on a fake punt, while the offense combined for 516 total yards. The Bucs rushed for 267 yards, the most since garnering 272 against Savannah State in 2007.
Coach Mills saw the breaking running game coming: “Our ground attack has really been improving, and we felt like once we got on a more level playing field that those improvements would show up.”
Chris Patrick had a career game with a career-high nine tackles, a sack and a forced fumble, the first of his career, and the defense never let NGU inside the 35 yardline.
Game Story
Box Score
Postgame Quotes
Sept. 26 – Volleyball vs. Presbyterian – W, 3-0
A lot of times when a team comes off a big victory, they suffer a letdown (see any number of top-5 football teams this year). This was definitely not the case with the volleyball team as they opened with a sweep over Presbyterian College. In fact, the first set was the most dominant as CSU hit .346 as a team and won 25-16. The final two sets were closer, but CSU was able to easily put away PC. It took a total team effort, though, as everyone seemed to do their part and do it well. Amanda Hill had a double-double after two sets, finishing with 14 kills and 14 digs, while Tricia Rodl had 13 digs and Sam Sasan had 26 assists. Amberle Trinder was all over the place defensively with nine block assists.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 27 – Soccer @ Francis Marion – W, 3-2
Michelle Dennis and Marky Boyce combined for all three CSU goals as they stole a win on the road, Sunday. In their final non-conference matchup, CSU was the one that struck early, scoring in the fourth minute to take a 1-0 lead. No more than eight minutes later, Boyce notched a goal off a pass from Lindsey Trexler. After taking a 3-0 lead in the second half, FMU responded with a couple of long goals off loose balls to make things interesting.
Game Story
Box Score
What’s Coming Up?
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Volleyball vs. Winthrop (Live Stats, Live Video) – 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 2 – Cross Country @ Charlotte Invitational
Friday, Oct. 2 – Volleyball @ UNC Asheville - 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Soccer @ Liberty – 1 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Football vs. Savannah State (Live Stats, Live Video, Game Notes) – 1:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Volleyball @ Gardner-Webb – 2 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
Weekly Recap - September 21 - 27
Weekly Recap - September 14 - 20
Before we get too far ahead, though, we want to look back at last week’s results, including a major milestone reached by one of our junior volleyball players.
Amanda Hill became the quickest in school history to reach 1,000 career kills, doing so this past weekend against North Carolina Central. That means just 11 games into her junior year, Hill has done something that only four others in the history of the school have done in their careers. She is on pace to shatter the school record of 1,469 set by Carrie O’Connell, who played from 1991-94.Thanks to that accomplishment, and her combined 72 kills in five matches this week (14.4 kills per match average), Hill has been named the CSU Athlete of the Week for the second time already in this fall season.
As for the results of last week’s competition…
Sept. 13-14 - Women’s Golf @ Duramed Cougar Classic – 18th
It was the first tournament of the season for CSU, and the first career tournament for the freshmen on the CSU squad. Add in an outstanding field with teams from the SEC (Georgia, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Ole Miss and Mississippi St.) and ACC (Florida St., North Carolina, Maryland, N.C. State, Miami) and there would no-doubt be some early bumps for CSU. Olivia Jordan-Higgins shot an outstanding 71 in round one, and went on to tie for 54th overall out of more than 90 competitors to lead the team to an 18th-place finish.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 15-16 – Men’s Golf @ Spring Hill Suites Intercollegiate – 5th
The men’s team also had a busy week with two tournaments to report on. The first was the Spring Hill Suites Intercollegiate, hosted by Francis Marion. Freshman Jason Clatworthy and junior Jonathan Rustin each proved that they are able to compete with anyone as they were near the top of the leaderboard after day one. As he has done so many times, Kelvin Day worked his way back up and finished with his first top-10 finish of the year. The Bucs shot a three-round total of 865 to finish tied for fifth, just four shots behind the fourth-place team Furman.
