Ben McGinnis of Dawson County was named BLITZ Player of the Week for cross country, while Habersham Central’s Alexandra Shalikashvili earned the nod for volleyball Player of the Week.

BEN MCGINNIS

McGinnis enters a monumental senior year in which much is to be expected from him. He has been a mainstay for the Dawson County cross country team as well as the track & field program. McGinnis has battled through adversity leading up to the beginning of the 2019 season, falling victim this calendar year to appendicitis and whooping cough.

While obviously feeling a bit cautious, it’s safe to say that McGinnis may have surprised himself with a season-opening individual victory in the Pickens Preview, running a 16:24, which was a couple of seconds ahead of the next-place runner. McGinnis and the Tigers competed against 13 other teams and 126 total runners. This is McGinnis’ third Player of the Week award, as he won it once last year as a junior and once as a sophomore.

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ALEXANDRA SHALIKASHVILI

Alexandra Shalikashvili of Habersham Central was named Volleyball Player of the Week. Shalikashvili, a senior outside hitter, won her second such award, after having a solid eight-match stretch for the #3-ranked Lady Raiders.

Shalikashvili tallied 65 total kills and 14 aces, recording a 95.3% serving percentage. She added two blocks and 40 digs.