SSC Weekly Awards Presented by Jimmy John's: January 30 - February 6
Weekly Honors in Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Lacrosse, and Tennis
SSC Athletes of the Week | January 30 - February 6, 2022
Sunshine State Conference Athletes of the Week are chosen from a pool of nominees for their performances during the week of January 30 - February 6, 2022. Athletic Communication Directors of member institutions nominate athletes.
Men's Basketball Player of the Week
Sekou Sylla / Nova Southeastern University / Jr. / G-F / Brooklyn, New York
Following his efforts across two SSC wins last week, Sylla grabs Player of the Week honors for the third time this season. The guard/forward from Brooklyn scored a game-high 31 points and pulled in a game-high 14 rebounds as the Sharks defeated No. 22 Barry, 97-87, in Fort Lauderdale. The junior then scored 18 points and hauled in a game-high 12 rebounds as NSU posted a 115-58 win at Florida Tech. Sylla tallied 49 points by shooting 63% from the field (17-27) and 83% from the free-throw line (15-18). He averaged 24.5 points, 13.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals per game while playing a total of 53 minutes.
Men's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week
RJ Sunahara / Nova Southeastern University / So. / Forward / Bay Village, Ohio
Sunahara takes Defensive Player of the Week honors for his play in a pair of NSU victories last week. The sophomore from Bay Village, Ohio, tallied six blocks, two steals, and seven defensive rebounds as the Sharks defeated No. 22 Barry, 97-87, in Fort Lauderdale. Sunahara followed with three blocks, two steals, and two defensive rebounds in a 115-58 win at Florida Tech. Offensively, the forward scored 43 points, distributed nine assists, and tallied seven offensive rebounds. The weekly award is the third of his career.
Women's Basketball Player of the Week
Melijah Sullivan / University of Tampa / Forward / Jr. / Bartow, Florida
Sullivan earns Player of the Week accolades for her performance in two SSC wins last week. The Bartow, Florida product tallied 19 points and seven rebounds as Tampa defeated No. 12 Eckerd, 67-56, in St. Petersburg. The junior scored 11 points as Tampa bested Embry-Riddle 63-41 at home. Sullivan tallied 30 points by shooting 58% from the field (11-19) and 73% from the free-throw line (8-11). She averaged 15.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game while playing a total of 58 minutes. The weekly award is the fourth of her career.
Women's Basketball Defensive Player of the Week
Aliyah Abney / University of Tampa / Sr. / Guard / Rochester, New York
Abney nets weekly awards as the top defensive player for the Spartans in two wins last week. The guard from Rochester, New York, tallied nine defensive rebounds and a pair of steals as Tampa defeated No. 12 Eckerd, 67-56, in St. Petersburg. She followed with seven defensive rebounds and three steals as Tampa bested Embry-Riddle 63-41 at home. Offensively, Abney scored 33 points, dished five assists, and pulled in four offensive boards across the two games.
Baseball Player of the Week
Duncan Pastore / Nova Southeastern University / So. / Infielder / Tampa, Florida
Pastore captures Player of the Week after slashing .800/.867/1.700 in NSU's opening weekend. The sophomore from Tampa went 8-for-10 at the plate, with five extra-base hits, eight runs scored, nine runs batted in, three walks, and two hit by pitch. The infielder swiped a pair of bases on his way to 17 total in NSU's three-game set. Pastore's top game of the week saw him go 4-for-4 at the plate against No. 20 Catawba, with a home run, two doubles, three runs scored, and five runs batted in. With the play of Pastore, the Sharks defeated Catawba, Washburn, and Wheeling to start 3-0.
Baseball Pitcher of the Week
Nathan Madej / Florida Southern College / Sr. / Lemont, Illinois
Madej's outing against No. 10 West Florida garners him Week #1 Pitcher of the Week honors. The lefty went 6.0 innings with no runs allowed, one hit, and three walks to get the win. The Lemont, Illinois native, struck out six batters as the Moccasins secured the 6-1 road victory.
Softball Player of the Week
Courtney Chisholm / Barry University / Jr. / Outfield / Apopka, Florida
Chisholm takes Player of the Week following her efforts in Barry's opening weekend. The Apopka, Florida, native went 9-for-13 at the plate, with three runs scored and two runs batted in. The junior also swiped a pair of bases on her way to nine total bases in Barry's four-game set. Chisholm led Barry to a win over No. 17 West Florida with a 2-for-3 performance at the plate. She also drove in the walk-off game-winner against the defending national champs, No. 4 West Texas A&M.
