FVSU Football Signs 32 Student-Athletes to National Letters of Intent

FORT VALLEY, Georgia -- With just under 55 players returning from last year's championship team, Fort Valley State's Head Coach, Kevin Porter has announced the signing of 32 student-athletes to the 2017 Wildcats recruiting class.

"We are happy with the young men that we have attracted. We set out to find as many high academic student-athletes that we could and to improve the athleticism on our football team," FVSU head football coach Kevin Porter said.  "I feel like our coaching staff did a great job targeting local young men within a thirty to forty mile radius which helps us in many different ways."

2017 Fort Valley State Football Signees (February 21, 2017)
 
NAME:  SHERROD AGEE
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-0
Weight:  240
Hometown:  Calhoun, Ga.
Previous School:  Sonoraville High School
 
NAME:  ZACH ANDERSON
Position:  Defensive Back     
Height:  5-11
Weight:  185
Hometown:  Cairo, Ga.
Previous School:  Cairo High School
 
NAME:  MALIK ARSTRONG
Position:  Quarterback          
Height:  6-3
Weight:  230
Hometown:  Temple, Ga.
Previous School:  Temple High School
 
NAME:  ZAQUAN BALDWIN
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-0
Weight:  205
Hometown:  Macon, Ga.
Previous School:  Southwest High School
 
NAME:  BLANE BROWN
Position:  Offensive Lineman
Height:  6-2
Weight:  290
Hometown:  Blairsville, Ga.
Previous School:  Union County High School 
 
NAME:  VINCENT BUCKLEY
Position:  Offensive Lineman
Height:  6-3
Weight:  340
Hometown:  Kennesaw, Ga.
Previous School:  Sprayberry High School 
 
NAME:  KOBY BULTER
Position:  Running Back        
Height:  5-10
Weight:  205
Hometown:  Camillia, Ga.
Previous School:  Mitchell County High School 
 
NAME:  PAYTON CHIVERS
Position:  Offensive Lineman
Height:  6-3
Weight:  330
Hometown:  Carrollton, Ga.
Previous School:  Carrollton High School
 
NAME:  ADDISON FORD
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-2
Weight:  210
Hometown:  Covington, Ga.
Previous School:  Covington High School
 
NAME:  NATHANIEL FREENEY
Position:  Defensive Lineman           
Height:  6-2
Weight:  235
Hometown:  , Ga.
Previous School:  Twiggs County High School
NAME:  RASHAAD GATES
Position:  Offensive Lineman
Height:  6-3
Weight:  290
Hometown:  Fairburn, Ga.
Previous School:  Creekside High School
 
NAME:  ANTONIO GOLDEN
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-3
Weight:  230
Hometown:  Midway, Ga.
Previous School:  Liberty County High School
 
NAME:  MAJESTE HANSBERRY
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-2
Weight:  220
Hometown:  Atlanta, Ga.
Previous School:  North Atlanta High School
 
NAME:  KYMELE HART
Position:  Offensive Lineman
Height:  6-6
Weight:  315
Hometown:  Tift, Ga.
Previous School:  Tift Area High School
 
NAME:  MICHAEL HICKS, JR.
Position:  Defensive Back     
Height:  6-0
Weight:  190
Hometown:  Hollywood, Fl.
Previous School:  American Heritage High School
 
NAME:  STACY IVEY, JR.
Position:  Defensive Lineman
Height:  6-3
Weight:  315
Hometown:  Macon, Ga.
Previous School:  Southwest High School
 
NAME:  TAY JARRELL
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-1
Weight:  210
Hometown:  Forsyth, Ga.
Previous School:  Mary Persons High School
 
NAME:  JAYLEN LOWDER
Position:  Tight End
Height:  6-3
Weight:  225
Hometown:  Bonaire, Ga.
Previous School:  Veterans High School
 
NAME:  EVAN MANN
Position:  Full Back    
Height:  5-11
Weight:  215
Hometown:  Fairburn, Ga.
Previous School:  Creekside High School
 
