Sarasota Sidelines 09.03.15

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: Marlon Mack

Marlon Mack, a 2014 graduate of Booker High, started all 12 games as running back last fall in his first season at the University of South Florida. Mack led the American Athletic Conference, rushing for 86.8 yards per game. He was named AAC Rookie of the Year and a first-team all-conference selection. 

Mack also earned the Bulls’ Offensive MVP award after recording just the fourth 1,000-yard rushing season in USF history, setting a new freshman record with 1,041 yards. He opened his freshman season with an AAC record and USF record tying 275 yards and four touchdowns versus Western Carolina. Mack posted four 100-yard games, the most for a USF player since 2009, and finished third in the AAC with nine rushing touchdowns. 

Mack, who opens his sophomore season Sept. 5 versus Florida A&M, has been named to the 2015 Maxwell Award Watch List, which recognizes the best players in college football. 

SIDELINES 

SCS opens season with wins

The Sarasota Christian volleyball team opened its season with victories versus Seffner Christian and Port Charlotte Aug. 24 and Aug. 25, respectively. 

The Lady Blazers beat Seffner Christian 25-16, 25-21, 25-17. Cheyenne Miller powered Sarasota Christian with 14 kills, two blocks and two aces. McKenzie Lantz added seven kills and three aces. 

Sarasota Christian followed up its win with a 25-22, 26-24, 25-15 victory versus Port Charlotte. 

Miller finished with 10 kills and an ace. Lantz added eight kills and an ace. Jeslyn Oshea contributed five aces and two blocks. 

ODA boys, Sarasota girls win matches

The Out-of-Door Academy boys golf team shot a combined 152 to beat Sarasota (180) Aug. 26, at Serenoa Golf Club. 

ODA’s Max Coutsolioutsos shot 34 to earn medalist honors. The Thunder’s Jon Eichenbaum shot 35 followed by Steven Ma (41) and Evan Murphy (42). 

Logan Finlay shot 36 to lead the way for Sarasota. Sam Herndon added a 47. Austin Kuster shot 48 and Parker Spence shot 49. 

On the girls side, Sarasota shot a combined 198 to defeat Palmetto (246). Isabella Stepanek shot 36 to earn medalist honors for the Lady Sailors. Jordan Allen shot 46 followed by Katherine Koach (53) and Liz Powell (63). 

Riverview outlasts Venice

The Riverview High volleyball team held on to beat Venice 3-2 Aug. 27. 

The Lady Rams won the first two sets 25-19 and 25-15 before falling to the Lady Indians, a state champion in Class 6A last season, 19-25 and 18-25. Riverview rallied in the final set 15-13 for the win. 

Kenzie Walker finished with 22 kills to lead the way for Riverview. Margo Scnapf added 12 kills and 17 digs. Libero Sam Norden finished with 34 digs and 20 perfect passes. Setter Kayla Walker dished out 51 assists and added 15 digs.