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Friday, September 8,1995 Sophomore gives big net gains In only her second season, Heather Larkin is establishing herself as an asset to the Lady Gamecocks volleyball squad. AuHiiw HUNT Staff writer With only two seniors on the Carolina volleyball squad, it would seem that extra leadership would have to come unexpectedly from a underclassmen. Heather Larkin, 5-11 sophomore middle blocker from Lake Elmo, Minnesota, who has shown significant leadership during her short college volleyball career. Heather was named to the All-SEC volleyball team her first year as a freshman. To be named all-conference as a freshman is quite an accomplishment, and a honor that Larkin is proud of. "To be given this honor so early in my career is quite humbling and I sincerely hope that I continue to produce to make my team a winner and also achieve some of the goals that I want to attain before my playing career is over," Larkin said. Last year, Larkin was the team's leader in hitting percentage in SEC matches. She also finished her freshman season with 214 kills, 67 digs, and 97 total blocks. Kim Hudson, the Lady Gamecocks coach, for the past tnree years says 01 i^anon s piay, nearner is a fast, smooth athlete who will help us be successful in the middle with her strong blocking as well as her attacking." Larkin is not only a sophomore sensation for the Lady Gamecocks, but she was a leader around the SEC. Larkin showed flashes of brilliance and she ranked sixth in the conference in hitting percentage and fourth in blocking. Hudson said of Larkin's accomplishments in the SEC, "Heather is a good allaround athlete, and has potential to be one of the top players in the conference this season." Larkin has been successful so far this season as she recorded eight kills, 13 digs, and two aces in a 3-0 win over Davidson College on Monday. Larkin added 14 kills and 11 digs in a win over Appalachian State this past weekend to led the Lady Gamecocks in the game. On Wednesday, Larkin continued her strong showing when she recorded 9 kills and 15 dips in a 3-0 win nver I1NC-Gra>ns boro to improve the Lady Gamecocks record on the season to 5-0. Larkin is quite optimistic about the season that has just started at 4-0, "The team needs to get better each game and try our hardest to be a winner. The conference will be tough, but if we 11 work hard together then we have a chance to win to win many games and the conference." Larkin is a hard worker and she will continue to improve on what she has accomplished over the last year. As she improves, the rest of the Lady Gamecocks will improve also and will contend for the conference championship in years to come. Larkin is clearly a bright spot on a team that is already a formidable force in SEC volleyball. Carolina travels to Tucson, Arizona Friday, September 8th and Saturday, September 9th for the University of Arizona Volleyball Tournament. They will go up against New Orleans, American University and the University of Arizona. tuc n n imcnnnt ill tic puirouuim m Arkansas t Ryan Wilson USC Sports Co-Editor Larry WHIlams USC | Sports Co-Editor Robbie Meek USC Assistant Sports JHattPrnltt USC Key Grip EthanMyerson USC Gaffer Winner of the 1995 ' South Ca s Gamecc I 9Jf flii Jf .Jt v -,^m -flf .* 1||^M? y? ;?y> J^B jlgWM^|B? ySl mm JM . ? USC's Monty Means congratulates a kneeling \ Gamecock. Means and Davis will both figure In Fayetteville to take on the Razorbacks of Arkai i-'; ' "|i I Season was slowed AM f%t% ^ ?k '1I9H 428 >yrds and ^ Ra^orbacks in recei\ {'V 1994 Led the team tive season...Caught BH Russell for the fourtt 1995 Meadors figure I I BMC Anno C talented and dange j.j. mcMuuno caught four passes Flanker (5'6'\ 153) down. Ruston, Louisiana Senior ; f CDflDTC MM AI ICU/SC i bHJniLLtmmwUlE " /; : FSU PC VGA urn rw |Hf? vs . ?.m lemon CSV UT MSB FSU PC UT UVA FSU 1 PC 111 ?s?r:4% ;. W? -Vi; H 1l&V: $at | FSU PCUT UVA FSU PC UT UVA . .;; . ; . : . ; ; ; ; : . ; : ; FSU PC UT UVA "Best Collegiate Magazine" rolina Press Association 1PQRT! icksse p . | .. jKgM< J?|v ^ j|9 jmH LARRY WILLIAM Eola Davis after Davis's first career to the Carolina offense when the Gamec nsas. sophomore with 28 catches for tree touchdowns...Led the fifiQ i receivina for second consecu E 43 passes for 613 yards and .Reception total tied Derek i highest in school history, is to be the Razorbacks most rous receiver. Against SMU, for 33 yards and one touch ^9 "The Purdue ?? J? 01 who w Purdue NOtre K.m An* Dame Juiie e Ginger B Purdue I Kristen G Beth Ca Brookei Purdue Ashley G Holly Cc Katie < Notre Kristen Dame Ashby i J l Katherine Susan Gi |MQ J? ? ekreden K #yi r LARBY WILLIAMS~ * * & Sports Editor HH1 he mood of most Gamecock fans HL I exiting Sanford Stadium last SatI urday, after watching their team get whipped by the Georgia Bulldogs, was one of utter shock. Incredulous South Carolina faithful replayed the game in their minds, l : 1 I' t n n. _____ _ wonuenug nuw a tuiiimanuing 11-1 ]ea(j couid turn into a 42-23 blowout loss. Shell-shocked, the players were searching for answers as well. So many j believed that Carolina