NAME:  JEREMY MCCANTS
Position:  Running Back        
Height:  6-1
Weight:  210
Hometown:  Anniston, Ga.
Previous School:  Anniston High School
 
NAME:  KAMARIE MULLINS
Position:  Running Back        
Height:  6-1
Weight:  190
Hometown:  Lithonia, Ga.
Previous School:  Lithonia High School 
 
NAME:  ISAIAH NELSON
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-2
Weight:  215
Hometown:  Jonesboro, Ga.
Previous School:  Community Christian High School
 
NAME:  JACQUEZ OLIVER
Position:  Tight End   
Height:  6-2
Weight:  240
Hometown:  Cairo, Ga.
Previous School:  Cairo High School
 
NAME:  JOSE PASCUAL
Position:  Offensive Lineman
Height:  6-2
Weight:  315
Hometown:  Hollywood, Fl.
Previous School:  Mcarthur High School
 
NAME:  JAHSEARI PATTERSON
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-2
Weight:  220
Hometown:  Cairo, Ga.
Previous School:  Cairo High School
 
NAME:  BRANDON PERRY
Position:  Defensive Lineman           
Height:  6-0
Weight:  285
Hometown:  Perry, Ga.
Previous School:  Kipp Atlanta College
 
NAME:  KE'ANDRE RUTLEDGE
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-1
Weight:  225
Hometown:  Selma, Al.
Previous School:  Southside High School
 
NAME:  VANN SCOTT
Position:  Defensive Lineman           
Height:  6-3
Weight:  250
Hometown:  Thomasville, Ga.
Previous School:  Thomas County High School
 
NAME:  JUAN TUCKER
Position:  Full Back    
Height:  5-11
Weight:  230
Hometown:  Stockbridge, Ga.
Previous School:  Lamar County High School
 
NAME:  TREVEON WALKER
Position:  Linebacker
Height:  6-4
Weight:  225
Hometown:  College Park, Ga.
Previous School:  Upson Lee High School
 
NAME:  GERALD WILLIAMS
Position:  Defensive Lineman           
Height:  6-0
Weight:  260
Hometown:  Ludwici, Ga.
Previous School:  Long County High School
 
NAME:  JAYLEN WINGFIELD
Position:  Defensive Back     
Height:  6-3
Weight:  195
Hometown:  Hagan, Ga.
Previous School:  Claxton High School 

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

North Carolina Central Eagles Capture MEAC Regular Season Championship against B-CU

DURHAM, North Carolina -- North Carolina Central University clinched its third Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Regular Season title in the last four years by defeating Bethune-Cookman, 78-65 at McDougald-McLendon Arena on Saturday, Feb. 25 for Senior Day.

NCCU (22-6, 13-1 MEAC) will be the top seed in the upcoming MEAC Basketball Tournament in Norfolk, Virginia, and will play the winner between the eight- and nine-seed matchup on Wednesday night, March 8 at 6:00 p.m. at Scope Arena.



The first half went back and forth between the Eagles and B-CU (7-21, 4-10 MEAC), as the lead changed hands four times and the score was tied on five occasions.

Senior Del'vin Dickerson (Houston, Texas) had a strong start for NCCU as he put in eight points with four rebounds in the first half, but Diamante Lewis (Ocala, Fla.) was the driving force for the Wildcats with 10 points and five boards.

The Eagles really came alive in the second half, and expanded the lead to as many as 20 twice on the way to the eventual 15-point win. The seniors really led the charge for the maroon and gray, as Dickerson and Patrick Cole (Newark, N.J.) teamed up to produce the second tandem double-double this season. Dickerson finished with a game-high 20 points and 11 rebounds, and Cole picked up 13 points with 11 assists on several flashy passes.

Rashaun Madison (Norfolk, Va.) knocked down five three-pointers on his way to 17 points and a joint game-high four steals, and Dajuan Graf (Charlotte, N.C.) made all 10 of his free throw attempts to collect 14 points and six assists. Kyle Benton (Long Beach, Calif.) was another big senior contributor with game-highs in blocks with four and rebounds with 13, and also put in six points.

