NSU Football Defense/Special Teams Preview: Ball-Hawking Spartans Look for More of the Same in 2018

NORFOLK, Virginia -- If there was one word to describe the Norfolk State defense last season, it would be opportunistic. The Spartans featured a defense in 2017 which forced 26 turnovers, including 17 interceptions.

What's more, the Spartans turned those opponent miscues into points, tying for the NCAA Division I FCS national lead in defensive touchdowns, with six. The Spartans scored two non-offensive touchdowns in wins against both Florida A&M and Morgan State. NSU forced at least one turnover in 10 games and at least three in five contests.

NSU will look for more of the same this year from a unit which returns six starters, including four from its ball-hawking secondary. Here is a position-by-position look at the Spartan defense and special teams heading into 2018:

DEFENSIVE LINE
NSU in a unique position along its defensive front this year. Despite losing the services of graduated three-time All-MEAC selection Chris Lee, the Spartans boast more depth than last season. The returners are headlined by senior defensive tackle Deshaywn Middleton. The preseason All-MEAC third-team selection has started 17 games in his two seasons with the Spartans, and has the ability to play either nose guard or tackle in NSU's modified defensive front. He was in on 39 tackles a year ago.

NSU's defensive coaches have a number of options in the trenches. The unit will be bolstered by the return of junior Kyron Speller, who was expected to be a key contributor last season before being lost for the season with an injury sustained during preseason camp. University of Nevada graduate transfer Ricky Thomas Jr. is also expected to have an early impact after spending three seasons at the Division I FBS level.

Other key returnees include sophomore De'Shaan Dixon, who showed loads of potential as a pass-rusher during his freshman season; sophomore nose guard Tavien Blackwell, who played in 10 games as a freshman last season; and junior Josh Bryant, who also played in 10 games but was slowed at times by nagging injuries. Also back is junior nose guard Walter Brantley, a proven run-stopper who was not with the team last season, but started eight times and tallied 58 tackles his first two years (2015-16) with the program.

"We're going to look a lot different up front this season just because of the depth we have this year, that we didn't always have last season," head coach Latrell Scott said.

LINEBACKER
Linebacker is another spot where the Spartans suffered some notable losses from last year's team, but still have plenty of potential. Gone from 2017 are All-MEAC performers Anthony Smith and Kyle Archie, the team's top two tacklers.

With the team switching to a slightly new look that will include, at times, four linebackers on the field, the Spartans will emphasize speed at the position. One way that will be accomplished is moving junior Nigel Chavis to more of an outside linebacker position, where he began his career in 2016. Chavis played defensive end last season and earned third-team All-MEAC accolades after leading all conference linemen with 82 tackles, including 8.5 for loss and five sacks. One of the team's top all-around players, Chavis will have even more opportunity to showcase his versatility this year.

Another outside linebacker position figures to be manned by converted quarterback Tyre Givers-Wilson. A redshirt sophomore, Givers-Wilson made the position change late in 2017 and has impressed coaches in the short few months that he's played the new position. Givers-Wilson, sophomore Matt Hodges and senior Michael Kwegyir-Attah bring speed and play-making ability to the edges of the Spartan defense.

Senior Quintreil Chung will man one inside linebacker position. Another former offensive player, Chung switched from running back to linebacker mid-year in 2017 and finished the year with 33 tackles in his eight games played on defense. Middle Tennessee transfer Dale Craig, redshirt senior and former defensive end James Byers, and redshirt freshman Marquis Hall will all see time and bring a variety of skill and athleticism to the inside linebacker position.

"I like the group we have at linebacker," Scott said. "They've been flying around making plays during camp, and I think we have a lot of potential in that room."

SECONDARY
Cornerbacks J.T. Wahee and Aaron Chandler and safeties Bobby Price and Nhyre' Quinerly started all 11 games at their respective positions last season. The Spartans tied for the MEAC lead with 17 interceptions as a team, and 11 came from that quartet of starting defensive backs. Just as impressively, three of the four (Quinerly, Wahee, Chandler) scored a defensive touchdown in 2017.

Wahee tied for fifth in the MEAC with four interceptions last season, scored on a 96-yard fumble return against Florida A&M and also on a defensive two-point conversion against Morgan State where he returned an INT the length of the field. He was named to the preseason All-MEAC second team.

