Monday, October 02, 2006

Macon, Ga. – Leading Belmont to its longest streak since joining the Division I ranks, Colleen Nilson was named Atlantic Sun Player of the Week today by the conference office. The Bruins career assist leader tallied 107 assists in seven games as Belmont cruised to a 2-0 record to open conference play.

The junior setter posted her eighth and ninth double-doubles of the season against Stetson and Mercer. She tallied 45 assists and 10 digs in the sweep of the Hatters and 62 assists and 11 digs against the Bears. For the week, she hit .353, had 107 assists, 21 digs, seven kills, four aces and two blocks.

Nilson is a native of McHenry, Ill. and is majoring in Political Science. The Bruins will be back in action Oct. 3 when they take on cross-town rival Tennessee State.

This is the third Player of the Week award for Belmont this season.

The 10-member league headquartered in Macon, Ga., includes Belmont, Campbell, ETSU, Gardner-Webb, Jacksonville, Kennesaw State, Lipscomb, Mercer, North Florida and Stetson, with Florida Gulf Coast and USC Upstate to compete in 2007.

Other Top Performers

Jennifer Emerson, ETSU (Sr. - S - Tracy, Calif. - Biology) -- Emerson completed another stellar week directing the Lady Bucs offense, dishing out 75 assists in two matches, as ETSU opened Atlantic Sun play with a pair of victories over Gardner-Webb and Campbell.

Ashley Pridgeon, GWU (Jr. - RS - Tallahassee, Fla. - Health/Wellness) -- Pridgeon led the Bulldogs to two victories last week, including their first Atlantic Sun win since Oct. 28, 2003. She tallied a .388 attack percentage for the week

Stevenique Richardson, JU (Sr. - MB - Red Springs, N.C. - Communications) -- Richardson led JU to a 1-1 record during the week, leading the team in kills with 22 and hitting percentage at .311

Cara Wilber, LIP (So. - OH - Georgetown, Calif. - Public Relations) -- Wilber finished with double-doubles in three matches. She tallied 55 kills 41 digs.

Kellie Violette, MER (Sr. - MB - Dixon, Calif. - Political Science) -- Violette led the team in blocks for both matches and tied the team-high for kills in the match against Belmont. Had 23 total kills and 11 total blocks for the weekend.