LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. – Announced by the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference offices Monday, December 3, three Centenary student-athletes were named to the Fall All-Sportsmanship Teams for 2018-19.
According to the conference, "The SCAC places a special emphasis on sportsmanship each year and is asking all fans of the conference to exhibit good sportsmanship at all conference functions throughout the 2018-19 season." Senior Shannon Orlopp represents Ladies Volleyball, sophomore Matthew Young represents Gents Soccer, and freshman Veronica Dougherty represents Ladies Soccer.
For Ladies volleyball, Orlopp played in 27 matches this season, recording 1.02 kills per set and 0.38 blocks per set. In a win against Central Baptist September 8, she finished with five kills and five blocks.
"Shannon always supports her teammates and consistently pushes every team member to be the best. She graciously puts the team above herself and always is encouraging and ready to compete," said Ladies Volleyball head coach Caroline Carlton.
Only playing in three of the first 13 games of 2018, Young had quite the month of October for the Gents. As a reserve against Louisiana College October 2, a 3-3 tie, Young scored a pair of goals on both shots he took in the game. In the final home game of the season against Mississippi University for Women October 13, a 3-1, come-from-behind victory, Young scored an insurance goal in the 87th minute.
"Matthew is an extremely positive person and always puts the team before himself," said Gents Soccer head coach Kyle Symczak. "Matthew is a player that gives his all in everything he does and has a tremendous respect for the game. He supports his teammates and is the first person to shake a competitor's hand after a game. I am thankful that Matthew is part of our program."
Finally, Dougherty started all 15 games as a defender for Ladies Soccer. She assisted the game-winning goal in a 3-1 win for Centenary in the season opener against Belhaven September 1. She scored a critical game-tying goal on her first shot of her collegiate career in the 83rd minute of Centenary's eventual 4-3 (2OT) win against Texas Lutheran.
Dougherty also received the first ever Centenary Athlete of the Week honor September 4.
"Every team seems to have a player that checks all the boxes: good student, hard worker, comes into season in great shape, team player, accepts her role on the squad, consistently exceeds expectations, never complains, and a great sportsman. Veronica exemplifies what it is to be a great athlete and sportsman," said Ladies Soccer Head Coach Greg Cathell. "Despite playing in some action-packed games, she always kept her calm and worked through adversity. We are very proud of Veronica for being selected by the conference for the SCAC All-Sportsmanship Team and look forward to her future accolades both on and off the field here at Centenary!"
