The gamecock. (Columbia, S.C.) 1908-2006, September 06, 1996, Page 9, Image 9
Friday, September 6,1996
Mathis back
JEFFREY BELOGEn Staff Writer
Clint Mathis is coining off the most
productive season in Carolina history,
and he's not through yet If the junior
midfielder plays anything like he did
last season, he will be mere than worthy
of his preseason Ail-American status.
His stellar season last year was one
in which dreams are made, as it was
a season when three Gamecock records
r-11 OK /vaa!A A t-,- _ i _
leu. hwuijo guaio gave mm a tie
for the nation's lead
That's a really big honor that I
definitely couldn't have done without
my teammates," Mathis said.
Those same 25 goals gave him the
school record for goals in a season. He
tallied 53 points and notched 10 gamewinning
goals, both Carolina records.
He was also one of 12 finalists for the
Hermann award, soccer's version of
the Heisman trophy.
Awards are nothing new for Mathis.
In 1993 he was Gatorade Player of the
Year in Georgia, while enrolled at
Heritage High School in Conyers,
Georgia. That's when he decided to
come to the University of South
Carolina.
The year before I came, USC was
Gamecoi
Centra
?1 I
Achim Hunt
Sports Editor L
Record: 5-2
Bryan Johnston
Asst. Sports Editor U
1|| Record: 4-3
Dwayne McLemore
Asst. Sports Editor L
III Record: 6-1
BJ McKie
Guest Picker L
III Record: 5-2
VJl
L
c;
fr
Youi
S
0rts
, 634 Harden S
in search of c
secondinthe
nation. I always
knew they had a
j good program.
(XWT Then I realized it
1 1 T wasn't far from
^ home, and that
R V way my family
could come watch
mkr' without it being a
^problem," he said.
MATHIS He immediately
made an impact, starting 19 of his first
on emmes his freshman season. Scoring
nine goals and assisting in four, giving
him 22 points, was good enough for a
tie for third on the team. And he's
improved ever since.
Coming off an injury he sustained
in the second round of the NCAA
tournament, he concentrated on getting
healthy over the summer. He played
in a couple of tournaments in France
and Switzerland, and also took part
in soccer camp.
If Mathis remains healthy, there
is no telling what he and the team can
accomplish. He's already a preseason
Ail-American and one of the early
fo\rn*?ifao fr\r* fV?o Unrmonn o \ir
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"I don't feel any pressure. If I do,
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I do, if I dont, I don't," he said, refen
to his preseason All-American sta
But more importantly, the tear
ranked 6th in preseason polls, an
led by Mathis and fellow presea
All-American candidate Tony Si
Tne team has a shot to go far, i
maybe even win the natioi
championship, which is a goal
Mathis.
"I really want to win a natio
championship before I leave," he s
This is going to take a team efl
but having Mathis is a big boost.
Now that Major League Soccer
taken flight in the United States,
f A V\A n Llf rMrtm? AA11A/VA A1
CJCCllizs wuca mi) maiiy tuucgc pier
have a goal to shoot for.
Now they can dream of play
professional soccer on their own t
and in front of home crowds. To Mai
this is definitely a goal.
"I would love to go and p
profesional somewhere, especiall;
the United States."
But that is somewhere down
road. For now this Gamecock has n
records to break, and hopefully tl
is a national championship to be v
hallenge
rizona/ SC State/ Charlestoi
Iowa Southern
iowa SC State
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rizona SC State
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Shani Abstiier
ring Junior 5-10
tus. Outside Hitter
nis jm l^Hi^ghts:
... mm * 91 win over Hofstra.
oto jfl 1996 Outlook: "E\
j than last year, to p
an Kim Hudson: "SI
a defensive player,
for
Ashley tdlund
nal Sophomore *5-7
aid. j0 Setter Portage
brt, JjT 1 1995 Highlights:
,T ^ **f| recorded 1,404 ass
has . i totaled season hig!
and f L ' 1996 Outlook:
yers I the season will go
^ | Kim Hudson:"A
ing Her worl
this ~~~~ Dee Dee Fortman
1 _ Middle Blocker
'life, r"-^Wr ^ ^ against
the J3fefdfiL 1996 Outlook: "I
lore the best we can."
lere Kim Hudson: T
von. explosive and is a
gg|fj Fernanda Lalres
Freshman 5-9
AOutside Hitter
g ? Jk High School Hig
m **" "*** of Rio de Janeiro J
mk . % M 1996Outlook:"V
flF Kim Hudson: "F
1 ? 111
Carolina Clas:
" II DWAYNE MCLEMORE
Asst. Sports Editor
, III Lady Gamecock volleyball opens a
new door today when the team plays its
first game in the new Volleyball
Competition/Basketball Practice Facility.
Today's 11 a.m. match against
Eastern Kentucky will also be USC's
first cf "our as they host the Carolina
JtHf Classic. Hie team alters the 1996 season
with high hopes, after going 21-11 last
year and winning its first NCAA
~ IDUURI
JjBBi
HWH.
kKEMaallaJi
Tucson, AZ
Second on team in digs, with 395... h
ith double-digit kills, including four w
'eryone has a good attitude and we're v,
>ush ourselves and test our limits."
lani is exiting to,coach because of he)
the is very active on the court."
Named to District Four team (only fri
3ists ... third on team in digs with 351
h 70 assists and 24 digs against Georgi
re're older this year and know the rope
good."
shle/s consistency and experience a:
t ethic and court demeanor make thc3t
3
Kansas City, MO
: First freshman in history of Gamecoc
had two triple doubles in SEC play... re
; Clemson
think we have a good team. I just war
>ee Dee brings a great deal of athletic
very talented athlete."
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
hlights: 19 and under team was seconc
state Championship teams three times
/e're a very good team and we're practi
'ernanda is an intelligent player with
d has the ability to make things happe
sic tournamei
Tournament game.
Carolina's first match against tl
Colonels will be the schools' third meetin
with USC leading the series 2-0. Eastei
Kentucky's coach, Dr. Geri Polvino, h:
been at the helm for 29 years, with
611-390 record.
The Gamecock's second match wi
be at 7 p.m. today against the Universi
of Oklahoma. The Sooners won the team
only past meeting.
Chi Saturday, Carolina will play tl
fANS ADA)
fit '"ipjm
i m '
flHHHl
9
ad career high 33 digs versus Maryland ...
ith more than 20... hit .375 in first NCAA
rnrkincr real hard Wa'ra lrvnlrincr tn dn hpftpr
r determination and relentless pusuit as a
jshman)... named All-SEC second team ...
... named to All-SEC tournament team ...
ias
s better. We play good together and I think
i a setter helped our team offense greatly
; around her better."
k volleyball to be named SEC Player of the
jcorded season high 18 kills versus Kentucky
it to give it 100 percent every game and do
ism to the middle position. She is fast and
1 at 1995 Brazil Junior Nationals... member
i on the 13 and under,
icing hard. We'll do our best."
a great deal of confidence. She plays and
n."
-compiled by Dwayne McLemore
nt set to begin
University of Illinois-Chicago at 9 a.m.,
le and American University at 2:30 p.m.
g, The first game against the Flames will
"n be the two teams' first meeting, and
i". Carolina is 1-0 against the American
a Eagles.
Carolina enters the tournament after
ill finishing 2-1 this past weekend at the
ty Shamrock Classic in South Bend, Ind.
\d Students and faculty are encouraged to
come and support the Lady Gamecocks
le in their home opener at the new facility.
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