NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference (CACC) announced its weekly women's volleyball awards on Monday afternoon, with junior libero Nelly Diaz (Land O' Lakes, Fla.) being named the league's Defensive Player of the Week while freshman middle blocker Madison Gardner (Oak Hills, Calif.) was tabbed as the CACC Rookie of the Week.
Diaz anchored Concordia's defense in a pair of victories this past week behind 52 digs on a 7.43 per set rate, boasting 27 in a 3-0 victory against Felician University on Tuesday, Nov. 5 before tallying 25 in a 3-1 victory against the University of the Sciences on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Diaz currently averages 5.04 digs per set, on pace to set the program record while her 378 ranks fifth in the record book. Her dig per set rate ranks third in the CACC.
It is her first weekly acknowledgment from the conference office, and the Clippers' first Defensive Player of the Week selection since Leina Braga earned the nod during the 2013 campaign.
Gardner recorded double-digit kills in each of the Clippers' victories last week. Leading the team with 15 terminations on a .394 clip against Felician and matching for the team-high against USciences with 11.
For the season, the freshman leads the Clippers behind 2.45 kills per set, 0.65 blocks and 0.36 service aces.
It is her second Rookie of the Week nod, the most CACC weekly selections in program history.
The volleyball team looks to secure its spot in the upcoming CACC Championship on Wednesday, Nov. 13 at Post University with first serve set for 7 p.m.
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