Story
Results
Sept. 15 – Soccer @ S.C. State – L, 3-2 (2OT)
After giving up an early goal in the second minute of the contest, the Lady Bucs found themselves trailing 2-0 at the break. Caitlin Wesnesky and Michelle Dennis changed that, scoring goals within five minutes of each other, midway through the second half to tie the game. With all the momentum, it looked like CSU would be able to pull out the road victory, but a goal 30 seconds into the second overtime gave SCSU the victory, despite being outshot 24-13 in the game. Both of the team’s losses have come in extra time, and on the road, while they have been out-scoring their opponents 24-3 in four games at home, all victories.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 16 – Volleyball vs. Georgia Southern, - L, 3-1 (25-13, 16-25, 23-25, 22-25)
The Lady Buccaneers grabbed an early shot of momentum and fought hard, but couldn’t overcome an excellent Georgia Southern team in just the second home game of the year for CSU. Going in, both teams knew there was an outside shot that Amanda Hill could get to 1,000 kills in the game (needing 24 kills). Bellush used that as a decoy, and while she still led the way with 13 kills, it also opened things up for Amberle Trinder, who had a season-high 10 kills.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 18-19 – Volleyball @ S.C. State Tournament – 4-0 record
The volleyball team did just what it set out to do over the weekend as they posted a perfect 4-0 record, including the second victory of the year over The Citadel. The Citadel was the only team on the weekend to take a set from CSU as they swept N.C. Central, S.C. State and Alabama State, all in straight-sets. The wins moved CSU to an 8-6 record on the season, with a cross-town matchup and Big South matches looming. Amanda Hill had a season-high 22 kills against The Citadel, while Cori Holeman had 10 kills and match-high six blocks.
Game Story
Box Score
Game Story
Box Score
Game Story
Citadel Box Score
SCSU Box Score
Sept. 19 – Cross Country @ Big South Preview meet – M-5th, W-7th
Two weeks after the Eye Opener Invitational, the men’s and women’s cross country teams returned to action and the newcomers may have had their eyes opened again as they faced a preview of the Big South Championships. On what Coach Ryan Thompson called a “tough course,” both teams remained fairly consistent with times they ran in the first meet of the year, with the women finishing seventh overall and the men finishing fifth. The men’s performance gave Thompson a lot of hope, shaving 1:15 off their average time from last year, and moving up four spots from their ninth-place finish at the Big South meet a year ago.
Men's Story
Men's Results
Women's Story
Women's Results
Sept. 19 – Soccer vs. Newberry – W, 3-2
No question that the women’s soccer team feels more comfortable at home. We mentioned earlier the scoring differential in home games, but Saturday it took coming from behind twice to take down Newberry. CSU was up to the challenge in front of more than 250 fans at Buccaneer Field. Michelle Dennis scored her fifth goal of the year in the 20th minute to tie things at 1-1, while Sarah Catenacci and Caitlin Wesnesky struck within five minutes again to tie the game 2-2 and then take the 3-2 lead. CSU tightened the defense for the final 30 minutes and held on for the win. With the goal, Catenacci leads the team with six scores on the year, while Wesnesky hit her fourth goal and second game-winner of the year.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 19 – Women’s Golf @ Great Smokies Intercollegiate – 5th
The Lady Buc golf team did just what they needed to do, shooting a 300 in round one, putting them in fifth place out of 22 teams after the first round. Freshman Amanda D’Ostroph led the way with a 73, tying for 13th overall. Looking to climb even higher on day two, CSU had to stick with fifth as the round was rained out.
Story
Results
CSU got a taste of as diverse a field as they’ll see this year as they traveled north to the Michigan State Spartan Invitational. California won the tournament, while CSU finished seventh, just behind Santa Clara and ahead of Cleveland State. Kelvin Day finished the tournament three-over in a tie for 18th overall, while Ross Thomson carded an eight-over, 221, tying for 28th.
Story
Results
What’s coming up?
Tuesday, Sept. 22 – Soccer @ College of Charleston – 7 p.m. (Live Stats)
Tuesday, Sept. 22 – Volleyball @ College of Charleston – 7 p.m. (Live Stats)
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Men’s XC @ The Citadel Invitational - 9 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Women’s XC @ The Citadel Invitational - 9:45 a.m.