Lewis finished with a team-high 17 points for the Wildcats with six rebounds and four assists, followed by Jeff Altidort (Coral Springs, Fla.) with 14 points, and Quinton Forrest (Windermere, Fla.) with 10 points and five rebounds.

The Eagles close out the home schedule on Monday, Feb. 27 against Savannah State at 7:30 p.m. before ending the regular season on Thursday, March 2 at North Carolina A&T.

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NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Bowie State Bulldogs Capture CIAA Championship With 62-54 Win Over Fayetteville State

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Bowie State won the battle of attrition against Fayetteville State and captured a CIAA Men's Basketball Championship because of it.

Tournament MVP junior Ahmaad Wilson (Baltimore, Md.) scored 20 points as the Bulldogs outlasted the Broncos 62-54 at the Spectrum Center on Saturday (2/25) night. The conference crown was the first since 2013 and the third overall for the Bulldogs, who gained the automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Tournament that goes with winning the championship.

The Bulldogs (16-14 overall), seeded fourth in the Northern Division, won the title by exhibiting the toughness that has marked the program since Darrell Brooks became head coach. They won four games in four days in the tournament including victories over Northern Division top seed Virginia Union and Southern Division No. 2 seed Livingstone.

"It was one of those games where you had to be gritty," said Brooks, who captured his second CIAA championship at Bowie State. "It wasn't pretty. Both teams struggled offensively due to good defense. We just stuck with it."

Their opponent on Saturday was equally tough as the Broncos (13-16), seeded fourth in the Southern Division, also played their fourth game in four days. The low-scoring contest featured seven lead changes and three ties but the Bulldogs made key plays in the second half that turned the game in their favor.

The biggest plays occurred early in the second half with the Bulldogs nursing a 27-26 lead. After two free throws by senior Enuoma Ebinum (Greenbelt, Md.), the Bulldogs converted two steals off inbound passes into an Omari George (Baltimore, Md.) layup and a Wilson three-pointer to extend the margin to 34-26. It was the cushion they needed to stay ahead even though the Broncos pulled within three points twice.

But after the score was 52-49 on Josh Bryant's layup, standout point guard Josh Dawson, who averaged 17.5 points the previous three games, was whistled for his fifth foul at the 2:12 mark. With the Broncos floor leader and catalyst watching from the bench, the Bulldogs finished with a 10-5 run to put the game away.

"Thank God!," said Wilson afterward when asked about Dawson fouling out the game.

Dawson, guarded tightly by a stout Bulldogs defense, scored nine points but added four assists and five rebounds.

"We wanted to keep a fresh body on him," Wilson said. "He scored 28 the previous night. We didn't want him to go off."

Both George and Ebinum added 11 points each for the Bulldogs with Ebinum collecting three blocks including a couple down the stretch to ward off a late Broncos run. Senior Michael Briscoe (Baltimore, Md.) contributed nine points, eight rebounds and two steals for the Bulldogs, who shot 39.3 percent but scored 18 points off 16 Bronco turnovers. George and junior Dayshawn Wells (Baltimore, Md.) combined for six of the Bulldogs' 10 steals.

Bryant produced 14 points and nine rebounds for the Broncos, who shot 37.7 percent. Michael Tyson added 10 points and eight rebounds while William Tibbs and Jyonte Raynor scored eight points apiece for the Broncos, who outrebounded the Bulldogs 40-33.

Playing four consecutive days seemed to catch up with both teams early on. Neither team provided much fireworks offensively as the Bulldogs shot 32.1 percent and the Broncos 24.1 percent. The point total was the second-lowest for the Broncos and the fourth-lowest for the Bulldogs this season.

The Bulldogs managed to generate some offense midway in the half. A three-point play by George capped a 10-4 run which gave the Bulldogs an 18-12 lead with 4:08 left. The Broncos came back with an 8-3 run capped by two Dawson free throws to trim the margin to 21-20 at halftime.