Softball Pitcher of the Week
Maci Barnhart / Barry University / So. / Sebring, Florida
Barnhart posted two Top-25 wins on her way to Pitcher of the Week honors. The sophomore from Sebring, Florida, tossed a complete game against No. 17 West Florida, allowing four hits and one run (earned). She struck out two as Barry won 5-1 in Pensacola. Against No. 4 West Texas A&M, Barnhart tossed another complete game, allowing six hits and three runs (two earned). She struck out four as the Buccaneers won 4-3 in Gulf Shores, Alabama. Barnhart also tossed 4.0 innings in a losing effort to No. 23 Alabama-Huntsville, allowing six hits and four runs (all earned).
Men's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Jeff Atlas / Florida Southern College / Jr. / Attack / Islip, New York
Atlas led the Florida Southern to wins over Anderson (23-12) and Catawba (21-5), garnering Offensive Player of the Week in the process. The Islip, New York native, opened the week with three goals and three assists against Anderson. He totaled six shots to earn and picked up a ground ball and caused one turnover. Atlas then had three goals and four assists in the victory at Catawba. He took eight shots in the win. The weekly award is the second of his career.
Men's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Blake Ulmer / University of Tampa / Jr. / Goal / Naples, Florida
Ulmer records the fifth Defensive Player of the Week honor of his career following his performance at No. 17 Lynn. The junior from Naples, Florida, tallied 14 saves and allowed three goals in the 15-3 Spartan victory. Ulmer tallied a .824 save percentage while facing 17 shots on goal and 25 total shots.
Men's Lacrosse Specialist of the Week
Kevin Horwitz / Florida Southern College / Sr. / FOS / Parkland, Florida
Horwitz is awarded Specialist of the Week for his performance in the X during FSC's wins over Anderson (23-12) and Catawba (21-5). Horwitz won 40 of 48 face-offs for an 83.3 percentage and led his team with 25 ground balls. He also chipped in four goals and an assist for a total of five points on the weekend. Horwitz tied the FSC program record of 15 ground balls in the victory over Anderson. With 40 face-off wins this past weekend, he moved into first in Florida Southern program history with 602 for his career. The weekly award is the second of his career..
Women's Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week
Danielle Farinas / Lynn University / Jr. / Attack / Parkland, Florida
Farinas was the offensive leader for Lynn during a 22-5 victory over Young Harris. The junior from Parkland, Florida, scored five goals and tallied three assists in the win. Farinas finished with a shooting percentage of 71.4% and a shot on goal percentage of 85.7%. She also provided her team with 13 draw controls and three ground balls.
Women's Lacrosse Defensive Player of the Week
Courtney Rausch / Palm Beach Atlantic University / Fr. / Goal / Ponte Vedra, Florida
Rausch receives Defensive Player of the Week honors following her performance against Young Harris. The freshman from Ponte Verde, Florida, tallied 11 saves and allowed eight goals in the 13-8 Sailfish victory. Rausch tallied a .579 save percentage while 19 shots on goal and 24 total shots. She also provided her team with five ground balls in the win.
Men's Tennis Athlete of the Week
Alessandro Giuliato / Barry University / Jr. / South Maurizio, Italy
Giuliato takes Athlete of the Week honors following his play at #1 Singles and #2 Doubles against Florida Southern. Paired with Ignasi Forcano, Giuliato posted a 6-3 win over FSC's #2 tandem. At #1 singles, the Italian downed FSC's top athlete 6-0, 6-0. The weekly award is the fourth of his career.
Women's Tennis Athlete of the Week
Helene Scholsen / Barry University / Jr. / Wolkrange, Belgium
Scholsen is named Athlete of the Week following her efforts against St. Thomas and No. 4 Flagler. The Wolkrange, Belgium product, along with partner Jil Englemann, won 6-2 against STU and 6-3 against Flagler, both in the #1 slot. In singles, Scholsen took down STU’s #1, 6-0, 6-2, then went, 6-1, 6-1, against Flager’s #4 athlete.