Chandler picked off two passes last season, one of which he returned for a score in that same victory at Morgan State. Price also intercepted two passes and has shown the knack for making the bit hit from the back line of the defense.

Quinerly, the free safety, had an impressive first season with NSU after transferring from East Carolina. He made 62 tackles, two for loss, intercepted three passes and also scored on a fumble return (against JMU).

Cornerbacks Shaikh Carmichael and Rashard Russell Jr. and safety Mark Brown all contributed last season as well, particularly on special teams, and will add good depth to the secondary. Redshirt freshman Johnathan Gregory, sophomore newcomer Demetrius Harp and true freshmen Brandon Savage and Shaviaea Williams are also in the mix to see snaps in the defensive backfield.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Spartans are very experienced in all phases of special teams. Sophomores Taylor Goettie (punter) and Josh Nardone (kicker) started as true freshmen. Goettie averaged nearly 39 yards per punt as a rookie, while Nardone made six field goals and converted all but one extra point in 2017. Those two will be aided by the addition of freshman Owen Malik.

Marcus Taylor led the MEAC in kickoff return average (23.8-yard average) and scored on a 100-yarder at JMU, the Spartans' first kickoff return TD since 2008. He will also get more opportunities to return punts this season. True freshman receiver Quentin Greene will also look to make an impact in the return game.

Long snapper Zac Denton and short snapper Dominic Jordan also return.

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Norfolk State Women's Basketball Announces 2018-19 Schedule

HEAD COACH LARRY VICKERS

NORFOLK, Virginia -- Fourteen home contests as well as a cross-town showdown with Old Dominion are on tap for Norfolk State women's basketball as head coach Larry Vickers announced the 2018-19 schedule on Friday.

The Spartans' home slate features six non-conference tilts as well as eight MEAC contests. Games with Mississippi and Wake Forest as well as the two-day Christmas City Classic highlight NSU's calendar away from home.

NSU kicks off the season on Nov. 6 on the road at Ole Miss. The Rebels are the Spartan's first opponent from a Power Five conference (ACC, Big Ten, Big XII, Pac-12, SEC) since Mississippi State during the 2015-16 season.

"This is a very challenging schedule and, top to bottom, the most difficult we have faced," Vickers said. "With so many starters returning, we wanted to make sure we provided enough challenges to continue building on what we have accomplished. That started with scheduling two Power Five opponents on the road."

Three days later, Norfolk State takes on inner-city rival Old Dominion in the 18th all-time fixture in the series.

The Spartans begin a three-game home stand against Cheyney on Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. NSU then hosts Navy on Nov. 18 and Campbell two days later. Start time for the Navy contest is scheduled for 4 p.m. The Campbell game begins at 11 a.m.

The game against Navy is the first of five rematches from last season's non-conference slate. The Spartans went 3-2 against opponents featured on the 2018-19 schedule. Overall, Vickers owns a 7-4 record against 2018 non-conference opponents

Norfolk State then returns to the road for the Christmas City Classic, hosted by Lehigh in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. The Spartans play Lehigh on Nov. 24 before facing either Charlotte or Liberty the following day.

The non-conference schedule concludes with six games in December. The Spartans return to the Keystone State on Dec. 9 for a road clash with La Salle before hosting Longwood on Nov. 12 at 6 p.m.

NSU then heads south for a Dec. 15 game at High Point. Three days later, the Spartans' final non-conference home stand beings against St. Augustine's on Dec. 18 at 6 p.m. William & Mary visits Echols Hall on Dec. 21 for a 2 p.m. contest.

The 2018 slate ends on Dec. 30 at Wake Forest.

"The number of NCAA Tournament-caliber teams on the schedule is staggering, but we are excited for the opportunity to continue making a name for Norfolk State women's basketball," Vickers said. "These games will prepare us for MEAC play and put us in the best position to compete for a championship with such diverse and strong teams in the conference."

The 16-game MEAC slate starts with two-straight home contests, beginning with a Jan. 5 clash with Delaware State at 4 p.m. Two days later, the Spartans entertain Florida A&M at 5:30 p.m.

All weekend home conference games begin at 4 p.m. Weekday MEAC home contests tip at 5:30 p.m.