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Football vs. North Greenville - 1:30 p.m. (Live Stats, Live Video, Game Notes)
Saturday, Sept. 26 – Volleyball vs. Presbyterian – 6 p.m. (Live Stats)
Sunday, Sept. 27 – Soccer @ Francis Marion – 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
Weekly Recap - September 7 - 13
As busy as the first of the month was, this week calmed down considerably as Soccer, Volleyball and Cross Country all took the weekend off. There was still plenty of good Buccaneer action, though, including two victories over The Citadel on consecutive days.
With the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute against The Citadel on Wednesday, Marky Boyce has been named this week’s CSU Athlete of the Week.
It was the fifth goal in six games this season for Boyce, who is tied with Sarah Catenacci and Morgann Wood for team-high honors. She also leads the way with three of the team’s five game-winners and now has six for her career. Boyce has scored five goals on just 20 shots (25 percent) and almost half of her shots (45 percent) have been on goal.
Congratulations Marky! Now on to the results…
Sept. 8 – Volleyball @ The Citadel – W, 3-0
The Citadel volleyball team has been on the rise over the past few years, but CSU had no problem with them, Tuesday, sweeping aside the cross-town rivals in straight sets. In control throughout, the Lady Buccaneers came out of the break strong, winning the third and final set 25-7. Amanda Hill had a double-double with 15 digs and 13 kills on just 24 attacks. Cori Holeman was involved in four of the team’s seven blocks that helped CSU move their record to 4-5 on the season. The teams will play again in the upcoming S.C. State Tournament.
Game Story
Sept. 9 – Soccer @ The Citadel – W, 2-1
After suffering their first defeat of the season, the CSU women’s soccer team bounced back with a 2-1 victory against what Coach Eric Terrill called a “very disciplined” Citadel team. Sarah Catenacci scored the first goal of the game, dribbling all the way from the sidelines into the middle of the penalty area where she got a shot off, beating the keeper to the far post. The Bulldogs tied the game in the 59th minute but less than five minutes later Marky Boyce had the answer to give CSU a 5-1 record on the early season.Game Story
Sept. 12 – Football @ Wofford – L, 42-14
After a slow start, trailing 21-0 just nine seconds into the second quarter, forced CSU to play catch up, the Bucs put a scare into Wofford but fell on the road against the #14th-ranked Terriers. CSU found a 17-play, 80-yard drive to cut into the lead in the second quarter, but found themselves trailing 28-7 at the break. In the second half, the defense came out strong, getting two-straight stops. A Wofford gamble on a fourth-down fake punt failed and CSU drove down, finishing a drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass from A.J. Toscano to Gerald Stevenson, cutting it to 28-14. With all the momentum, the defense got another stop and it looked like CSU would be able to get to within one touchdown. Inside the 15 yard line, Tim Jones was stripped of the ball after a 21-yard catch, the third turnover of the game, ending the threat. An 80-yard run the other way stole the momentum back and kept Wofford comfortably in front.Game Story
What’s coming up:
Sept. 13-14 – Women’s Golf @ Cougar Classic
Sept. 14-15 – Men’s Golf @ Raines Development Group Invitational
Sept. 15 – Soccer @ S.C. State – 7 p.m.
Sept. 16 – Volleyball vs. Ga. Southern – 7 p.m. (Live Stats, Live Video)
Sept. 18-19 – Volleyball @ S.C. State Tournament (Full Schedule)
Sept. 19-20 – Men’s Golf @ Michigan State Spartan Invitational
Sept. 19-20- Women’s Golf @ Great Smokies Intercollegiate
Sept 19 – Cross Country @ Big South Preview Meet
Sept. 19 – Soccer vs. Newberry – 2 p.m. (Live Stats, Live Video)
Sept. 19 – Football @ South Florida – 7 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 - 9-7-09
Arriving in Phoenix, Arizona to be accompanied by mountains, rocks and cactuses was quite a change of scenery for a team from Charleston, South Carolina. Stepping off the plane was like walking into an oven. It was over 105 degrees with no humidity and a blazing sun. Many members of the team have never been out West; but for Sam and Trish, this was home. We have been planning and raising money for this ASU trip for a while. Not only to allow the southwestern girls to have their families watch them play, but also for the great experience that accompanies the journey out there.
