After sparking the UT Dallas volleyball team to three big wins last week, senior setter Niki Calverley has been recognized as the Division III National Player of the Week by the Sports Imports/American Volleyball Coaches Association.

Calverley is the first Comet ever to be chosen for the award. She was also named the American Southwest Conference (ASC) East Division Player of the Week for the second time this season.

Calverley, a native of nearby Wylie, dished out nearly 12 assists per set as the Comets knocked off three in-region foes.

She set a career high with 65 assists in UT Dallas’ five-game marathon win over Austin College.

The Comets moved up one spot to No. 22 in the national poll and remain the only ASC team in the Top 25.

UT Dallas returns to action this weekend as the Comets travel to Kerrville for the second ASC Crossover Challenge.

The Comets will face Howard Payne at 4:30 p.m. Friday and meet up with Sul Ross State (12 p.m.) and host Schreiner (5 p.m.) Saturday.

All games against the West Division teams count in the conference standings.