Last Week’s Stats: 4.14 points per set, 3.43 digs per set, 3.14 kills per set, 0.71 service aces per set, 0.43 blocks per set
The NEC/Molten Rookie of the Week award continues to be dominated by Samardzija, as the Knights’ outside hitter garners the recognition for the second-straight week and the fourth time this season. The Novi Sad, Serbia native turned in two stellar — and stat-stuffing — performances to help lead FDU to a 3-0 win on Friday and a 3-1 triumph on Saturday against Mercyhurst in both teams’ NEC openers this past weekend. In the weekend opener, Samardzija set the tone by delivering eight kills, three service aces, 11 digs and two blocks. The following day, she posted her fifth double-double of the season after she notched 14 kills and 13 digs over the four-set stretch. Samardzija continues to rank among the league’s leaders in several categories. She is seventh in kills per set (2.52), second in digs per set (3.02) and sixth in points per set (3.12).