The fall sports season is nearing its final stretch as teams around Lexington County compete in region competitions to prepare for the playoffs. 

On the football fields and volleyball courts, there are only a few games left for teams to improve their standing. This week’s Athlete of the Week winners stepped up in the clutch and guided their teams to region wins.

Voting for Athlete of the Week runs from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Monday each week at lexingtonchronicle.com/athleteoftheweek. To submit a nominee for consideration, email a photo and short bio to sports@lexingtonchronicle.com.

Jai Chuniesingh

Pelion receiver Jai Chuniesingh has been an explosive playmaker for the team through one half of the season. 

The senior’s contributions have helped the Panthers get off to a 4-2 start this season. The team earned a win in its region opener versus Ninety Six last week, thanks in part to Chuniesingh. 

Chuniesingh finished the game with nine catches for 160 yards. He caught one of quarterback Alan Moore’s three touchdown passes and added 21 yards on two carries. 

Through six games, Chuniesingh leads the Panthers in catches with 40, receiving yards with 829 and touchdowns with 10. Pelion has four games left this season and will turn to its top target to carry them across the finish line. 

Shamiya Jefferson

Dutch Fork volleyball junior Shamiya Jefferson helped the Silver Foxes capture their second region win and move up a spot in the standings last week. 

The Silver Foxes defeated Irmo three sets to none last week and moved past White Knoll in the region standings. Jefferson led the team’s offensive attack in that match, finishing with a team-high nine kills and five aces.

Jefferson is a veteran on the court. She is in her fourth year of varsity play since joining the Ben Lippen team in eighth grade. She moved to Dutch Fork last season and has risen to the top of the lineup this year. 

She leads the team in kills, hitting percentage and blocks. She’s second on the team in Aces. 

Dutch Fork is preparing for its final group of region games. The team can move up or down the standings depending on the results. More strong play from Jefferson will improve their odds greatly.