Week-by-Week Winners
2021-22 SSC Men's Basketball Award Winners (Offense; Defense)
Nov. 8: Elijah Jenkins (ERAU); Romeo Crouch (ERAU)
Nov. 15: Michael Schaefer (Barry); Frank Webb (Saint Leo)
Nov. 22: Kyle Marion (Rollins); Mekhii Noble (Florida Tech)
Nov. 29: Max Jones (Tampa); Mekhii Noble (Florida Tech)
Dec. 6: Sean Houpt (Florida Tech); Romeo Crouch (ERAU)
Dec. 13: Sekou Sylla (NSU); Nick Smith (NSU)
Dec. 21: RJ Sunahara (NSU); Frank Webb (Saint Leo)
Jan. 3: Sekou Sylla (NSU); Luke Haasl (Saint Leo)
Jan. 10: Romeo Crouch (ERAU); Derrick Felder (Tampa)
Jan. 17: Max Jones (Tampa); Nick Smith (NSU)
Jan. 24: GianFranco Grafals (Eckerd); Frank Webb (Saint Leo)
Jan. 31: Eddie Puisis (NSU); Brooks Cluxton (Rollins)
Feb. 7: Sekou Sylla (NSU); RJ Sunahara (NSU)
2021-22 SSC Women's Basketball Award Winners (Offense; Defense)
Nov. 8: Melijah Sullivan (Tampa); Grace Gilmore (NSU)
Nov. 15: Aliyah Abney (Tampa); Yoke Tassent (Rollins)
Nov. 22: Ayanna Trigg (Saint Leo); Lauryn Vieira (Eckerd)
Nov. 29: Dori Nagy (Tampa); Maya Price (Eckerd)
Dec. 6: Whitney Jacob (FSC); Sofia Persson (Eckerd)
Dec. 13: Amanda Ulrich (Saint Leo); Dani Lozzi (Lynn)
Dec. 21: KiKi McIntyre (Saint Leo); Kash Ayuso (PBA)
Jan. 3: Sofia Persson (Eckerd); Emma Hergot (Barry)
Jan. 10: Madeline Hardy (NSU); Uloma Enyogasi (Lynn)
Jan. 17: KiKi McIntyre (Saint Leo); Ayanna Trigg (Saint Leo)
Jan. 24: McKenah Peters (NSU); Whitney Jacob (FSC)
Jan. 31: Maya Price (Eckerd); Whitney Jacob (FSC)
Feb. 7: Melijah Sullivan (Tampa); Aliyah Abney (Tampa)
2022 SSC Baseball Award Winners (Player; Pitcher)
Feb. 7: Duncan Pastore (NSU), Nathan Madej (FSC)
2022 SSC Softball Award Winners (Player; Pitcher)
Feb. 7: Courtney Chisholm (Barry); Maci Barnhart (Barry)
2022 SSC Men's Lacrosse Award Winners (Offense; Defense, Special)
Feb. 7: Jeff Atlas (FSC); Blake Ulmer (Tampa); Kevin Horwitz (FSC)
2022 SSC Women's Lacrosse Award Winners (Offense; Defense)
Feb. 7: Danielle Farinas (Lynn); Courtney Rausch (PBA)
2021-22 SSC Golf Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Sept. 20: None; Nathalie Svensson (FSC)
Sept. 27: AJ Ewart (Barry); Sara Ericsson (Lynn)
Oct. 4: Colin Kresl (Saint Leo), Sophia Dieter (ERAU)
Oct. 11: AJ Ewart (Barry); Alice Gotbring (Barry)
Oct. 18: None; Cajsa Strandberg (Saint Leo)
Oct. 25: Alberto Castagnara (Saint Leo); Alice Gatti (Lynn)
Nov. 1: Javier Calles (NSU); Sara Ericsson (Lynn)
Nov. 8: Javier Calles (NSU); None
2022 SSC Tennis Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Feb. 7: Alessandro Guiliato (Barry); Helene Scholsen (Barry)
Week-by-Week Winners: In Active Sports
2021 SSC Volleyball Award Winners (Offensive; Defensive; Setter)
Sept. 6: Ranya Mehta (Eckerd); Lauren Odom (Lynn); Madison Cook (NSU)
Sept. 13: Jaden McBride (ERAU); Beatrice Formilan (FSC); Bianca Pasca (Barry)
Sept. 20: Elizabeth Price (NSU); Tierra Porter (FSC); Cassidy Markel (FSC)
Sept. 27: Cameron Gilleland (ERAU); Beatrice Formilan (FSC); Madison Cook (NSU)
