Three Sharks Earn SSC Player of the Week Honors

MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference released its Player of the Week honors for the week ending on Nov. 14. Nova Southeastern had three student-athletes honored, as Madison CookLuca Alessandrini, and Celina Marquez were recognized.  

Cook, a redshirt-sophomore from Oviedo, Fla., earns her fourth Sunshine State Conference Setter of the Week award of the 2021 season. Cook recorded 59-assists across two league matches on the week, posting a game-high 37 assists in a five-set loss against No. 9 Tampa. The setter averaged 7.38 assists-per-set. Cook also earned SSC Setter of the Week honors on 9/6, 9/7, and 10/11.  

Alessandrini earns his first Swimmer of the Week award after recording four individual victories in a pair of dual meets for the Sharks. The Italian posted 1000 Free (9:28.26) and 500 Free (4:34.9) wins against Lynn. The freshman repeated against St. Thomas, winning 1000 Free (9:15.84) and 500 Free (4:29.74). Alessandrini’s 1000 Free times were NCAA “B” cuts, while his 500 Free effort against St. Thomas also eclipsed the NCAA provisional time. 

Marquez won three individual events and helped lead the Sharks to three relay victories on her way to her first SSC Swimmer of the Week honor of her NSU career. The El Salvadoran posted 100 Back wins (55.26 & 55.35) in dual meets against Lynn and St. Thomas. Marquez made program-history, breaking the Nova Southeastern record in the 200 Back with a time of 1:56.93, just 0.03 off the conference record. The junior’s 200 Back time was also an NCAA “A” cut time, while both of her 100 Back times were NCAA provisional cuts. 

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