Little East weekly honors for PSU student-athletes

            PLYMOUTH, N.H. - Three Plymouth State University student-athletes were recognized by the Little East Conference on Tuesday with top honors in the LEC's weekly awards program for the first week of the school year.

            Senior Eliza Badeau (Foster, R.I./Ponaganset) was selected LEC Women's Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week; and senior Semir Mehmedovic (Zvornik, Bosnia/Franklin, N.H.) and freshman Bjorn Ohlsson (Halmstad, Sweden) were named LEC Men's Soccer Offensive Player and Goalkeeper of the Week, respectively.  They were all factors in the two Panther teams going undefeated in season-opening tournaments last weekend.

            A 6'0" middle hitter, Badeau (right) led Plymouth State to a 4-0 start to the season with four straight 3-0 sweeps at the Emerson/Wentworth Tournament in Boston.  She averaged 4.17 kills per game with an attack percentage of .597, recording 50 kills with just seven errors in 72 attempts in the four matches.  Badeau reached double figures in kills in all four matches, leading the Panthers with 10 kills and no errors in a win over Framingham State; 14 kills and one error in a victory over Salve Regina; 16 kills and four errors in the decision over Ramapo, and 10 kills and two errors in the win over Simmons.  She also contributed six service aces and 11 blocks at the net for the Panthers.

            A 5'6", 150-pound forward, Mehmedovic (left) scored both game-winning goals in a pair of 1-0 victories as Plymouth State captured the fifth annual Roger Williams Turfer Classic.  He scored midway through the first half in the season opener on Saturday as PSU held on for the victory over Ithaca College, and he tallied the game-winner Sunday three minutes into overtime as the Panthers defeated Roger Williams in the championship game.  Mehmedovic was named the tourney's Offensive MVP and was a member of the All-Tournament Team.

            A 6'1", 178-pound keeper, Ohlsson was outstanding in goal with a pair of shutout victories as Plymouth State captured the Roger Williams Classic.  He made four saves on Saturday as the Panthers blanked Ithaca College 1-0, and he made seven saves on Sunday as PSU edged Roger Williams in the championship game.  Opponents have taken 31 shots but have been unable to get one past Ohlsson.

            The Panther women's volleyball team hosts the Days Inn of Campton Tournament this Friday and Saturday at Foley Gymnasium, while the men's soccer team plays three more road games before its home opener against Bates College on Wednesday, Sept. 23. 

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