Considering our school is on the other side of the country, we rolled up to ASU’s Wells Fargo Arena with a pretty solid fan base. Many players had family in the area or had flown in for the tournament. It was great to spend time at the Rodl’s house with all the players, coaches and family. Meeting all of Sam’s family was amazing. Sam and I were roommates our freshman year and I’ve gotten to watch her little sisters grow up via pictures. So it was great to finally meet them in person and also get to see Sam reunited with her family.
Shortly after our volleyball games were done, our initial concern was how we were going to watch the CSU v. Florida football game. It was a significant day in our school’s history and even though we were in Arizona, we still wanted to be a part of it. We frantically ran through a mall trying to find a restaurant or store that would play the game for us. Finally, we found a small electronic stand in the middle of the mall hallway that had our game on. And there we stood, in full CSU apparel cheering for our boys in the middle of a random mall in Phoenix, Arizona. It was an awesome memory for the school, the football team and our team as well.
The Arizona trip was an incredible experience. Although the results did not necessary reflect what we wanted, we learned a lot and can only grow as a team from the whole experience. Today we play the Citadel, which is a cross town rival that brews up some good animosity. It’s our favorite non-conference game and we’re all excited and ready to play. The game is at the Citadel at 7, and hopefully we will see ya’ll there! Go BUCS!
Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Weekly Recap - Aug. 31 - Sept. 6
It was a busy week in CSU athletics with two teams (soccer and volleyball) playing in tournaments, and three more (football, men’s and women’s cross country) seeing action for the first time in 2009.
All-in-all it was a successful week for the Bucs, giving fans plenty to cheer about and plenty to look forward to in the future.
Gerald Stevenson has been named this week’s CSU Athlete of the Week after garnering 166 all-purpose yards against the Florida Gators. The go-to guy all day, Stevenson had the ball in his hands 14 times, averaging more than 11 yards per touch.
The Naples, Fla., native had 21 yards rushing on three attempts, and caught four passes for 41 yards. He was also the main kick returner, amassing 104 return yards, including returns of 19 and 25 yards. Even though the opening kick went out of bounds, Stevenson was immediately a factor, catching an 11-yard pass for a first down on the first play from scrimmage. They went to him again on the second play of the game, running an end-around for six yards.
Hope you are enjoying your Labor Day … GO BLUE and GO BUCS!
Sept. 1 – Soccer vs. USC Upstate – W, 5-0
Despite a last-minute change in venue, CSU avenged a 2008 loss with a 5-0 blanking of USC Upstate at Blackbaud Stadium. The Lady Bucs proved they were tough, coming through in a physical game with a total of 19 fouls. Freshman sensation Morgann Wood continued her tear through the early slate, scoring her foruth and fifth goals of the year in just the third game of her career. Marky Boyce scored the game’s first goal in the sixth minute after a nice combination from Sarah Catenacci and Lindsey Trexler got Boyce the ball inside the six-yard box. Catenacci got her third goal of the season, while Michelle Dennis found the net for the second time.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 1 – VB vs. Savannah State – W, 3-0
The first game at home of the season proved to be a good one as the volleyball team had no problem with Savannah State, surrendering just 11 combined points in the first two sets. CSU hit a combined .396 for the match, including over .500 in the first two sets as 11 different players saw significant playing time. Tricia Rodl served the ball extremely well, tallying six aces, while Amanda Hill led in kills (9) and digs (11). As a team, CSU recorded five blocks, holding SSU to a negative attack percentage in every set.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 4 – 5 – VB @ Arizona State Tournament, L 1-3, 0-3, 0-3
A homecoming of sorts for west coast natives Sam Sasan and Tricia Rodl, the Lady Buccaneers took on three very tough opponents in Arizona State, Idaho State and UTEP. For the second tournament this year, Amanda Hill earned a spot on the all-tourney team for her efforts.
Game One / Two Story
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
Game Three Story
Box Score
Sept. 4 – Soccer @ Richmond (LU Tournament) – W, 2-1
The soccer team continued the roll they were on to start the season, earning their fourth-straight win to start the season, the best start in school history. It was also a come-from-behind win against a regionally-ranked opponent. All three goals came in the first half, with Michelle Dennis scoring off a through-ball from Jen Vroman in the 31st minute to tie the game. Right at 12 minutes later, just before the half, Caitlin Wesnesky put it over the keepers head off a ball from Rebecca Hollstegge.
