Athletes Beyond Bartow update: O'Connor helps lead Western Carolina to early volleyball wins

Many of the fall collegiate athletes with ties to Cartersville and Bartow County will not get their 2016 seasons underway until later this week, but a handful of locals are on teams that have already started their regular seasons.

Bartow Sports Zone, through our 'Athletes Beyond Bartow' page, periodically updates the season for local, current athletes at the collegiate and professional levels.

College football, cross country, soccer, volleyball, and fall tennis will be in full swing in the coming week or two.

Here are the updates for the week ending August 28.

FOOTBALL

ISAIAH ROSS — Point University (Jr., Woodland HS ) . . . 13 total tackles, 11 of them solo tackles Saturday, August 27 in a 55-2 season opening loss at 11th-ranked Reinhardt University. He also forced a fumble. The NAIA Skyhawks travel to NCAA D-II Gulf South Conference member Mississippi College Saturday, September 3.

VOLLEYBALL

KATIE O’CONNOR — Western Carolina University (Jr., Cartersville HS) . . . 11 kills, one dig, one block, and six block assists as the Lady Catamounts defeated Alabama-Birmingham in a grueling five set match August 26. She had six kills, one dig, and four block assists in another five set win over Charleston Southern August 27. She totaled eight kills and one dig during a four set loss to Tennessee Tech, also on August 27. WCU (2-1) travels to Tampa, FL for the University of South Florida Classic September 2 and 3. The Catamounts will play the hosts, Georgetown, Florida Atlantic, and New Mexico before returning home for a match with Appalachian State September 6.

SOCCER

EMILY MOORE — Charleston Southern (Sr., Woodland HS) . . . started at defender August 19 in a 2-0 loss at Elon. Came off the bench August 21 and took two shots, one on goal in a 2-0 home victory over Jacksonville University, and saw action as a reserve in a 3-0 win for the Lady Buccaneers over the University of North Florida August 28. CSU (2-1) plays at College of Charleston Wednesday, August 31 before hosting Long Island University and Eastern Kentucky Friday and Sunday as part of the Nike Challenge 1.

HALEY PITTMAN — Life University (Fr., Adairsville HS) . . . started at forward for the Running Eagles in a 2-0 home loss to University of South Carolina-Beaufort on August 20, a 7-0 road loss at Georgia Gwinnett College August 24, and a 2-0 loss at Faulkner (AL) University August 28. Life (0-3) plays at Bryan (TN) College Wednesday, August 31 and hosts LaGrange College on Saturday, September 3.

CODY WEST — Duquesne University (RS Jr., Cass HS) . . . started at forward for the Dukes and took two shots on goal in a 2-1 season opening victory over Saint Francis University August 26. Duquesne plays at the University of Kentucky August 30 and at Wright State University September 5.