Wilson scored six points and George added five points and three steals while Briscoe snatched six rebounds for the Bulldogs, who forced nine Bronco turnovers for nine points. Bryant scored seven points and corralled six rebounds and Tibbs chipped in six points for the Broncos, who outrebounded the Bulldogs 24-18.

Though the Bulldogs claimed the championship, the Broncos felt a sense of accomplishment after defying the odds and reaching the title game. They knocked off Southern Division top seed Shaw and No. 2 Northern Division seed Virginia State, the defending champion, on the way to the finals.

Both teams displayed fortitude in the tournament, but the Bulldogs finished strong in the closing minutes.

Wilson was one of 10 players selected to the CIAA All-Tournament team. The others are Briscoe of Bowie State, Dawson, Tyson and Bryant of Fayetteville State, David Duncan of Livingstone, Quincy January of Saint Augustine's, Elijah Moore and Richard Granberry of Virginia State and Robert Davis of Johnson C. Smith.

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BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Johnson C. Smith women beat Virginia State to win first CIAA title since 2009

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina -- Steve Joyner Jr. delivered on his pledge to make J.C. Smith women’s basketball relevant again.

The Golden Bulls, the South Division’s top seed, wore down North No. 3 Virginia State 68-59 for the CIAA title Saturday at Spectrum Center, winning the school’s first championship since 2009 and earning an automatic berth in the Division II national tournament. As has been the case throughout the tournament, J.C. Smith’s (22-7) bench came up big, outscoring Virginia State’s reserves 47-14.

“I think our depth was the difference-maker,” said Joyner, who became the first person to earn a CIAA title as a player and coach and joined his dad Steve Sr. as the first relatives to win league titles as coaches. “I think they got tired in the second half because of the tempo we forced them to play, and that was the deciding factor.”

The best of the reserves was ...

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FAMU Walks-Off Again, Winning 6-5 in the 11th over GW

COURTESY: FAMU ATHLETICS

TALLAHASSEE, Florida -- The FAMU Rattlers (4-2) won in walk-off fashion for the second straight day, downing George Washington (2-5) by a score of 6-5 in 11 innings. The Rattlers trailed for the majority of the ball game, but they showed their resiliency once again in the late innings, rallying in the bottom of the ninth inning to tie the game, and walking off with the win in the eleventh.

John Capra led off the final inning with a one out single down the right field line. Brian Davis and Ben Ellzey both walked, loading the bases for freshman pinch-hitter, Eric Blanc Jr., who hit a chopper up the first base line, allowing Capra to beat the throw home and score the game’s winning run, sending the FAMU faithful off in celebration.

Trailing 5-4, FAMU rallied to tie the score and send the game to extra innings in the bottom of the ninth. Reese reached on an error and then Capra singled up the middle. Brian Davis then came through with the game tying RBI on a line drive single to left center field, scoring pinch-runner Malachi Mitchell from second.

John Capra, Ben Ellzey, and Brian Davis led the way at the plate for the Rattlers. Capra recorded four hits for the second time this season and contributed with a run scored and an RBI. Ellzey extended his hitting streak to 27 games, finishing the day 2-for-3 with three walks and his first home run of the season. Davis was 1-for-3 with two RBI, a run scored, and two walks.

Jamie Grant (2-0) picked up his second win of the season, throwing two scoreless innings of relief, allowing only one hit. Thomas Nicoll (3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 K) also pitched well on the afternoon.

The Rattlers jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of a two out double off the bat of sophomore Willis McDaniel. Brian Davis walked with one out, and Ben Ellzey singled to right field, placing runners on first and second. McDaniel then drove in the game’s first run on an RBI double, scoring Davis from second.

George Washington answered back in the top of the second inning with a two out double of their own. Matt Cosentino, who reached on a single through the right side, was running on the pitch and scored all the way from first base on a double by Brandon Chapman, tying the game at 1-1.