NSU's first road conference game is on Jan. 12 at Coppin State. The Spartans then return home to host Bethune-Cookman before embarking on a road swing to Savannah State on Jan. 19 and South Carolina State on Jan. 21.

Maryland Eastern Shore comes to Norfolk on Jan. 26 to close out the January schedule.

The Spartans open February on a three-game road trip and play four of their six February games away from home. Norfolk State plays at Howard on Feb. 2 before receiving a week-long respite.

NSU then jumps back into conference action with a tough Florida trip to Bethune-Cookman on Feb. 9 and Florida A&M on Feb. 11.

Basketball returns to Echols Hall on Feb. 16 for a tilt against North Carolina Central. The Spartans then host North Carolina A&T on Feb. 18.

Norfolk State closes out the month at Morgan State on Feb. 23. The Spartans then receive another week off before hosting Coppin State on March 2.

NSU then travels to Delaware State on March 4. The regular season concludes on March 7 with a home date against Howard.

The 2019 MEAC Tournament runs from March 11 until March 16 at the Norfolk Scope Arena.

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Nuggets win opener in 4 close sets vs. Cumberlands

BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky — Xavier University of Louisiana opened its 2018 volleyball season Friday with a 25-23, 24-26, 25-21, 25-23 victory against Cumberlands in the Mid-South Crossover Challenge.
     
The Gold Nuggets got double-doubles from Eva Le Guillou (11 digs, career-high 44 assists), Kayla Black (15 kills, 12 digs) and Marine Angely (10 kills, 16 digs, three aces). Beatrice Formilan had 25 digs and four aces, and Taylor Ducros had three aces and 13 digs.
     
Vivica Price-Spraggins produced 12 kills to tie her career high, and Jordan Johnson had six blocks. Adili Rikondja had nine kills and four blocks.

BOX SCORE
     
It was the collegiate debut of Angely, Formilan and Johnson, all freshmen. Angely and Johnson were starters, and Formilan was the libero.
     
XULA won the first set after trailing 15-11 and closed the match with a 13-6 run after trailing 17-12.
     
"It was a good start," said second-year XULA coach Pat Kendrick. "Cumberlands is a good team and had us on the ropes, but we came back. We showed mental toughness."
     
Lily Chapman had 16 kills, Tara Routliffe had 26 digs, and Ashley Sobocinski served five aces for the Patriots (1-1).
     
XULA was to play NAIA No. 17 Georgetown (Ky.) at 8 p.m. Friday. The Gold Nuggets will play Saturday against Pikeville at 10 a.m. and NAIA No. 22 Indiana Wesleyan at 2 p.m.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletic Director for Communications
XULAgold.com
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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Competition for playing time heats up at SSU

SAVANNAH, Georgia -- The battle for starting quarterback might be front and center for Savannah State University, but several skirmishes at other positions dot the football practice field at Theodore A. Wright Stadium as well.

Just one week before the Tigers' Aug. 30 season-opener with Alabama-Birmingham, head coach Erik Raeburn said several members of his strong 2018 recruiting class will see playing time.

"Maybe there aren't as many starters as we had last season but we have a bunch of guys who will rotate in there to give the starters a breather and play on special teams," Raeburn said.

Saturday's scrimmage provided a sample of freshmen contributions. Running back D'Angelo Durham led the squad with 73 rushing yards, and outside linebacker Chris Smith had a team-leading six tackles with a sack and two tackles for losses to pace the defense and late signee, quarterback Craig Grant, threw for 142 yards and two scores.

Durham won't unseat incumbent starter Jaylen McCloud, who led the running backs with 387 rushing yards a year ago, but will be in the rotation with CJ Cole and Rashad Saxton.

Smith sits behind preseason All-MEAC performer Stefen Banks and Christian Guinn, but has impressed the staff with his speed and aggressiveness.

And Grant will be behind TJ Bell and D'Vonn Gibbons, but the Tigers know first-hand you can never have too many quarterbacks.

Raeburn sees freshmen Rod Evans and Treveyon Pratt strengthening a stable of wide receivers that include Czar Beneby, JaMichael Baldwin, Ronnie Stevens, D'Andre Snead, James Kicklighter and Elijah Shah.

The Tigers' top three wide receivers finished their eligibility last season so there's plenty of catches to go around for a team that runs a spread attack.

