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30 • Friday, September 5, 2003 • Technique SPORTS from page 35 for Eveland, this may be a season of of athletes, ‘the best’ is always a top- leyball has run its course? Eveland Kele déjà vu—hopefully with a similar ic of debate. “My brother never gets has contemplated playing basket- of his players. “I would play for him a release; from school, from volley- or better ending. mentioned, but he’s a great athlete ball for Tech in the spring, but feels four years over in a second,” said ball, from people,” said Eveland. Family has played a crucial role too and claims he has the best shot that it’s her time to relax. “It’s my Eveland. Shymansky’s ability to bal- Understandable, but can she touch and best hands in the family…but I spring time to enjoy life – I’m going ance the different aspects of the col- rim? “Oh no, this girl doesn’t jump can beat him in shooting.” to travel and watch my [older] sister lege game has impressed his starting well… I shoot, I’m a decent shooter “Basketball is another Deciding the best volleyball player run track at Kansas State and go setter. and I have moves, but I don’t jump,” is a different story—all four of the home to see my little sister,” said “They way he controls the busi- she said. That may explain the rea- aspect of her life that girls bring something unique to the Eveland. ness part and the coaching part has son she choose setter. she keeps close. It is playing table: Kele is a setter; of her After graduating from Tech, she always been extremely respectable,” It is actually high school basket- two older sisters, one is a mean hit- would like to turn her attention to said Eveland. Eveland said the coach ball that draws the biggest parallel Eveland’s favorite ter and other plays the best defense; children in need. “I just want to has the respect of the entire team – to her current college volleyball ca- sport to play.” and her baby sister is the most ath- guide kids in a good direction in no questions asked. reer. Her high school basketball team letic of the four. life…God has blessed me with so Basketball is another aspect of also experienced a breakout year They nearly make up an entire much, if I can help someone out, her life that she keeps close. It is during her junior season—similar volleyball team. “We’re all so blessed then I will be happier because of it,” Eveland’s favorite sport to play. to last year’s in volleyball. And like throughout Kele’s entire life. to be athletic… I tell people that my said Eveland. With such a positive “Probably because I rarely get to her senior basketball year in high “I couldn’t live without them, I mom played college volleyball, so and passionate outlook, Kele Eve- play it… I just go out and shoot — school, the volleyball team faces high love them…going home is just a big we got a head start.” land’s life should continue to be when I’m mad, or when I just need expectations coming into 2003. So, party,” said Eveland. In a family full So what happens when Tech vol- one blessing after another. The Technique We’re the South’s liveliest college newspaper. We worked hard to earn that title. SPORTS Technique • Friday, September 5, 2003 • 31 Georgia Tech vs. Auburn Preview By: David Rottman Coaching: Since Chan Gailey arrived on campus things have seemed to go wrong for the Jackets. Defensive Line: Injuries, ineligibility and poor quarterback play has hindered Gailey’s return to the college The ineligibility of Tony Hargrove and Alfred Malone has added salt to the wound of game. Despite a 7-7 start to his Tech career, Gailey does have a history of success, a Division missing Greg Gathers with continued kidney problems. Tech’s front four is marginal at best. II title with Troy State and two NFL playoff appearances in his two years with the Dallas End Eric Henderson and tackle Travis Parker both had solid freshmen years, but without Cowboys. Auburn’s Tommy Tuberville has led the Tigers to three consecutive SEC West having Malone and Hargrove lined up with them, their productivity could diminish in the face titles, with Auburn sharing the title the past two years. of double teams. Auburn has plenty depth on the D-line. Defensive tackle DeMarco McNeill, Advantage: Auburn a preseason All-SEC selection, is the only real star on a unit that will cycle multiple players in throughout the game. Quarterback: Advantage: Auburn True freshman Reggie Ball had an impressive debut in a tough loss at BYU. Ball went 15- 24 for 147 yards and one interception. He carried the ball five