JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman middle blocker Nikki James (Cookeville, Tenn.) is the NCAA D-II leader in blocks per set in this week's NCAA statistics.
James is averaging 1.74 blocks per set for the 10-3 (4-3 SAC) Lady Eagles. She is third nationally with 27 solo blocks, and had seven blocks in Tuesday night's win at Mars Hill, 3-2. For the year, she has 82 total blocks.
As a team, Carson-Newman is averaging 2.79 blocks per set, which is third nationally.
C-N libero Angelle Hayes (Brentwood, Tenn.) is also listed in this week's statistics. She is 17th nationally with 5.4 digs per set.
Carson-Newman is riding a three-game win streak in South Atlantic Conference play and will host a pair of conference matches this weekend. It will host Brevard College on Friday afternoon at 5 p.m. and Lenoir-Rhyne University on Saturday at 2 p.m. Both matches are in Holt Fieldhouse.
Carson-Newman head coach Shannon Mincey on Nikki James:
"Nikki reads well and is a huge success to our offense with her blocking capabilities. She ended her freshman year 5th in the nation and this is a goal of hers. She works so hard during practice at her blocking abilities and knows how important her role is on our team for that skill…There are many great players out there so we are going to enjoy this success for the week and hope Nikki can continue to work hard to maintain such a neat recognition."
