Cristina Pintilie named Northeast Conference Player of the Week

9/27/04 -- Senior Cristina Pintilie (Cluj Napoca, Romania) today was tabbed Northeast Conference Player of the Week for the 10th time in her career for Long Island.

Pintilie grabbed the award by virtue of another standout week in which she led LIU (10-4) to a 2-1 mark at the Pitt Classic. The reigning NEC Player of the Year was on a tear with 60 kills, a .386 hitting percentage, 39 digs, six block solos, eight block assists, five assists and two aces, earning a spot on the all-tournament team.

The 6-1 middle blocker opened the tournament with 15 kills and 20 digs in a 3-1 triumph Friday over Dayton. She played solidly against Pittsburgh on Saturday with 28 kills, 14 digs and a .426 hitting percentage in a tough 3-1 setback. Pintilie closed the day with 17 kills and a .415 hitting percentage in the Blackbirds’ 3-1 victory over Southern Illinois.

Pintilie leads the NEC with 4.20 kills per game, is tied for the top spot with a .399 hitting percentage, is third with 0.49 aces per game and sixth with 0.82 blocks per game.

LIU, winners in four of its last five matches, heads to the Hawk Challenge on Friday and Saturday to face Delaware State, St. John’s, Niagara and Maryland Eastern Shore.