By BRENT STUBBS

Senior Sports Reporter

bstubbs@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamian connection of Eugene Stuart and Rajahl Moxey have helped the University of Charleston Golden Eagles men's volleyball team to an impressive start to their 2018 season.

The Golden Eagles pushed their front-running overall win/loss record to 6-1 while posting their first two victories ever in the EIVA conference play with a 3-2 win over Princeton as Stuart recorded six total blocks and they swept the Tigers 3-0, thanks to five blocks from Stuart.

"Overall, it was 100 per cent high average, high energy, nobody gave up," Stuart said of the team's performance.

"I think everyone did what they had to do, everyone chipped in and got the job done. It was just a fun time."

Stuart, 21, also led the offensive attack for the University of Charleston, contributing 20 kills while hitting .500 to earn his first EIVA Defensive Player of the Week honours.

Stuart, a junior, was selected as the EIVA Defensive Player of the Week after recording 11 total blocks in a 2-0 week and he was named Charleston's Athlete of the Week.

"I am still in shock that I won the awards," said the 6-6 middle blocker. "I worked hard, putting in the work in practice and putting in a high level of energy in the games, so I guess it all paid off."

In the 21 sets they've played so far, Stuart is averaging 1.71 kills, 0.19 service aces, 0.33 digs and 0.86 blocks. Moxey, in 11 sets played, is averaging 1.09 kills, 0.36 assists, 0.36 service aces, 1.64 digs and 0.27 blocks.

Stuart said Moxey, a 21-year-old senior, has a lot to do with his accomplishments as they provide the Bahamian connection at Charleston.

"That's like my brother on the court," Stuart pointed out of Moxey. "The whole game he's been a mentor to me, telling me that I could do it. We push each other to make sure that we play better.

The Golden Eagles will be back in action on Thursday when they host Alderson Broaddus University at 7pm in the Wehrle Innovation Center before they take on St Francis next week in their next set of conference games.

"Right now, I feel we are just getting into the swing of things," Stuart stressed. "We can't get complacent, but I think everything will be just upswing for us. Our coaches bring out the best in us and I also believe that the players get a lot of energy from our fans."

Stuart, a graduate of St Augustine's College where he starred for the Big Red Machine, attributed a lot of his success so far to his parents, Fabian and Enid Stuart, the New Providence Volleyball Association, pro players Byron Ferguson and Shemari Hepburn and JeVaughn Saunders.

However, Stuart said he has to give a shout out to the late DeVince Smith, whom he credited for getting him started on his collegiate journey. "I know if he was alive, he would be very proud of our accomplishments," Stuart summed up.

Moxey, a 6-3 opposite player, was the focal point of the Hurricanes' team when he attended St Andrew's High School.

Both Stuart and Moxey were members of both the junior and senior men's national volleyball teams.