Furman's Palazzo Named Volleyball Athlete of the Month

Nov. 9, 2006

Greenville, S.C. - Furman's Nicole Palazzo was named the Southern Conference Volleyball Athlete of the Month, announced by the conference office on Thursday morning. This marks the second player of the month award for Palazzo, who also earned the league honor for September.

Palazzo tied a Southern Conference record last month after recording 17 total blocks in Furman's 3-2 loss to College of Charleston on October 28. The 17 total blocks ranks as the seventh-highest total in NCAA history and ties the middle blocker for second-place in the NCAA in total blocks during the rally-scoring era (2001-present).

The sophomore from Grayson, Ga. finished the month with 111 kills and 53 total blocks leading the Lady Paladins to a 7-2 record in October. She was named the Volleyball Athlete of the Month for September and the Molten Volleyball Player of the Week for the weeks of October 2 and 30.

Palazzo currently leads the Southern Conference in hitting percentage (.381) and total blocks per game (1.47). In addition, Palazzo ranks tenth in the league in points per game (a combination of kills, total blocks, and service aces) with 3.79 points per game.

Palazzo also tops the league rankings in conference action, leading the SoCon in hitting percentage (.397) and total blocks per game (1.63), as well as ranking sixth in points per game (4.32).

The Paladins return to action this weekend as Furman is on the road at Chattanooga and at Western Carolina on Sunday. Furman begins play in the Southern Conference Championships next weekend.