ORLANDO – UCF middle blocker Nerissa Moravec was tabbed as The American's defensive player of the week on Monday after leading the Knights to another undefeated weekend, moving UCF to 5-0 on the season. McKenna Melville was also named to the weekly honor roll for her efforts in the victories.
The Defensive Player of the Week award marks Moravec's first in her five-year career with the Knights. The honor comes a week after she was named to the league's honor roll for her performance in UCF's opening week.
"Nerissa finally got the recognition she deserves for her presence at the net," said UCF head coach Todd Dagenais. "Last season, [Moravec] was among the top ten blockers in the nation, and she has picked up right where she left off. She has the ability to change the game at the net and I am so proud of her for finally receiving the recognition that she could have received so many times in her career."
Defensively, Moravec continued her strong start to the 2020-21 campaign over the weekend, notching 13 block assists to go along with 12 kills. On Saturday alone, she had eight block assists and seven kills, both season highs.
Moravec's excellence to begin the season has not come as a surprise. In 2019, she was a key member of a UCF defense that finished sixth nationally in blocks per set (2.91). Among individuals, Moravec was 27th in the nation in blocks per set (1.32)
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Moravec's game is also well-rounded as she is fifth on the team in kills. She now has 25 kills from the middle position on the year and is hitting at a solid .460 clip.
UCF Junior McKenna Melville also received some recognition from the conference for her standout weekend performance, being named to the conference honor roll.
As per usual, the UCF offense ran through Melville over their 2-0 weekend. Melville turned in a career day in the Saturday victory, hitting for 26 kills on 66 total attacks, both season highs. Her 66 total attacks are the most she has ever had in a four-set contest. On the year now, Melville averages 5.05 kills per set and a .352 hitting percentage.
Melville's honor roll nod comes a week after she was named the league's Offensive Player of the Week.
UP NEXT
The Knights will make a quick trip to Jacksonville, Fla. for a match with Jacksonville University on Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 6:00 p.m. UCF will then take some time off before traveling to Philadelphia for two conference matches against the Temple Owls, taking place on Thursday, Feb. 18 and Friday, Feb. 19. Both matches will be at 5:00 p.m.
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