GREENVILLE, SC – After directing the Patriot defense with 6.43 digs per set, Francis Marion University freshman Alyssa Whiteside has been selected as the Conference Carolinas volleyball Libero of the Week for the period of Sept. 14-20.

A native of Piedmont, South Carolina, Whiteside tallied 45 digs while boasting a .944 reception percentage with just two errors on 36 attempts, as the Patriots posted a 1-1 mark. On Friday night, Whiteside led the defensive effort with a season-high 27 digs while adding three assists in a four-set match versus Emmanuel. Against Lees-McRae on Saturday, she produced 18 digs, three assists, and two aces in a 3-0 sweep.

This season, Whiteside paces Francis Marion with 146 digs (3.56 per set) and has achieved double-digit digs in eight straight matches.

The Patriots return to the Smith University Center on Tuesday, Sept. 22, to face rival UNC Pembroke at 6 p.m. on 7 Brew Coffee Gift Card Giveaway Night. FMU will continue conference play on the road this weekend versus Erskine College and Belmont Abbey College.

Whiteside is a product of Powdersville High School and is majoring in nursing.