Feb. 23, 2009

GREENSBORO, N.C. – Virginia’s designated player Nicole Koren and North Carolina hurler Lisa Norris have been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week for the third week of the season. Koren hit .462 on the week with a home run and a game winning hit. Norris went 3-0 on the weekend and led the Tar Heels in the circle.

Koren, redshirt sophomore from Warminster, Pa., earned her first league honor of her career. She hit .462 at the Gamecock Invitational last weekend as Virginia went 3-1 in the weekend. She hit 6-of-13 including a 4-for-4 day against Sacred Heart. Her RBI double against North Florida lifted the Cavaliers to their 1-0 win. She also tallied a home run and seven RBI in the four games.

Norris, a senior from Snellville, Ga. earns her third career pitcher of the week honor and the fourth ACC weekly recognition of her career. She posted her fourth career no-hitter on Friday against Cal State Fullerton at the Palm Springs Classic. She fanned 12 in the 5-0 victory. She also recorded wins in two other games, pitching 14.0 total innings, allowing six hits and four runs, one earned over the span. She struck out 28 and held opposing batters to a .092 batting average.

North Carolina will host UNC Greensboro on Wednesday before traveling to the Tennessee Classic in Knoxville, Tenn. Virginia will open the home portion of the schedule this weekend against George Washington beginning on Saturday at 1 p.m.