GREENSBORO, N.C. – Freshman outside hitter Larissa Mendes has been named Atlantic Coast Conference Co-Freshman of the Week after leading No. 11 Georgia Tech (7-0) to three consecutive sweeps over the weekend, the league office announced on Monday.
The award marks the second recognition in as many weeks for Mendes as well as the second of her career.
En route to her honor, Mendes turned in yet another strong set of outings in her third week of collegiate action. The Brazilian finished second on the squad with 36 kills (4.00 k/s) at a solid .423 clip on the weekend while pitching in on the defensive end with 12 digs and four blocks (one solo, three assisted).
Mendes was instrumental in each of Tech’s triumphs, tallying double-digit kills in the latter two contests. After a well-rounded performance against South Alabama with six kills, six digs and three blocks (one solo, two assisted), Mendes came away with a team-high 14 kills at a scorching .619 clip over Stetson. The explosive freshman next led the unit with a career-high tying 16 kills and added five digs to propel the White and Gold over Florida A&M and tie the program’s fourth hottest start in program history.
Amongst the conference this season, Mendes now sits tied for third in kills per set (3.79) and points per set (4.33). Early in her career, she similarly ranks second in the league in career kills per set and fourth in career points per set with the same tallies.
Georgia Tech picks up its third weekly ACC honor following the third week of the season after totaling four a season ago, each awarded to decorated former outside hitter Julia Bergmann.
Up Next
Georgia Tech will make its home debut by hosting the Georgia Tech Classic, beginning with Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate against Georgia on Friday at 7 p.m. in McCamish Pavilion, presented by Delta. The White and Gold will also take on Howard on Saturday at 4 p.m. and San Diego on Sunday at 1 p.m. in O’Keefe Gymnasium.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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