Last Week’s Stats: 3.39 kills per set, 3.83 points per set, 0.33 blocks per set, 2.06 digs per set
Melendez garners NEC Player of the Week accolades for the seventh time since joining LIU’s roster from St. Francis Brooklyn for the 2023 campaign. The two-time All-NEC first teamer got her senior year off to a sensational start after she totaled a league-leading 61 kills, including the 1,000th of her career against Youngstown State on Sunday. During LIU’s four-match week, the Caguas, Puerto Rico native hit .202 while averaging 3.39 kills and 2.06 digs per set. In addition, the outside hitter, who was named to the UConn All-Tournament Team, had 18 kills in a pair of five-set defeats to Sacred Heart and Youngstown State. Adding 18 digs against the Penguins, Melendez turned the double-double trick again on Tuesday and led LIU past MAAC preseason favorite Quinnipiac with a 21-kill, 12-dig effort.