Irvine, CA—The Big West announced yesterday that UC Riverside libero Nicole Rodriguez is the conference Volleyball Freshman of the Week for matches played from November 13-19. It is the second Freshman of the Week award for the Maranatha High School graduate.

(View UC Riverside's list of all-time Big West Volleyball Athlete of the Week honorees)

The Montebello, California native registered a combined 33 digs against Central Coast foes Cal Poly and UC Santa Barbara, giving her the Highlander single-season mark for freshmen at 391 on the year.
 
Rodriguez had 20 digs against Big West leader Cal Poly, helping the Highlanders take a set before ultimately succumbing in four to the Mustangs. It was her fifth 20-dig match of the season. She also chipped in four aces.
 
Rodriguez added 13 digs to go along with four assists and an ace in a sweep of UC Santa Barbara. The Highlanders improved to 10-17 on the year with the victory, giving the program 10 wins for just the second time in the last 12 years.

UC Riverside closes out its 2017 season this evening in a 7 pm PT home match against CSUN.