Aug. 22, 2012

ST. LOUIS, Mo. - For the second time in as many days, Missouri State women's soccer senior defender Nia Williams has earned an award from the Missouri Valley Conference. Williams received the initial MVC Scholar-Athlete of the Week award of the year, the league office announced Wednesday. It is her first such career honor, but was a first-team MVC Academic All-Conference selection in 2011.

A senior from Roeland Park, Kan., Williams was honored as this week's MVC Defensive Player of the Week after she helped the Bears' backline allow just a single goal over the two matches this past weekend. She continued her impressive play and leadership in a pair of solid outings this weekend. She was part of a backline that allowed UALR just a single shot in Friday night's season-opening victory. Additionally, Williams added an assist, serving a perfectly placed corner kick onto the foot of Michelle Sommer for the Bears' second goal of the night on Friday. On Sunday, she had one of the Bears' two shots on goal against UNT. For the weekend, Williams helped the MSU defense allow just one goal and only five shots on net over the two matches.

To qualify for Missouri Valley Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Week laurels, student-athletes must carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.20, completed at least one academic year at a Valley institution and must be at least a sophomore in academic standing. Redshirt freshmen and first-year junior college transfers are not eligible. In addition to the academic qualifications, student-athletes will be evaluated on their athletic performance for a one-week period.

Williams and the Bears travel to Arkansas to take on the Razorbacks at 7:00 p.m. this evening. Missouri State will return to Plaster Field to play Nebraska-Omaha next Friday (Aug. 24) at 6:00 p.m. before setting out on a four-game road swing beginning Sunday (Aug. 26) at Indiana.