"We'll play a lot of guys there," Raeburn said. "It's hard to just play two or three guys anyway because they run so much and we don't have two or three guys who are head and shoulder above the others."

Evan McGhee and Walter Yates provides versatility to the linebackers. McGhee can be moved around the front seven, and Yates played strong safety in high school at Gulf Breeze, Fla.

In the secondary, D'Armani Ridley will be the first safety in if starters Donald Rutledge or Isaiah Bennett have to come out. Nick Garner is another safety vying for time.

Cornerback Ny'Em Bozeman has had a good camp, showing his wares while forcing a fumble and recovering the loose ball during the scrimmage.

Raeburn said tackle Tahmaj Faust and guard/center Logan Kesler will be backups on the offensive line, and Michael Police, Fred Raynes and Stephen Vourilvee-Greaves should see snaps on the defensive line.

Christin "Zaine" Burton and Timothy Campbell will bolster the linebackers.

Players returning from injuries could also give the Tigers a boost. Senior linebacker Mulik Simmons missed the entire 2017 season after an injury during camp last year.

Simmons, the Tigers' leading returning tackler from 2016 (73 tackles), was a preseason second-team All-Conference pick in 2017 before the injury.

And at quarterback, Bell, who shared the starting job in 2016, is returning from a broken leg that kept him out of all but two games in 2017.

Thrust into action, Gibbons threw for 1,259 yards and 10 TDs and led SSU to three wins during the final four games last season.

"Right now, they'd both play (in the season opener)," Raeburn said. "They've been pretty even in camp and I don't foresee between now and UAB one guy being way better and playing the whole game. Having two guys you feel are even gives us a little depth there."

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"Respect the H" Debuts on WSKY4-TV Saturday

HAMPTON, Virginia -- A new Saturday morning television show featuring Hampton University Athletics will debut this Saturday at 9 am as "Respect The H with Eugene Marshall, Jr." will air on WSKY TV-4.

Joining the show this week with a special appearance is Head Football Coach Robert Prunty, along with the Director of the HU Marching Force Dr. Thomas B. Jones. This will be a new way for Hampton fans to keep up to date with athletic happenings, as Hampton makes its debut in the Big South Conference.

Keep an eye out for more guests and new features to the show which will run through the football season. The show is being taped in the state of the art TV studios in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications.

For more information on Hampton University Athletics, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com.

Hampton Men's Basketball Announces Non-Conference Slate

HAMPTON, Virginia -- The Hampton Pirates men's basketball team announced its 2018-19 non-conference schedule on Friday with participation in the GotPrint.com Legends Classic presented by Old Trapper along with a pair of contests against Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference foes.

Hampton opens the season on November 6 with a 7pm matchup against Mid-Atlantic Christian University from Elizabeth City, NC. The Pirates then start its play in the classic by visiting Virginia Commonwealth University on November 9 and then heading west to take on the University of California in Berkeley on November 13.

Following that swing, they will visit Detroit for the regional round and will open with Bowling Green on November 19. The final game of the classic will be against either Loyola (Md.) or the host Detroit-Mercy on November 20.

Following Thanksgiving, the Pirates will go back up Interstate 64 to take on the Richmond Spiders on November 25. Four days later, the "Battle of the Bay" will resume on the hardwood as Hampton visits Norfolk State on November 29 for a 7pm tip.

The month of December will start with a matchup hosting National Christian College Athletic Association member Regent University on December 1 at 7 pm. Hampton will visit Coastal Carolina on December 5, before hosting William & Mary (Dec. 8) and St. Leo (Dec. 15) both at 7 pm.

Three days before Christmas the "Battle of the Real HU" will take place in Washington, DC at the new Medstar Washington Wizards Training Facility as Hampton takes on Howard on December 22. A Dec. 29 matchup at Saint Peter's (NJ) will close out the non-conference slate.

The 2018-19 Big South Men's Basketball Conference slate will be announced in the upcoming weeks.

For more information on Hampton University men's basketball, please contact the Office of Sports Information at 757-727-5757 or visit the official Pirates website at www.hamptonpirates.com

Miles Golden Bears football continues work towards season opener

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The Miles football team is working earnestly as it begins its first full week of work in preparation for the 2018 campaign. Practice begins before the moon is firmly tucked away in the west and the sun has barely began its ascent in the east.

