Nainima Racks Up Fourth NEC Rookie of the Week Nod

1/2/07 -- Long Island Long Island University guard Valerie Nainima (Suva, Fiji) has continued to accumulate conference accolades as the freshman picked up her fourth Choice Hotels Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week award. Nainima led the Blackbirds in scoring with 23 points in Long Island’s 80-73 loss at East Carolina on Dec. 29.

Nainima shot 9-for-22 from the field, including a three-pointer, against the Pirates. The Suva, Fiji native tied for a team-high with six rebounds and added a pair of assists. She is averaging 16.7 points per game, ranking her fourth in the NEC and tops among rookies.

The award was the fourth of the season for Nainima, who has alternated with Fairleigh Dickinson’s Christy Altamurano in the seven installments of the conference honor. This most recent recognition was for games played between Dec. 19 and Jan. 1, making Nainima the conference’s freshman of the fortnight.

Long Island kicks off the new year with a conference contest at Monmouth on Wednesday, Jan. 3 at 7:00 p.m.