Oct. 4: Jazz Schmidt (PBA); Sonja Udovcic (Lynn); Krysten Garrison (Eckerd)
Oct. 11: Mackenzie Petermann (FSC); Ruth Zijlstra (Lynn); Madison Cook (NSU)
Oct. 18: Nadia Lindner (Lynn); Claudia Rivera (Tampa); Emily Weaver (ERAU)
Oct. 25: Djuly Schmorantz (Barry); Claudia Rivera (Tampa); Bianca Pasca (Barry)
Nov. 1: Cameron Gilleland (ERAU); Claudia Rivera (Tampa); Cassidy Markel (FSC)
Nov. 8: Jazz Schmidt (PBA); Sam Lanning (ERAU); Krysten Garrison (Eckerd)
Nov. 15: Taylor Fosler (Tampa); Claudia Rivera (Tampa); Madison Cook (NSU)
Nov. 22: Mackenzie Petermann (FSC); Claudia Rivera (Tampa); Cassidy Markel (FSC)
2021 SSC Cross Country Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Sept. 6: Mason Jones (FSC); Zoe Jarvis (Tampa)
Sept. 13: Shane Bracken (Saint Leo); Zoe Jarvis (Tampa)
Sept. 20: Mason Jones (FSC); Zoe Jarvis (Tampa)
Sept. 27: Paul Kraemer (ERAU); Ukeyvia Beckwith (ERAU)
Oct. 4: Shane Bracken (Saint Leo); Faye Dervan (Saint Leo)
Oct. 11: Shane Bracken (Saint Leo); Faye Dervan (Saint Leo)
2021 SSC Men's Soccer Award Winners (Offensive; Defensive)
Sept. 6: Omar Thali (Tampa); Alberto Ciroi (NSU)
Sept. 13: Georgios Koliniatis (Rollins), Adam Forster (Tampa)
Sept. 20: Micahel Lawrence (NSU); Nathan Hubbs (ERAU)
Sept. 27: Miguel Fernandez (Saint Leo); Ali Koller (Lynn)
Oct. 4: Quenzi Huerman (PBA); Guillermo Falo (PBA)
Oct. 11: Fred Derreira (PBA); Patrick Nettekoven (Lynn)
Oct. 18: Omar Thali (Tampa); Guillermo Falo (PBA)
Oct. 25: James Meehan (FSC); Adam Forster (Tampa)
Nov. 1: Juan Caffaro (Barry); Nils Buecheler (Barry)
Nov. 8: Tino Miguez (NSU); Alberto Ciroi (NSU)
2021 SSC Women's Soccer Award Winners (Offensive; Defensive)
Sept. 6: Mariana Mazzocca (Florida Tech); Maria Sanchez Recuero (Florida Tech)
Sept. 13: Anniina Sankoh (Lynn); Maitane Bravo (Saint Leo)
Sept. 20: Kaia Senecal (Eckerd); Lovisa Camel (Tampa)
Sept. 27: Sofia Munthe Nilsson (ERAU); Reni Taiwo (Tampa)
Oct. 4: Louise Matsgard (NSU); Shannon Hearty (NSU)
Oct. 11: Grace Foyer (ERAU); Sopia Olore (Rollins)
Oct. 18: Louise Matsgard (NSU); Rachel Neumann (PBA)
Oct. 25: Katherine Hostage (Tampa); Maria Sanchez Recuero (Florida Tech)
Nov. 1: Anniina Sankoh (Lynn); Paige Lewkutz (Florida Tech)
Nov. 8: Chama Silva (NSU); Madison Chiola (PBA)
2021-22 SSC Swimming Award Winners (Men's; Women's)
Oct. 18: Noah Paut (Tampa); Jazzy Hoffman (FSC)
Oct. 25: Ludovico Viberti (FSC); Savanna Best (NSU)
Nov. 1: Carlos Nava (Saint Leo); Ewa Osiniak (Lynn)
Nov. 8: Szymon Leszega (Saint Leo); Olivia Miles (FSC)
Nov. 15: Luca Alessandrini (NSU); Celina Marquez (NSU)
Nov. 22: Kyle Micallef (FSC); Beatriz Olivieri (Rollins)
Dec. 21: Josh Fountain (Lynn); Savanna Best (NSU)
Jan. 10: Luca Alessandrini (NSU); Celina Marquez (NSU)
Jan. 17: Joe Bozzi (Tampa); Ewa Osiniak (Lynn)
Jan. 24: Luca Alessandrini (NSU); Celina Marquez (NSU)
Jan. 31: Joe Bozzi (Tampa); Holly Wessel (Tampa)
LINK: SSC Player of the Week Database