But there are no sleepy eyes as the team goes through drills as it prepares for its Sept. 1 opener at Alabama A&M. To get an inside look at some of the machinations of Golden Bears football practice, and to hear from head coach Reginald Ruffin,




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UAPB starting QB remains a mystery

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas -- Coach Cedric Thomas has confirmed the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff's two-deep roster, but the Golden Lions coach will not name a starting quarterback until early next week.

Junior transfer Shannon Patrick, 6-2, 205 pounds, and freshman Skyler Perry, 6-3, 197, have emerged as the team's top two quarterbacks to start the Golden Lions' season-opener against Morehouse College on Sept. 1. UAPB will have one more scrimmage before the final decision is made.

"We got another Saturday scrimmage, and we'll name a starter Monday," Thomas said. "We're excited. They are a couple of young guys who have performed well. We're going to find a leader."



Patrick led Northland (Minn.) Community College to a 9-3 record and a Minnesota College Athletic Conference title in 2017. Perry led Edna Karr High School of New Orleans to a 14-1 record and a Louisiana state championship in Class 4A last fall.

Thomas said he was pleased with last weekend's scrimmage in which the Golden Lions got in 117 snaps.

"I thought we executed on a high level," Thomas said. "It made us one step closer to Sept. 1."

There were a couple of performances that stood out in Saturday's scrimmage to Thomas. Taeyler Porter, a 5-10 running back who played at Asa Miami (Fla.) Junior College last season, broke off a big gain. Josh Wilkes, a 6-3 junior wide receiver who played for Butler Community College in Kansas last year, made a "big-time grab."

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Tuskegee Slater Addresses Media at Labor Day Press Conference

MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- Tuskegee head football coach Willie Slater addressed the media Wednesday morning at the official Labor Day Classic press conference in Montgomery from ASU Stadium. Ten days from now, the Golden Tigers will clash with rival Alabama State at 5 p.m.

Last year, a sellout crowd of 25,442 witnessed the Golden Tigers improved to 2-0 over the Hornets in ASU stadium since it opened in 2012. The two schools have met in the Turkey Day Classic in all but a handful of years from 1924-2012, before the Golden Tigers withdrew from the series in order to be eligible for the NCAA Division II playoffs. In 2017, they met for the first time in four years resulting in a 14-6 victory in favor of TU

Tuskegee leads the all-time series with Alabama State 62-34-4 and will kickoff with the Hornets Saturday, Sept. 1.

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UAPB Golden Lions Celebrate New School Year with Football Open House, Baseball Groundbreaking

PINE BLUFF, Arkansas --`The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Department of Athletics will host an open house and ribbon-cutting for Simmons Bank Field, the newly renovated home of the Golden Lions, and a groundbreaking ceremony for Simmons Bank Pavilion at the Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex.
 
UAPB and UA System leadership, Simmons Bank executives, members of the Golden Lions football team, the Marching Musical Machine of the Mid-South, Golden Girls dance team, and cheer squads will welcome the UAPB and greater Pine Bluff communities into the stadium and officially cut the ribbon, with assistance of the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce. This event is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to take photos on the field afterward.
 
The Department of Athletics will also break ground on a press box and concession stand pavilion at the Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex. Gov. Asa Hutchinson and famed professional baseball player Torii Hunter will both give remarks.


Who:

• Asa Hutchinson, Governor, State of Arkansas
• Dr. Donald R. Bobbitt, UA System president
• UA System Board of Trustees
• Dr. Laurence B. Alexander, UAPB chancellor
• George A. Makris, Jr.,  Simmons First National Corp. chairman and CEO
• Torii Hunter, MLB All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner
• Bill Jones, Sissy's Log Cabin president
• Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Cedric Thomas, UAPB head football coach
• Carlos James, UAPB head baseball coach

When and Where: 

Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018

• Public Open House
  • 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

Simmons Bank Field
Pine Bluff
Parking available and entry at Gate One                     

Friday, Aug. 31, 2018

• Baseball Groundbreaking
  • 11:00 a.m.

Torii Hunter Baseball and Softball Complex
Pine Bluff

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PVAMU Volleyball Kicks off 2018 Campaign at HBU Tournament

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas – The Prairie View A&M University volleyball team opens the 2018 season this weekend with three matches at the Houston Baptist Tournament.

