Freshman volleyball player named MEAC Player of the Week

Photo Courtesy of FAMU Athletics

Florida A&M University freshman Nicole Abreu was selected as the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference volleyball player of the week on Sept. 26.

The 6-foot outside hitter from Lima, Peru has come in and competed for playing time this season, but has clearly shown her teammates and coaches that she can be a leader and get the job done despite being a freshman in college.

Abreu has shown over the course of the season that she has the power to score. She finished with 39 kills in three matches, highlighted by a season high with 22 points against North Florida Sept. 20.

She said being selected as MEAC player of the week is a great accomplishment not only for her, but also for her teammates.

“Being selected MEAC player of the week means a lot to me; but not just me, but for my teammates too, because we all are in this together and want to see each other succeed,” Abreu said.

The Florida A&M Rattlers took on Bethune-Cookman University on Friday’s volleyball game. The Rattlers came out victorious, winning 3-0.

After the game, her teammate Ginna Lopez said Abreu is “one of the best players on the team.”

“I feel so happy for her. She’s one of the best players on the team and she has a lot of potential. This achievement is for her and her family in Peru who are very proud of her,” Lopez said.

Nicole finished the game with 9 kills, 31 attempts and 9 digs to help her team secure another conference win.

Head coach Tanio Trifonov said he was very pleased by her performance.

“I feel that she definitely has potential as a freshman and has the drive to want to get better each and every day and that is one of the reasons that she is deserving of this award,” Trifonov said.

The Rattlers are currently 12-5 overall and 2-1 in the MEAC conference. FAMU’s volleyball team will be looking to get another conference win against North Carolina Central, on Oct. 7 at Mclendon-McDougald Gymnasium. The game is set to start at 7 p.m.