FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 11-19-01

This Week In Armstrong Atlantic State Athletics

Monday, November 19
• Golf at Flagler College Intercollegiate (St. Augustine, Fla.)

Tuesday, November 20
No Events Scheduled

Wednesday, November 21
• Women's Basketball at Fort Valley State, 5:00 p.m.

Thursday, November 22
No Events Scheduled - Happy Thanksgiving !

Friday, November 16
No Events Scheduled

Saturday, November 17
• Men's Basketball at Wingate, 2:00 p.m.
• Women's Basketball at Nicholls State, 5:00 p.m.

Sunday, November 18
No Events Scheduled

Volleyball (29-10 Overall, 11-3 Peach Belt, 4th South Region)

The Armstrong Atlantic State volleyball team advanced to the NCAA Division II Volleyball Championships South Region semifinal, defeating USC Spartanburg, 3-0, in the first round, but falling to the top-seeded Tampa Spartans, 3-0, in the semifinal match.

The Pirates eliminated the Rifles from postseason play for the second straight season, defeating USCS 30-28, 33-31, 30-27, behind 15 kills from junior Sofie Hakansson, 14 kills from junior Sarah Haynes and 44 assists from junior Erin Melius.

AASU saw its season come to an end in the semifinals, however, against the No. 7-ranked Spartans, 30-10, 30-25, 30-23. Hakansson led the Pirates with seven kills and recorded new AASU season-highs in service aces (83) and digs (428).

The Pirates finish the season with a 29-10 record and lose no players to graduation.

Men's Basketball

The Armstrong Atlantic State men's basketball team dropped its season-opening game on Saturday evening, losing to host Presbyterian College, 66-57.

The Pirates were led by Mick Jordan who tallied 15 points and three steals, while junior guard Dave Pisarcik and senior center Bart Westgeest each added 11 points. Rounding out the double figure scorers for AASU was senior forward Williard Winn who added 10 points, five rebounds, and three blocks.

AASU hits the road for a Saturday, November 24 matchup at Wingate, the team that knocked the Pirates out of the 2001 NCAA South Atlantic Regional last season, at 2:00 p.m.

Women's Basketball

The Lady Pirates open the season by hosting the 2001 AASU/Chatham Orthopaedics TipOff Classic this weekend and dropped both games to strong opponents.

AASU lost its season-opening game to 2001 NCAA Tournament participant Fayetteville State, 91-76, on Friday evening as the Lady Broncos forced 38 Lady Pirate turnovers and got a stellar performance from Danielle Evans, who pumped in 34 points. The Lady Pirates were led offensively by junior Becky Tompkins' 16 points and junior Zandrique Cason's 15 points.

In the consolation final, the Lady Pirates lost to Ferris State, 76-65, in a sibling rivalry - the head coach of Ferris State, Tracy Fisk, is the sister of AASU assistant coach Andy Bloodworth. Junior Shanetra Hodge, an All-Tournament pick, led the Lady Pirates on the day with 12 points, eight rebounds and four assists.

AASU embarks on a two-game, five-day road trip over Thanksgiving, playing at Fort Valley State on Wednesday, November 21 at 5:00 p.m., then taking on Division I Nicholls State in Thibodaux, La., on Saturday, November 24, at 5:00 p.m.

Men's Golf

The Armstrong Atlantic State men's golf team leads the Flagler Intercollegiate after Sunday's first round of play in the Pirates' final tournament of the fall season.

The Pirates lead host Flagler by nine strokes and pace the 13-team field with their 19-over-par 307 total. Freshman Jonathan Cox paced AASU with a two-over-par 74 total and is tied for the individual lead after one round. Sophomore Thomas Whittaker fired a three-over-par 75 and is tied for third individually. Rounding out the Pirates' first-round scores were sophomore Clay Best and freshman Ashley Loyd with seven-over-par 79 totals and freshman Lee Clarke, who shot an 11-over-par 83.

The Flagler Intercollegiate tournament concludes with a final round of 18 holes on Monday.

- Pirates -