Russ Rose Then (2016): “Nia has been battling injuries that have certainly slowed down her progress. There are days where Nia looks like she is making great progress. Our need is for Nia to get herself together, but so much of that process is that she has to play to do it and the injury she sustained impacted her development in that area. Nia has exceptional physical talent and she just needs to get it worked out.”
2016 Season (Redshirt Sophomore)Highlights and Awards: Academic All-Big Ten Honoree.
Season Recap: Logged action in 14 matches with 20 sets played … posted 9 kills, 5 blocks and a dig in 2016 … charted a kill against Georgia Southern (8/27) … saw her next game of action against Siena (9/9), posting a kill … recorded a kill and a dig against Clemson (9/17) … totaled a kill and a block against Rutgers (10/8).
NCAA Tournament: Logged a kill and a block against LIU Brooklyn (12/2) … Recorded a season-best four kills and a season-high three blocks against Nebraska (12/9) in the NCAA round of 16.
Before Penn State: A 4-year starter at Immaculate Heart Academy … led her high school squad to 4 consecutive non-public state championship titles, picking up Bergen Record Player of the Year honors in 2012 and 2013 … earned Star Ledger Player of the Year accolades in 2011, 2012 and 2013 … earned Big North Conference All-State honors from 2010-13 … competed with the “Digs” club team …played on the USAV Girls’ Youth A2 team in 2012, serving as an alternate on the Youth National Team in 2013 … a 2013-14 Under Armour All-American … a Mizuno First Team All-American … 3-time New Jersey Gatorade Player of the Year from 2011-13.