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Gamecock Sports Schedule ■ Men’s soccer at Davidson, Wed., 6:15 p.m. ■ Volleyball at LSU; Fri., 8 p.m. ■ Women’s soccer vs. Utah, Fri., 7 p.m. ■ Football vs. Mississippi State, Sat., 12:30 p.m. V. Wednesday, September 20,2000 Wbt (BamCCOCk , Pa6e 11 Volleyball beats ASU by Charles Tomlinson The Gamecock Tie University of South Carolina women’s volleyball team improved their record to 9 3 on Tuesday night, defeating Appalachian State 3-0. The final game scores were 15-4,15-7, & and 15-9. USC’s overall attacking percentage was .381, while ASU (5-7) had an overall .041 attacking percentage. Sam Alban had an attacking percentage of .647 for the game, leading the team with 13 kills and four block assists. Cally Plummer, diis week’s SEC Player of die Wfeek, played anodier strong game .'gainst the Mountaineers. She reached .412 and had 10 kills, 10 digs, and three block assists. Milica Perovic made six kills, seven digs, and two block assists. Nia Mackie also appeared in the game, contributing four crucial kills and two digs. Benia Dwyer also contributed three block as sists. “Megan [Hosp] did a good Job moving the ball around,” Christopher said. “We got some good play out of Nia Mackie; she came in and did well. Milica played well tonight, passed well, and attacked well.” Karen Nielsen led Appalachian State with w 10 kills and six digs. Katherine Dean and Claire Reynolds each had five kills and a block as sist. “I think we stayed focused through the whole game,” said Mackie. “Even when it looked like we had a bad pass, we were still able to pick it up and go on and get a kill. We picked up a lot more balls, and blocking and hitting were a lot better.” “Overall, we played well, but we didn’t play up to our abilities,” said Perovic. “I’m sure we all can get better in all areas of the game. I’m satisfied but I know we can get bet ter.” The sports desk can be reached at gamecocksports@hotmail.com. Sean Rayford The Gamecock Volleyball players Sam Alban, Mandy Quaterman, Sara Heri and Megan Hosp celebrate during their 3-0 victory over Clemson last Wednesday. Quinn’s offense vital to Gamecocks by Kyle Almond The Gamecock Before the 2000 season, there were a lot of questions surrounding the USC men’s soccer team, and more specif ically, their offensive pro duction. After all, the team had suf fered the loss of John Harr and Ryan O’Neill, two of their top scorers from last season, to graduation. With 19 of the team’s 24 players being either freshmen or sophomores, no one knew who, if anyone, would step up to fill the huge void left be hind by Harr and O’Neill, who combined for 13 goals and 35 points in 1999. Only six games into the new season, there’s no longer need for concern. Jordan Quinn has established him self as South Carolina’s new offensive leader and most dan gerous goal-scoring threat. The sophomore forward from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., has been on fire since the sea son got underway, scoring four goals and contributing three assists for 11 points. He is the statistical leader in every ma jor offensive category for the Gamecocks. In addition to leading the team in goals, as sists and points, Quinn also leads USC in total shots with 27 and shots on goal with 11. Quinn’s big numbers have translated into early success for South Carolina. The team has gotten off to Quinn see page 12 Sean Rayford The Gamecock USC forward Jordan Quinn sprints ahead of the opposi tion, looking to make a play. Linebacker “Off” * * to a career year by Chris Foy The Gamecock South Carolina senior inside linebacker An dre Offing has three goals for himself posted on his mirror. 1. To graduate. 2. To be a leader. 3. To be one of the best linebackers in the SEC. Although he has already accomplished his first goal by receiving his degree in Criminal Jus tice this past August, Offing’s mentality will prob ably keep him from being fully satisfied until he has accomplished the other two. In many people’s eyes, he has achieved all of his goals, but Offing isn’t making it easy on him self. His inner desire and dedication to excellence will keep him driving non-stop to be the absolute . best. Offing is already off to a prolific start this sea son, leading the Gamecocks with 26 tackles. He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in USC’s season opener against New Mexico State. Offing, originally from Houston, says he learned his strong work ethic and what it takes to be successful in life from his grandfather and un cles. He has an intense desire to play in the NFL, but an even larger one to continue his family’s tradition of law enforcement. He wants to be an FBI agent so that he can step in and help kids who grew up in similar neighborhoods to his. His favorite player in the NFL growing up, and who still is today, is Junior Seau of the San Diego Chargers. Offing is impressed with Seau’s all-around contribution to the game. "I love the way he plays," Offing said. "He’s a natural leader." Offing’s fondest memory as an athlete was also one of his proudest. On his birthday this year, not only did Offing help the Gamecocks snap the nation’s longest losing streak, but he also con tributed an important