A pair of free passes came back to bite FAMU starter Ryan Anderson in the top of the third inning as George Washington jumped out to a 4-1 lead. Kashi led off the inning with a walk, and with two outs Mark Osis was hit by a pitch. The next batter for the Colonials, Bobby Campbell, homered to left field, scoring three runs.

Ben Ellzey trimmed the George Washington lead to two, on his homerun to left field in the bottom of the third inning.

Florida A&M battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, forcing the Colonials to make three pitching changes in the inning. Ty Russ got things started, drawing a one out walk. Garrett Wilkinson then singled through the left side, and Kaycee Reese followed with a walk to load the bases for Capra, who smoked a line drive single to left field, scoring the first run of the inning. Brian Davis then tied the game at 4-4 with a sacrifice fly to center field.

The Colonials regained the lead at 5-4 in the top of the eighth thanks to three consecutive two-out singles. With runners on first and second, Robbie Metz delivered a single to right field, scoring Osis from second.

In the end, the Rattlers had too much fight, as they gutted out another win, stealing the second game, and clinching the series from the George Washington Colonials.

Ryan Anderson did not factor into the decision, but finished the day with six innings pitched, allowing six hits and four runs with four strikeouts.

George Washington reliever John Greeley (0-1) suffered the loss giving up one run on one hit and two walks in 1.1 innings pitched.

Florida A&M and George Washington will play the final game of the three-game series tomorrow at 11:00 AM at Moore-Kittles Field.

As always, fans can follow Rattler Baseball on Twitter @BaseballFAMU and on Facebook. Live Stats are also available on the baseball schedule page of FAMUAthletics.com.

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FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION

Stewart joins XU sports medicine staff

NIA STEWART

NEW ORLEANS — Nia Stewart has joined the Xavier University of Louisiana sports medicine staff as an athletic trainer. She will work primarily with XULA teams in volleyball, women's basketball and men's and women's tennis, plus the spirit groups.

The XULA trainer positions are part of the partnership between XULA Athletics and Ochsner Health System's sports medicine division. XULA's other athletic trainer is Mark Armour, a member of the staff since July 2015.

Stewart has been an Ochsner athletic trainer since August 2015. Before that she served two seasons as an intern athletic trainer with the New Orleans VooDoo of the Arena Football League.

Stewart's certifications are NASE Level II Certified Speed Specialist, Louisiana Licensed Athletic Trainer, NATABOC Certified Athletic Trainer and American Heart Association BLS for Healthcare Providers.

"Nia will be a great addition to our sports medicine team. The management team at the Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute is the 'best of the best' and has provided us with several very qualified candidates," said XULA Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn. "Athletic trainers are a vital part of our operation, and Nia has great experience plus she has the insight of being a former student-athlete. We look forward to her working with several of our teams and spirit groups."

Stewart received her bachelor's degree from Southeastern Louisiana University, where she was a four-year letterwinner in women's track and field, set school records indoors in the 55- and 60-meter dashes and was a Southland Conference runner-up in the long jump. Stewart received her master's degree in exercise science and health promotion from California University of Pennsylvania.

Stewart replaces Allison Wood, who departed XULA in January to become head athletic trainer of the Los Angeles Dodgers' two teams in the Dominican Summer League.

XULA teams compete in the NAIA as a member of the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference.

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Pat Kendrick named Xavier head volleyball coach

PAT KENDRICK

NEW ORLEANS — Pat Kendrick, a successful NCAA Division I head coach with nearly 500 career victories, is the new head coach of women's volleyball at Xavier University of Louisiana, effective March 1.
     
XULA Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn announced the hiring of Kendrick Thursday. Kendrick — who won 467 matches in 30 seasons (1985-2014) at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. — replaces Hannah Lawing, who resigned in December after four seasons.
     
"Xavier University has a great academic reputation, and the volleyball teams have been quite successful in conference," Kendrick said. "I want to bring Xavier to the point where it's a nationally recognized volleyball program to go with its nationally recognized academic programs.
     