could roll over Georgia, win at Arkansas, and then go Hp on to have a dream season. They were rudely brought back to reality against You could see it coming. Before the season, head coach Brad Scott issued a subtle warning to over-optimistic fans. He said something to the effect that Carolina fens were on a wild horse ride that was extremely exciting, but when the v* WMM ride stopped, reality would set in. Brad ^ ^SilBi Scott the coach, the teacher, the prophet jjjHL Carolina's second half collapse against W mm the Bulldogs can be explained. First of %9H all, the defensive line, which is the dem jUg finitive weak point of the team, was pushing its luck throughout the first half. I There were several instances where UGA's Robert Edwards was an inch from breaking long touchdown runs. With no returning starters, the defensive line was bending in the first half. In the sec ond half, it broke. Against Georgia, South Carolina's running game was non-existent. Tail^ backs Stanley Pritchett and Duce Staley looked good at times, but rarely had anywhere to run. One glaring concern was the corner blitz. Time and time again, a Georgia defender would rush hum the outside ? untouched ? to flatten Taneyhill. Here, communication was the problem, but if it keeps up, Taneyhill could be injured by the third game of the season. Finally, and most importantly, the youth of this team must be highlighted. Yes, there is a load of talent on this team, talent that has never graced the University of South Carolina before; how ever, it is unproven, and inexperienced 18 k! amecock talent that has never experienced comU u fl" ai**a petition like they will in the greatest ve ? football conference in America ? the t 1993 Appeared ii : f' roles... Had six reception was fiarnlinci A ?n h: L^mm W A State9^^^ M\ 1994 Much impr MAI yards and three Ak mM Kentucky which < n/inurv mnue for 63 yards agai MONTY MEANS 1995 Postseason Wide Receiver (6T, 200) was Kmited due Union, S.C. Pass for ei9ht yai Senior ^ 995 Season Aqsu 79 yards and one ^ ~ ire are two kinds of women in this rear the diamond, and those who i A <* LonaratulaUo 1995 Alpha CU : mm t m elastro Laura Gregory laker Uza Hanna rewton Marne Henson trowder j 1 Gretchen Hay ild well j | Davis Dyson Heather Milne Graham Stacey Murray ramllng Stacy Newton Alpha Delta Pi 5G 5 nption SEC. To expect a team as young as Carolina's to go to Georgia on the first game of the season and win, well, that would be expecting too much. Despite the collapse against Georgia, all hope is not lost for this season. We must remember that, this time last vnor TT.QP \17QG cfill 0-1 iiicf lilro fViio j uui j vuv T?ukj uvui v/ x, juci/ iiivv yiiuo year. But last year, the Gamecocks won on heart and it one to remember. As the season progresses and as the newcomers get more adjusted to the system, this football team will only get better. Plus, the coaching staff is one of the best in the business, and they'll get the job done. With Stanley Pritchett being moved to fullback and Duce Staley remaining at tailback, the offensive backfield will have as solid a double threat as anyone. One of the big reasons for the loss was that Pritchett and Staley weren't in the game at the same time. With either Jason Lawson or Reggie Alexander in at fullback, Georgia's defense could key on either of the tailbacks. With senior Eric Sullivan returning, USC will receive some much needed help, experience, and leadership on the defensive line. Sullivan will see action tomorrow and will provide invaluable help for the defense. The secondary, if they can improve on their communication, should improve as well. Plan nn epoincr tho lntrO-ion oinlr ho ing thrown at Taneyhill, qs defensive coordinator Joe Lee Dunn (formerly of USC) is famous for his all-out-blitzing schemes. If the offensive backfield fails to pick up the corner blitzes like they did last week, it'll be a long day for Carolina fans. The keys on defense will be: 1) stop the option 2) stop the option and 3) stop the option. If there is a game for the defensive line to prove themselves, this is the one. Also, Barry Lunney is an experienced quarterback who can burn you deep. South Carolina players will be more than ready to redeem themselves from last week's performance. The offense should put up enough points to win the game, and the defense should contain the option attack. Tomorrow, USC will prove that the collapse against Georgia was indeed a fluke. Final score: USC 20 Arkansas 17. P.S... To the classless Georgia fans that cheered last week when Taneyhill lay on the turf injured: Have fun at Tennessee. yi (i) a 53 yard pickup vs.* Eaat ad a 43 yard catch vs. Mississippi oved, had 22 receptions for 270 TD's. Caught 52 yarder against Pinched game...Had six receptions nst Vanderbilt. Effectiveness in Carquest Bowl to dislocated finger...Caught one 'ds. nst Georgia, caught five passes for ) touchdown. \ world - those k vlsh they did..." Vf) n$ i r 55 Vanessa Nuzzl Kylle Oswald Katie Pekarsky . Heather Prescott r Katie Seldel Janea Sweet Jessica Trotter ^ Laura Tucker ?" Brandls Watklns Catherine Way Shana Whltener Merideth Wyndham j