play when he returned a New Mexico State fumble 23 yards for a touch down. Offing admits he was overwhelmed with emo tion'that night, and he feels there are few com parable moments to the appreciation he and his teammates felt for each other in the locker room following the game. Offing has the desire to make the defensive unit the No. 1 defense in the nation. They cer tainly are on track for that accomplishment, as they have only given up an average of 5.3 points per game thus far. Perhaps the defense’s most dazzling perfor mance was not their shutout against New Mexi co State, but against Georgia and an offense that was ranked No. 1 in the SEC last season. The Gamecocks shut down the Bulldogs’ Heisman candidate quarterback, Quincy Carter, intercept ing five of his passes. . Offing feels that their performance against the Bulldogs exemplified the talent of the Game . cock defense. "It shows a lot when your team is able to con tain a quarterback of his (Carter) caliber," Offing said. Offing gives some of the credit to who he calls two of the best linebackers in USC history: John Abraham and Corey Atkins. Offing said that by having an opportunity to play with the two, he has truly learned how to be a leader. "They played hard in practice and it carried onto the field," Offing said. "Leaders come out when you’re tired, not in the 1st or 2nd quarter. When your team is tired and down, that is when a true leader steps up and takes charge." The sports desk can be reached at gamecocks ports @hotmaiLcom. Sean Rayford The Gamecock Gamecock linebacker Andre Offing (center) mauls a New Mexico State running back. Men’s soccer looking to continue hot streak at Davidson by George Simpson The Gamecock The USC men's soccer team is flying high after its brilliant performances against two of the top soccer teams in the nation. The Gamecocks’ superb play in the Maryland Soc cer Classic earned them wins over No. 8 Maryland and No. 1 Virginia. The tournament is used as a measuring stick for the nation's elite teams and USC has proven that it belongs among the best. The Gamecocks (5-1) square off tonight against a tal ented Davidson squad. The Wildcats (3-1-1) lost only three starters last season and are a force to contend with in the Southern Region. If Carolina is to emerge victorious, they have to sus tain the level of play that put them in the upper echelon of college soccer. Both the Wildcats and Gamecocks retain many of their scoring threats from last season, and those threats are not hollow this season. This match-up of aggressive forwards is enticing and extremely competitive. The Wildcats feature 1999 All-Conference honoree Chris Norbet, a junior forward who led the team in scor ing last season and is among the leaders this season. Senior Justin Saunders and freshman David Peoples con tribute as well. The trio has combined for 10 points in five games. The Gamecock forwards showcase some of the top talent in the nation. Junior Joey Worthen, freshman Ryan Daley, and sophomore Jordan Quinn provide the offen sive electricity, combining for four goals and 13 points so far this season. Worthen is a proven scorer after leading the team in goals (11) and points (27) last sea 'an, and Quinn is the team’s leading scorer so far this season. They make up the heart and soul of the USC of fend. The teams' midfields are highly contrasting and can be described as experience versus innocence. David son starts juniors Jon Tetirick, Jeremy Kilbum, and Mary land transfer Erik Ozimek. Tetirick is the leading scor er and, at center-midfield, the field general for Coach Charlie Slagle. Ozimek is still learning, but is a major contributor. The Gamecocks start sophomores David Testo and Dave Moore, along with freshman Jack Cummings. What they lack in experience is made up for with raw talent and desire. Moore and Cummings provide scoring and all-around solid play. The Wildcat defenst is led by captain David Buehler and four-year starter Patrick Miller, and should be one of the best in the Southern Conference. Junior John Mar tin and freshman Justin Porter complete the back-line. Miller is the defensive stopper and will most likely mark USC's most potent attacker. Buehler provides stability to a veteran unit. Tending goal is surprise star Soren Johnson, who has allowed 10 goals with a 1.95 goals against average.. The South Carolina defense is a patchwork of vet erans and youngsters. Chris Lockwood and Ryan Stock ing provide leadership and strength that mesh with the talent of underclassmen Robert Rosenberg and Tim Glowienka. The defense has been spectacular all season, allowing only a goal per game. The Gamecocks also have former All-American goal keeper Henry Ring, to cover any mistakes the defense may make. The redshirt senior allowed only 27 goals last season and has been perhaps even stronger this year, al lowing only four goals with a 0.74 GAA. Ring also has 29 saves and two shutouts on the year. i ’ ; The sports desk can be reached at gamecocksports@hotmail.com. Sean Rayford The Gamecock Ryan Daley dribbles past a Virginia Tech defender in the Gamecocks’ 4-2 victory last Sunday. Daley scored two or Carolina’s goals in the game and he shares the team lead with four goals on the season.