Marlins Highlights

Grace McGhee | Marlin Chronicle
Junior Jordan Crump at the free-throw line against Marymount University.

Men’s Basketball Players career high points

The  Marlins Men’s Basketball team crushed the Saints of Marymount University 89-57 on Nov. 13. On this victory, various Marlins stood out with their performance that night. Jordan Crump, who is a swingman for the Men’s Basketball team, scored a career-high of 28 points that night, adding to that three steals, five rebounds and a perfect 5-5 on 3-point field goals. 

Other players such as fifth year senior Tim Fisher and fifth year senior Corey Pelham, were of great help for the Marlins to take the advantage of 32 points against the Saints of Marymount University. Fisher added a double-double with 19 points, ten rebounds and six assists and Pelham contributed with eight points, three assists, three steals and three rebounds. 

Nine days after the game against Saints of Marymount University, the Marlins faced the Falcons of Pfeiffer University and lost 64-67. Despite the loss, senior Tim Fisher scored a career-high of 31 points. Fisher ended that night contributing to the team a double-double with 31 points, 13 rebounds, two assists and a 68% from behind the field.  

However, Fisher was not the only one with double digits that night. Sophomore Eric Rowland contributed with 10 points, five rebounds and two assists. 

Grace McGhee | Marlin Chronicle
Freshman Emma Claytor attacks the volleyball.

Freshman Emma Claytor wins AVCA All-Region R.O.Y.

First year Emma Claytor had an incredible season with the VWU Volleyball team. She was recognized as ODAC Rookie of the Year, named into the ODAC All-Tournament team and Second-team All-conference Honors. She also was named the AVCA All-Region VI Rookie of the year. She is now the first Marlin to be named All-Region Rookie of the Year Honors for VWU. 

With an incredible performance this season, Claytor made a total of 216 kills on the season averaging 2.35 per set, finishing the season with a .323 hitting percentage with only 60 errors on 483 attempts. In the semifinal match against Randolph-Macon, the Marlins took the victory 3-2 and Claytor made an amazing performance establishing a career-best of 18 kills in the five sets. 

 Claytor was placed fourth in the league in hitting percentage. She was ranked fifth in the league in blocking and second on her team, with 82 total blocks with 67 assisted blocks and 15 solo blocks. In the final eight games of the season, she appeared in all 30 sets putting down 97 kills and 37 blocks. 

Although Claytor stands as the lone Marlin in the program to earn All-Region Honors, other Volleyball players stood out in a great performance earning All-ODAC first and second team. Junior Haley Sutton was placed in the All-ODAC first team and first year Isabelle Gaudet, first year Emma Claytor, senior Sydney Collins and sophomore Morgan Ludovici were placed in the All-ODAC second team. 

Grace McGhee | Marlin Chronicle
Senior Kennedi Anders maintains control of the ball against Lynchburg player.

VWU Women’s Soccer Team at the Headlines of ODAC Conference Honors 

After their incredible season performance, the Women’s Soccer team earned various conference honors including Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year and Coach of the Year. Also, seven players from the team were named into the All-Conference first, second and third team. 

Junior Sam Crawford earned Player of the Year after outstanding work in the defense line. She recorded 12 shutouts this season, earning the ODAC Championship All-Tournament Most Outstanding Player and All-ODAC first team player. 

First year Breacain McClenahan earned recognition of Rookie of the Year selected by the league coaches. McClenahan led the team with six goals and a pair of assists and two-game winners. She also earned the spot on the All-ODAC First Team.   

Earlier this season, Coach Jeff Bowers earned his 300th career victory against Lynchburg on Oct. 13. Now, in his 22nd season, he earned Coach of the Year after leading the team to the regular season victory and ODAC championship. 

The other Marlins that were placed in the All-ODAC teams were senior Kennedi Anders for the first team, first year Kaitlyn Duswalt and sophomore Rachel Quigley for the second team and senior Carleigh Van Reenen and senior Camryn Terry for the third team. 

Steven Serrano
sdserranocruz@vwu.edu