MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference announced the Players of the Week for the week of October 10-16, on Monday afternoon. Nova Southeastern Sharks student-athletes Thomas Flower (Men’s Swimming), Luana Grabias (Women’s Soccer), Emilia Ronningdal (Women’s Swimming), and Stefane Rosa (Women’s Soccer) earned honors following their performances over the weekend.
Nova Southeastern Sunshine State Conference Players of the Week awards are presented by Courtyard Marriot.
Flower, earning the second Swimmer of the Week honor in his career, had a great day in the water this past weekend. The sophomore started his day with an impressive win in the 200 free (1:39.40), he then came back and earned a victory in the 100 free (45.60), and sealed the day with a win in the 100 IM (51.91). His 200 free time was also a season-best and currently ranks third in NCAA Division II. Flower’s outstanding weekend helped drive the Sharks to a 170.5 to 91.5 victory over Rollins, assisting NSU to an 11th-place team ranking in Division II.
Grabias earned her second Offensive Player of the Week honor this season, following an array of goals against Saint Leo. She made her presence felt, scoring three goals to lead NSU to a 4-1 victory. The hat trick was the first of her career and the first for Nova this season. In a game that was deadlocked at zero, Grabias broke the tie with an impressive goal to set the tempo for the Sharks. She was just getting started, scoring another quick goal five minutes into the second half to give Nova a 2-0 lead, Grabias then completed her hat trick with a phenomenal goal in the 84′ thanks to an assist by Dejah Holman. Grabias’s offensive attack has helped NSU capture first place in the conference.
Ronningdal earned her first Swimmer of the Week honor, after a sensational performance in the water. Ronningdal stuffed the stat sheet with two stellar victories and a second-place finish in the 100 Free (52.37), 100 IM (58.46), and the 100-breaststroke (1:05.08) respectively. Ronningdal’s 100 free time not only leads the team but is also a personal best. She now leads the team in two separate events and her total points rank her sixth in all of NCAA Division II, helping Nova maintain a number one team ranking in Division II.
Rosa collects her third Defensive Player of the Week honor this season. The junior accumulated 10 saves last week across two conference games, with nine coming against Barry. Her nine saves were the second most saves she had in a single game this season. Despite a total of 27 shots being taken over the past two games by opposing teams, Rosa has only allowed two goals with one coming from a penalty kick. Her outstanding goal-keeping performance helped propel the Sharks into sole possession of first place in the Sunshine State Conference.
To stay up-to-date on Sharks athletics, be sure to follow on Instagram and Twitter at NSUSharks.
