NORFOLK, Va. – Norfolk State University libero Nicole Rodriguez was voted to the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID) All-State Volleyball First Team, the organization announced on Thursday.

Rodriguez led the MEAC with an average of 5.0 digs per set in 2021, earning second-team All-MEAC honors. She stepped up her play in conference-only matches, with an average of 5.17 digs per set which led all MEAC players. She recorded at least 20 digs in nearly half of NSU's matches (12 of 26) with a career high of 29 in a four-set match with North Carolina Central earlier this month. The 29 digs are tied for fifth-most in a match in school history.

Rodriguez, a two-time MEAC Defensive Player of the Week honoree this year, is the first Spartan to earn all-state first or second-team honors since Charlotte Armstead was a first-team pick in 2012.