The Lady Panthers take on host team Houston Baptist Friday, at 12:30, then square off against UT Rio Grande Valley also on Friday for a 3:30 p.m. match up. They will finish the weekend against Louisiana Tech on Saturday at noon.

"I am so excited about starting the season," said head PVAMU volleyball coach TaCho Tyler. "We had a scrimmage on Monday and it was really good to see the girls play against someone else other than themselves. I can honestly say that in the majority of the scrimmage they were able to apply everything that we have been going over in camp and applied it into game like situations."

Houston Baptist recorded a 21-10 record in 2017 and finished tied for third in the Southland Conference with a 11-5 record. UTRGV finished last season with a 17-12 overall record and a second place finish in the Western Athletic Conference, while Louisiana Tech out of Conference-USA finished 2017 with a 7-21 mark.

"I am really excited to play against competition like Houston Baptist, UTRGV and La. Tech, which are good competitors that will get us ready for SWAC (Southwestern Athletic Conference)," Tyler said. "I'm real excited to see everything unfold and it's going to be a really exciting season."

PVAMU will look to rebound off a successful 2017 season that saw them finish with an 8-19 record, including a 7-11 mark and a seventh place finish in the SWAC. The team did however, make it to the semifinals,?falling to cross town rivals Texas Southern 3-1.

The task of climbing up the ranks of the SWAC will be a challenge as many teams will be in the running for the top spot in the conference. This season's preseason poll has placed the Lady Panthers fifth in the rankings. Despite the ranking, Tyler is confident the team will compete in every match.

"Our defense has been what it has always been," Tyler said. "Our setters are looking a lot better and we have a whole lot of hitters in the fold and I am really excited to see them hitting a lot of balls. We're hoping for some early success to build on."

With just two seniors on this year's squad, Tyler will look to them to provide some solid leadership for 14 newcomers. The group will be led by SWAC Preseason Defensive Player of the Year and All-SWAC First Teamer Christen Augustine.

"I feel that Christy who is a senior will definitely be the leader on the floor," Tyler said. "I call her the silent killer, because you know her presence on the floor even though she doesn't need to say very much. However, she takes such command in the back row, that everyone around her just wants to play better. The way she goes 100 percent makes the rest of the team do the same. I am excited to see us dig a lot of balls as well."

Junior college transfers Jaylan Thomas will play a vocal roll on the floor along with CeTara Carter, who gets the team super hyped when she's on the floor. Kaelyn Yeoman will be the player on the side line who has been the voice for the team.

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The return of St. Ge at Kentucky State University

FRANKFORT, Kentucky -- Kentucky State’s football team got some good news with quarterback Jules St. Ge’s return.

Now the Thorobreds are looking for more players to join their squad.

St. Ge was the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s Freshman of the Year two years ago when KSU played in the SIAC championship game.

After sitting out last season, St. Ge is back, along with Paul Campbell and Michael Simpson, who played quarterback last year.



That leaves KSU in good shape at the quarterback position.

“Other than that, we’re very, very thin,” KSU head coach John L. Smith said. “We have to stay healthy. We have about half the kids we had a year ago.

“We didn’t sign a single kid. Our funds were frozen. We have to stay healthy, so we’re adapting at camp.”

Smith and his staff are on the lookout for walk-ons to bolster the roster.

“We’d like to have between 90 and 100 kids so we don’t have to go against each other, that we can have a scout team.”

The Thorobreds have 73 players out now, and Smith expects more once school starts. One returning player is redshirt junior defensive lineman Chris Roberts, a graduate of Franklin County.

A&T Volleyball Looks Forward to 2018 After Encouraging 2017

Aggies Open 2018 Season in Georgia

North Carolina A&T (0-0) vs. Alabama A&M (0-0); Alabama St. (0-0); Jackson St. (0-0)

Date(s):Friday-Saturday, Aug. 24-25, 2018

Time(s):11 a.m.; 4 p.m.; 11 a.m.

Facility: LakePoint Champions Center (Cartersville, Ga.)

AGGIES OVERVIEW: The 2018 N.C. A&T women’s volleyball season gets underway this weekend as the Aggies head south for the ISTAP College Cup Tournament. N.C. A&T will face three teams from the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), taking on Alabama A&M and Alabama State on Friday before facing Jackson State on Saturday.

