LAKELAND, Fla. -Â Nako Sasaki, a sophomore from Fukushima, Japan, and a member of the Florida Southern College volleyball team, has been named the Sunshine State Conference Defensive Player of the Week for the period of September 22 through September 28. This marks her second career Defensive Player of the Week honor in the conference, with her first being awarded back on September 8. Sasaki is the first student-athlete to earn this distinction twice in the current season.
During the week, Sasaki played a pivotal role in the Moccasins' defensive lineup as the team recorded a 1-1 record. The week included a 3-0 sweep over Saint Leo on the road, followed by a 3-0 defeat against the third-ranked Tampa Spartans at home. Florida Southern College maintains a perfect 7-0 record against unranked opponents this season.
Sasaki continues to lead the conference in digs per set and is ranked 15th nationally in the same category. Over the course of the week, she averaged 6.50 digs per set, elevating her season average to 5.38 digs per set. Her performance included an impressive 22 digs, seven assists, and two service aces in the victory over Saint Leo. Against Tampa, she contributed 17 digs and one assist, while maintaining a perfect 22-of-22 record on serve receptions throughout the week.
Sasaki and the rest of the Mocs will next be in action at Nova Southeastern at Rick Case Arena in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The match is set for Friday, Oct. 3 at 7 p.m.
