Nalanie Neal Scoops Up Big West Rookie of the Week Honors
8/31/2026 3:18:00 PM | Women's Volleyball
RIVERSIDE, CA--- Nalanie Neal of the California Baptist University women's volleyball team announced her presence early as the true freshman has earned the Big West Women's Volleyball Rookie of the Week.
Neal becomes the first Big West award winner in program history for CBU Volleyball after registering 27 kills in two matches on the opening weekend in New Mexico.
The Wytheville, Virginia, native got the nod at outside hitter for her collegiate debut and would make the most of it with a game-high 17 kills to pair with nine digs and three blocks in a four-set victory over New Mexico on Friday night. The 17 kills were the most in a collegiate debut in CBU program history. Neal followed up that performance with a double-double against New Mexico State in just three sets, with 10 kills and 11 digs, both of which led the Lancers.
Neal had the sixth most kills of any Big West player on opening weekend and the most among the freshmen in the conference, and also had the fifth most overall points in the conference.
Neal and the Lancers are back in action this Thursday as they head to Corvallis, Oregon, to compete in the Asics Invitational hosted by Oregon State.
