March 19, 2008

DeKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois softball senior third baseman Michelle Nendza (Palos Park, Ill./Lemont Mt. Assisi) was selected as the Mid-American Conference Player of the Week for her outstanding performance over eight games during the week of March 10.

"Michelle has consistently performed at the plate since her first at bat of the season," said NIU head coach Lindsay Chouinard. "The trust and belief she has in her preparation is evident in her results. I am very proud of Michelle and could not agree more with her receiving this honor."

Nendza garnered the honor for the first time in her career with six extra base hits, including four home runs, and nine runs batted in. She continues to lead the offensive charge for the Huskies as she recorded a .455 clip for the week, driving in nine of NIU's 14 runs with a 1.091 slugging percentage. She recorded both runs batted in with a double against Pac 10 foe Oregon as well as a towering home run to straight away center against No. 20 Washington. Nendza hit more home runs this week (4) than she did all of last season (3). Her season average stands at a .474 mark with five home runs, 13 runs batted in and eight runs scored.

Next up for NIU is a trip to Iowa City, Iowa where the Huskies (5-9) will match up with Western Illinois (3-14) at 12 p.m. CT and Iowa (16-6) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 22.

-NIU-