SALISBURY, Md. – Eight Salisbury University student-athletes garnered Jersey Mike's A Sub Above Players of the Week honors via weekly awards from the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference (C2C), State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC), and New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC).
Volleyball's
Gwen Eustace and
Elizabeth Villegas swept C2C Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week; cross country's
Anna Bodmer secured another C2C Runner of the Week nod; third-ranked field hockey's
Marli McDorman powered her way to SUNYAC Offensive Athlete of the Week; fourth-ranked football's
Dario Belizaire gave SU a second straight NJAC Offensive Player of the Week; and swimming produced a trio of NJAC weekly laureates in
Mason Potts,
Cameron Byrd, and
Rowan Odonoghue.
Gwen Eustace | C2C Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week | Sixth Career (Third This Season)
Eustace (Sr. – Olney, Md.) powered down 29 kills (2.64 K/S) at a .383 clip to help the Sea Gulls win a trio of matches over league opponents in Newport News, Va. The highlight of the weekend came in a Saturday showdown against Christopher Newport during which she hammered 17 kills at a .429 swing rate, surpassing 1,000 kills for her career and notching the match-clincher to put SU's five-set victory on ice. Eustace remains the Division III national leader in hitting percentage (.479) and ranks eighth in points (381).
Elizabeth Villegas | C2C Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week | First Career
Villegas (Jr. – Charlestown, W.V.) chased down 50 digs (4.55 D/S) as part of the Sea Gulls' 3-0 week with two wins against UC Santa Cruz and one against CNU. In the five-setter over CNU, she set a new career high with 27 digs, notching 5.40 per set. She also posted a .960 reception percentage, successfully receiving 25 serves – including 17 against CNU – against just one error.
Anna Bodmer | C2C Women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week | Third Career (Second This Season)
Bodmer (Jr. – Dickerson, Md.) led the way for the Sea Gulls at the 31-team Rowan Border Battle, placing 13th out of 300 competitors with a time of 21:56.8. Bodmer has broken 22 minutes in a 6K race three times out of four this season, including a personal-best 21:39.9 to win the Don Cathcart Invitational at home on Sept. 27.
Marli McDorman | SUNYAC Field Hockey Offensive Athlete of the Week | Sixth Career (Second This Season)
McDorman (Jr. – Pocomoke City, Md.) lit up the scoreboard to the tune of 10 points over three games, scoring four goals on eight shots and dishing out two assists to help the Sea Gulls knock off Mary Washington, Oneonta, and Morrisville by a combined margin of 16-0. Her most fruitful effort came on Saturday at Oneonta when she found the back of the cage twice and distributed one assists. McDorman has netted a career-high 14 goals in 14 games so far this season.
Dario Belizaire | NJAC Football Offensive Player of the Week | Second Career (First This Season)
Slot back Belizaire (Jr. – Cambridge, Md.) clocked in with 186 yards of total offense and one touchdown as the Sea Gulls romped Montclair State 56-21 on Saturday. Belizaire rushed for a season-high 101 yards on just seven carries (14.4 YPC); he also caught two passes for 85 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter.
Mason Potts | NJAC Men's Swimmer of the Week | First Career
Potts (So. – Landsdale, Pa.) secures his first general NJAC award after taking home Rookie of the Week six times last season. He won four gold medals on Saturday, including solo dubs in the 100 free (53.06) and 100 back (57.20), plus two more in the 200 medley relay (1:43.80) and 200 free relay (1:34.53, Maggs Pool record). Potts' dominance helped SU best Marymount (Va.) 241-96 on Saturday.
Cameron Byrd | NJAC Men's Swimming Rookie of the Week | First Career
Byrd (Fr. – Bear, Del.) impressed in his first collegiate action with three gold medals and one silver to help SU defeat Marymount. Byrd started the day with a strong performance within Salisbury's victorious 200 medley relay team (1:43.80). He later won individual titles in the 400 free (4:18.51) and 200 fly (2:08.39) while placing runner-up in the 200 IM (2:11.38).
Rowan Odonoghue | NJAC Women's Swimming Rookie of the Week | First Career
Odonoghue (Fr. – Newark, Del.) captured four medals to help the Sea Gulls topple Marymount 246-81 on Saturday. Individually, she took gold in the 400 free (4:37.32) and silvers in the 50 free (28.22) and 800 free (9:45.90). Odonoghue also swam anchor for the 200 medley relay, which touched the wall first in 2:03.50.
Salisbury University is a proud member of NCAA Division III with primary membership in the Coast-to-Coast Athletic Conference, along with affiliate membership in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (football, men's & women's swimming), Coastal Lacrosse Conference (men's lacrosse), State University of New York Athletic Conference (field hockey), and Colonial Women's Golf Conference (women's golf). With over 500 student-athletes in 23 varsity sports, SU is recognized as one of the nation's most competitive intercollegiate athletics programs regardless of division, featuring dedicated coaches and staff that foster excellence on and off the field. The Sea Gulls have won a combined 23 team national championships, 24 individual national championships, and 205 conference championships, and have produced 53 Academic All-Americans.
To Make Tomorrow Yours at Salisbury University, and learn more about Sea Gull Athletics' tradition of excellence, visit SUSeaGulls.com or follow on social media @SUSeaGulls.