times for thirty-nine yards. Linebackers: Ball has Tech fans excited about the possible second coming of Joe Hamilton. Is Reggie the Once again the linebackers are the strength of Tech’s defense. Middle linebacker Daryl next Joe? The jury is still out, but the hope is enough to keep Tech fans watching closely. Smith and outside linebacker Key Fox are big time players and all-star candidates. Smith was Auburn has a firmly established starting QB for the first time since Ben Leard in 2000. Junior named preseason All-ACC first team. Auburn has two of the best linebackers in the country in Jason Campbell has solid career numbers with 2453 yards, fifteen touchdowns, a 61.5 seniors Karlos Dansby and Dontarrious Thomas. Both are candidates for the Butkus Award percent completion percentage and ten picks in 14 starts. Campbell came out of the gate and preseason All-SEC selections. struggling in Auburns opener against Southern Cal. The pressure of USC’s front seven Advantage: Auburn forced Campbell into just a 46 percent completion percentage and one interception. Advantage: Auburn Secondary: Tech returns only one starter, cornerback Jonathan Cox. In steps Reuben Houston at Running Back: corner, James Butler at free safety and Dawan Landry at strong safety. The unit played decently P.J. Daniels will again start for the Jackets. The former walk-on was decent against BYU against BYU, but gave up 276 yards in part due to poor pressure on the quarterback. Both gaining 57 yards on sixteen carries. Backing up Daniels will be sophomore Chris Woods, a Houston and Butler played well, each getting an interception and Butler recording a career- transfer from I-AA Morris Brown College. Auburn has arguably the best backfield in all of high 13 tackles. Auburn also lacks depth and experience in the defensive backfield. Corner college football. The Tigers legitimately go four deep at tailback. The dynamic duo of Carlos Rogers has the potential to be an All-SEC performer. Junior Rosegreen will start at the Carnell “Cadillac” Williams and Ronnie Brown are both preseason All-SEC picks and other corner and had six tackles against USC. candidates for the Doak Walker award. However, Southern Cal was able to neutralize the Advantage: Even talented backs. Advantage: Auburn Special Teams: Graduation devastated Tech’s special teams. Gone are Luke Manget, Dan Dyke and Kelley Wide Receivers: Rhino. Dan Burnett was solid against BYU, going 2-2 on field goals and 1-1 on PATs. Hal One guy, Jonathan Smith. That’s all Tech has in terms of consistent weapons for Reggie Higgins will again handle punting duties. Higgins averaged 41.7 yards-per-punt against BYU. Ball to throw to. Smith caught nine balls for 121 yards. Only tight-end J.P. Foschi caught Jonathan Smith will handle punt returns with track standouts Reuben Houston and Dennis more than one pass, catching three for fourteen yards. Nate Curry, Xavier McGuire and Davis also contributing in the return game. Tre Smith is the main special teams weapon for the Levon Thomas need to step up and make plays to keep defenses from suffocating Smith. Tigers. The third team tailback is a dangerous kickoff and punt return specialist. True Auburn has plenty of speed on the outside, but inexperience is the defining factor for the freshman Kody Bliss will be the punter. Bliss averaged 38.7 yards-per-punt on six kicks in his Tigers’ receiving corps. Sophomore Ben Obomanu is the top target for Jason Campbell. debut against USC. Obomanu had a team high 53 yards on four catches against USC. Advantage: Even Advantage: Even Outlook: Offensive Line: This one does not look good for the Yellow Jackets. Auburn is coming off a tough loss with a lot The strength of Tech’s offense is the O-Line. Back watching Reggie Ball’s blind-side is to prove and will take it out on the thin and inexperienced Jackets. Look for the Auburn offense two time All-ACC selection Nat Dorsey. Kyle Wallace also returns at right tackle this year to perform to the level that is expected of them instead of turning in a repeat performance of the providing solid play on the other side of the line. The leader of the group is fifth-year senior USC game. Compared to USC’s “The Wild Bunch II,” Tech’s front four looks like a high center Hugh Reilly, a candidate for Rimington Trophy awarded to the nation’s top center. school team. Tech fans are going into this game with realistic expectations as the 111-year old Andy Tidwell-Neal and Brad Honeycutt will start at the guards. Monreko Crittenden is the rivalry renews after a 16-year absence.