SARASOTA, Fla. – New College of Florida senior Soraya Nacero has been named the Sun Conference Defender of the Week after helping the No. 23 Mighty Banyans rally from a 2-1 deficit to defeat Ave Maria in five sets Saturday.

The honor is Nacero's first career Defender of the Week award and third weekly conference recognition overall. She earned Attacker of the Week honors earlier this season and once last season.

Playing from her outside hitter position, Nacero recorded an NCF career-high 36 digs and two assisted blocks as the Mighty Banyans won the final two sets to complete a regular-season series sweep of the Gyrenes. She averaged 7.2 digs per set and added four service aces, three kills and an assist.

Nacero's 36 digs surpassed her previous season high of 28 at Southeastern on Sept. 9. Saturday marked her return to action after missing Monday's match at Florida College while recovering from an injury.

Through 17 appearances, Nacero has totaled 210 digs, 202 kills, 53 service aces and 14 blocks across 65 sets. She is averaging 3.23 digs and 3.11 kills per set while hitting .220.

Nacero and the Mighty Banyans return home Wednesday to host No. 15 Southeastern at 4:15 p.m.