Sophomore Edie Brewer was named preseason All-MEAC. Brewer is one of six returners on this year’s N.C. A&T squad. She is coming off a season in which she led the team with 6.0 assists and 2.15 digs per game while compiling 45 service aces ranking No. 17 in the nation in aces per set and No. 35 in total service aces. Brewer recorded 27 double-figure assist matches with nine 25-plus assist performances. She also tallied six double-figure dig matches to go along with six double-doubles in her freshman season.

N.C. A&T was picked to finish third in the preseason conference Southern Division poll with 103 points receiving four first-place votes. Those four first-place votes show a lot of confidence in the Aggies six-player N.C. A&T recruiting class consists of transfer middle blocker MakaylahElliot out of UNC Pembroke. Freshmen Lily Walton and Shaylynn Hall will join Elliot as new middle blockers to the team.

Junior defensive specialist Tiara Wilkins and freshman DS Andrea Laboy-Rivera along with freshman right-side hitter Mackenzie Richards will also look to play a significant role. But N.C. A&T’s veterans will play a major role in the Aggies quest to capture the divisional and tournament titles. Outside hitters Christa Wilson (Jr.) and Courteney Pitt (So.) are returning starters. Fatima Shabazz sat out last season but will play middle blocker this season. Senior setter Megan Wiggins, junior outside hitter Leila Haynesworth and sophomore defensive specialists KaiyahHaley and Milanna Morgan round out the returners.

ALABAMA A&M BULLDOGS: Alabama A&M returns nine letterwinners that went 14-20 and finished second in the SWAC with a 14-4 mark. The Bulldogs fell in the quarterfinal round of the conference tournament losing in straight sets to Prairie View. AAMU averaged 12.5 kills, 1.4 aces, 13.9 digs and 2.1 blocks per set a year ago posting a .223 hitting percentage. Terra Brooks led the team in attacks last season averaging 2.58 kps ranking eighth in the conference. She was also ranked seventh in the league with 30 service aces. Meredith Sieck led the SWAC averaging 8.04 assists per set and ranked fifth in the conference with 32 service aces. The Bulldogs are 5-1 all-time against the Aggies, but N.C. A&T won for the first time against Alabama A&M last August winning in straight sets.

ALABAMA STATE HORNETS: Alabama State returns nine letterwinners from last year’s team that won the SWAC regular season posting a perfect 18-0 mark in conference play with a 28-11 overall record. The Hornets captured their fourth SWAC tournament title in five years defeating Texas Southern in four sets. ASU averaged 12.5 kills, 1.4 aces, 13.9 digs and 2.1 blocks per set a year ago posting a .223 hitting percentage. Bayle’ Bennett averaged 2.35 kills and 2.20 digs as the top returner. Krysta Medearis is the second leading returner with 1.99 kps and Payten Clark is third at 1.60 kps. Clark is the top block returner with 118 and Candace Martin had 94 total blocks. The Aggies are 1-4 all-time against the Hornets losing three consecutive matches with their only victory against ASU on Sept. 6, 2013 winning in five sets.

JACKSON STATE TIGERS: Jackson State returns 11 from last season’s squad which went 8-26 and finished eighth in the SWAC with a 7-11 mark. The Tigers were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the SWAC Tournament losing to Alabama St. in four sets. JSU averaged 10.0 kills, 1.1 aces, 12.9 digs and 1.5 blocks per set a year ago, posting a .118 hitting percentage. JSU returns their leaders in kills (Alexandra Burney – 2.28 kps), digs (Tyler Moorer - 3.19 dps), assists (Sapphire Simpson – 4.66 aps), service aces (Sapphire Simpson – 26) and blocks (Dayjah Stewart – 80). The Aggies are 2-0 against the Tigers. The teams last met on Aug. 27, 2016with A&T winning in straight sets.

NEWS AND NOTES:

• Junior Christa Wilson is 27 kills away from 200 for her career and senior Megan Wiggins is six digs away from 100 for her career
• The Aggies posted their most regular season wins in 2017 under eighth-year head coach Hal Clifton enjoying one of their best seasons in recent years going 14-14 (6-4 MEAC)
• N.C. A&T finished the year ranked seventh in the nation in aces per set, 25thin opponent hitting percentage and 37thin team service aces. In all three categories, they ranked second amongst the MEAC.\

NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION