FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Luicelena Perez of the No. 15 Nova Southeastern women's tennis team was named Sunshine State Conference athlete of the week for her performance against No. 14 Valdosta State and College of Coastal Georgia last weekend. The nomination is the first as a Shark for the graduate transfer from the University of Alabama.
 
Perez went 2-0 in No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles over the weekend as the Sharks split their two matches. Perez defeated Bea Morales Hernandez of Valdosta State, 6-2, 6-2, and dominated Daniella Caruso of College of Coastal Georgia, 6-0, 6-0, in No. 1 singles. Teamed up in No. 1 doubles with Isabella Lowrey, they defeated Bea Morales Hernandez and Anke Poncelet of Valdosta State, 8-5, and took down Daniella Caruso and Samantha Sepe of College of Coastal Georgia, 8-2. Perez is now 4-0 in the No. 1 singles slot and has won three straight doubles matches improving her record with Isabella Lowrey to 3-1.
 
"I'm proud of LP [Perez] for the work ethic she puts in and how hard she competes," said first-year head coach Doug Neagle. "She is always pushing herself and her teammates to get better. She has played a big role for us at the No. 1 singles and doubles position and she continues to improve."
 
The Sharks continue their season this weekend facing a tough challenge as they travel to Saint Leo, Fla. to play the 2016 South Regional Champions, National Semi-Finalist and No. 4 ranked Lions on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and then play the University of Tampa Spartans on Sunday at 11:00 a.m.