Valerie Nainima Ties Record With Eighth Choice Hotels/Northeast Conference Rookie of the Week Award

2/5/07 -- Long Island University freshman Valerie Nainima (Suva, Fiji) was honored by the Northeast Conference for the eighth time this season, picking up her fourth consecutive Choice Hotels/NEC Rookie of the Week Award. Nainima, the catalyst for the red-hot Blackbirds, averaged 12.5 points last week as Long Island extended its program-record winning streak to 11 games.

In the Blackbirds’ 57-48 win at Sacred Heart on Jan. 29, the 5-foot-5 guard netted 14 points despite being limited to just 23 minutes due to early foul trouble. Nainima shot a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the three-point arc and added four steals and four assists to help give Long Island sole possession of first place in the NEC.

She followed that performance with an 11-point effort in the Blackbirds’ 59-47 home win over Wagner on Feb. 3. Nainima added two rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.

The eighth award ties Nainima with former Blackbird Kim Mac Millan for the most in conference history.

Long Island will host Monmouth on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Wellness, Recreation and Athletic Center. Tip-off is slated for 2:00 p.m.