Michigan State University Athletics
Nicole Colaluca Named Big Ten Defensive Player Of The Week
11/27/2006 12:00:00 AM | Volleyball
Nov. 27, 2006
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Michigan State libero Nicole Colaluca has been named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday. The award is the first such honor of her career, and marks the second MSU Defensive Player of the Week selection this season, as Vanessa King recieved the award on Nov. 13.
"Nicole (Colaluca) has made a major impact on the Michigan State volleyball program throughout her career," Spartan head coach Cathy George said. "She had an outstanding week against Michigan and Iowa, and will close her MSU career as one of the best defensive players in Spartan history."
Colaluca anchored the Spartan backcourt with 7.16 digs per game combined in a pair of wins against Michigan and Iowa last weekend. The senior libero contributed 18 digs and three assists against the Wolverines and matched a season high with 25 digs in the regular-season finale versus the Hawkeyes. She ends the 2006 regular season ranked second in the single-season record book with 4.68 digs per game.
State (19-11, 10-10 Big Ten) received an at-large bid to the NCAA Division I Women's Volleyball Championship Tournament and will travel to the campus of UCLA to face unseeded Utah (27-3, 16-0 Mountain West) in the first round on Dec. 1 at 8:30 p.m. ET.