"Through my experiences with George Mason and USA Volleyball programs, I know the game and training players, match strategy and recruiting. I know how to get players to work hard and find success on and off the court."
     
Kendrick was Virginia Tech's director of volleyball operations the past two seasons.
     
Kendrick's George Mason teams won eight Colonial Athletic Association championships and qualified seven times for the NCAA Tournament. Eight of her teams reached 20 victories, and two of those eight reached 30.
     
Kendrick is an eight-time CAA Coach of the Year. She was named state coach of the year by the Virginia Sports Information Directors six times. Her career record at Mason was 467-439.
     
"Our coaching opportunity had many great candidates from across the country show interest. We are extremely thrilled to gain a coach with the experience of Coach Kendrick," Horn said. "We were seeking someone who understands the mission of Xavier University and the potential we have with our program to build a national contender here in New Orleans.
     
"The search committee was very impressed with the preparation, planning and presentation of Coach Kendrick during the interview process. She is a proven winner, she looks forward to being a part of the development of and graduating our student-athletes, and many of her values and philosophies for the game mirror the Xavier mission."
     
Opponents from current P5 conferences that George Mason defeated during Kendrick's tenure included Arkansas, Baylor, Boston College, Florida State, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, NC State, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Washington and West Virginia.
     
Kendrick coached six student-athletes to a total of 10 CAA Player of the Year awards, including three-time winner Aline Pereira. Kendrick has coached six CAA Rookie of the Year honorees and two CAA Setters of the Year. Five times under Kendrick, student-athletes were named CoSIDA Academic All-America.
     
Kendrick has served since 1994 as a USA Volleyball Cadre (instructor) for the coaches accreditation program. She coached numerous USA Volleyball High Performance, Olympic Festival and Junior National teams. She coached the East to a silver medal at the 1993 U.S. Olympic Festival in San Antonio. Kendrick served four years on the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Rules Committee, and she was a voter on the American Volleyball Coaches Association's top 25 poll.
     
Kendrick is a George Mason graduate, was a standout hurdler on the track team and was inducted to the school's hall of fame for that sport in 1991. Kendrick was an volleyball assistant coach at Mason for two seasons with the women and one season with the men before ascending to the top women's position.
     
XULA enters 2017 as a six-time defending regular-season and tournament champion in the NAIA's Gulf Coast Athletic Conference. The Gold Nuggets were eliminated in the NAIA National Championship opening round each of the past six seasons. XULA was 16-17 overall, 11-1 in the GCAC in 2016.

What They're Saying About Pat Kendrick

Russ Rose, Penn State Women's Head Coach
     
"Pat Kendrick will be a great addition to Xavier and the NAIA. She will bring great energy and experience to the position. She is a terrific recruiter, and she has a positive outlook. I expect great things from her."

Fred Chao, Former George Mason Men's Head Coach and Virginia Tech Women's Assistant Coach
     
"Pat has a lot of experience that covers all levels of volleyball. Not just the women's game, but also the men's. Her content knowledge is good. She really cares about her players, which is what sets her apart from others. These days the nurturing part is sometimes lacking in sport. Pat can nurture while also maintaining leadership. She is like family to me."

Doug Beal, Retired CEO of USA Volleyball
     
"I congratulate Xavier for hiring Pat. She has terrific experiences at college, but also with USA Volleyball in the High Performance Program over many years, working and nurturing some of the top talent in our country. Pat is a player's coach and cares deeply about each student-athlete. She knows the game at a high level, can communicate that knowledge and I'm sure she will help Xavier reach new levels of success with the program. Congrats on getting a great coach and a great person."

Dottie Hampton, South Carolina Assistant Coach
     
"I am so excited for PK and this new opportunity. She has been such a great teacher and mentor to me over the years. I know she will do great things at Xavier. Her knowledge of the game is so great. Xavier is so lucky to have a head coach like Pat Kendrick. I think she will be awesome at Xavier."

Ed Cassiere, Sports Information Director
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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