Game Story
Box Score
Sept. 5 – Cross Country @ Eye Opener Invitational – M – 6th, W – 7th
Both the men’s and women’s cross country teams were in action for their first meet of the season, running in the Eye Opener Invitational, hosted by USC Upstate. Andrew King finished 5th overall, while freshman Adrienne Cuff finished 22nd, the top finisher for CSU on the women’s side.
Men’s Story
Men’s Results
Women’s Story
Women’s Results
Sept. 5 – Football @ Florida – L, 3-62
Despite a lopsided score, CSU had the opportunity for points on four different drives against the defending national champs and preseason #1 team. The offensive unit posted 18 first downs and 323 total yards, including 206 in the first half against the Florida Gators, gaining a lot of confidence against the best team in the country. Coach Jay Mills said all week that he hoped to “Glorify God in all that we do,” and the way the players handled themselves before, during and after the game, they were able to do just that. Alex Neal and Kwame Krakue both had career days with seven and six catches, respectively.
Game Story
Box Score
Game Quotes
Sept. 6 – Soccer @ Longwood (LU Tournament) – L, 1-2
It took five games and an overtime period for the soccer team to taste defeat, but the hosting Longwood Lancers did so in the finale of their four-team tournament. Sarah Catenacci got another goal, blasting a shot from outside the 18 just 1:17 into the game. A second-half equalizer in the 48th minute tied things up and led to overtime. Almost three minutes in, a battle in the box turned into the game-winner for LU.
Game Story
Box Score
What’s Coming Up:
Sept. 8 – Volleyball @ The Citadel – 7 p.m.
Sept. 9 – Soccer @ The Citadel – 4 p.m.
Sept. 12 – Football @ Wofford – 7 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
Life is Goodenough: September 7, 2009
To our Freshmen Parents:
Your daughters are doing great!
Being a college freshman means meeting new people, making your own decisions, managing your time and money, figuring out how to get along with strangers with whom you now share a bedroom and bathroom, learning how to maneuver around in a new city, getting to classes, incorporating time to study and do homework, prioritizing the events your calendar, and so on 
and so on. Oh, and for my five freshmen, we have also added 8 hours per week for study hall, academic meetings, early morning weight training, conditioning, and individual skill workouts. They will also be expected to attend weekly Bible study, FCA, and participate in community service activities. No doubt they do have busy schedules, but parents, they are doing great! Day by day, your daughters are learning about being responsible and accountable, while fighting through the adversity of waking up early and fighting through soreness and fatigue.
I really like this freshmen class! Though they have distinct personalities and interests, they are similar in their strong work ethic and in their love for basketball. Our freshmen are: Lakeitha Alston, Helen Terry, Shay Jones, Kori Penick and Katie St. Clair. 
My freshmen enlightened me in our last freshmen meeting on their perspective of how everything is currently going for them. They were all very honest about the fact that they miss their moms and dads. Not surprising, because we have an exceptional group of parents. They also miss their bedrooms and own beds. Shay was the first to say she misses her mother’s cooking. Katie misses working out with her dad. Kori misses her parents and also her little sister. Lakeitha has the luxury of having both her older sister and her twin sister here at CSU with her; however she does feel a void without her dog.
Though moving away from home is a challenge, Helen believes that the transition has been much easier because everyone on campus is so nice and it has been easy to meet people. Academically, Kori and Shay feel pretty confident that their classes will not be near as tough as they had expected. Katie has decided that having a roommate is fun and Lakeitha has found that it is easy to find good food in the cafeteria.
Although they miss high school activities and the comfort of being around their long time high school friends, they are enjoying the new freedoms that college offers. They are enjoying living on campus, having awesome teammates, and being recognized already as CSU women’s basketball players. With each workout, they are appreciating hard work even more and consider it a blessing and a great opportunity to represent Charleston Southern University on the basketball court.
This is a talented group a young ladies who will help our team have another record setting season. Parents – thank you for sharing your daughters with our program and CSU and I am so excited for our fans to get to know them as players very soon!
