PERSICO, VANDERSTYNE EARN E8 HONORS

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (Oct. 9, 2006) -- Sophomore Laura Persico (pictured, far right) and freshman Carra Vanderstyne were honored this week as Empire 8 Conference Player and Rookie of the Week respectively for women's volleyball. The two were cited for the seven-day period that ended Oct. 8.

Persico, an outside hitter from Ravena, N.Y. and a graduate of Ravena-Coeysman-Selkirk High School, helped the Golden Flyers win four of five matches last week by amassing 68 kills while posting a hitting percentage of .338. She also produced 44 digs and 12 service aces. She was named Most Valuable Player of the Cardinal Classic at Plattsburgh as Nazareth won the team title.

Vanderstyne, an outside hitter from Victor, N.Y. and a graduate of Victor High School, totaled 45 kills and 53 digs in four matches last week as Nazareth improved its overall record to 9-14. She had a career-high 18 kills in Nazareth's four-game victory over Plattsburgh in the championship match of the Cardinal Classic. She also had a career-high 17 digs in an earlier tournament match against St. Lawrence.

Nazareth returns to action Wednesday for an Empire 8 Conference match at RIT at 7 p.m.