Side Out with Jessica Nelson

2007 (R-Jr.): Made a successful return to the lineup, after missing the 2006 campaign, starting 35 of the Lady Flames’ 36 matches … paced the squad in both kills (405) and digs (524) … ranked sixth in the Big South (first among non-liberos) with 4.13 digs per game and was eighth with 3.19 kills per game … her 19 double-doubles (kills and digs) were the second-most of any conference player … set a Liberty rally-scoring record with 524 digs and ranks third on the program’s overall single-season digs list … dig total was the highest by a Liberty player since 1992 … starred at the Villanova Classic (9/14-15), making the all-tournament team and helping the Lady Flames win three of four matches on the weekend … recorded a career-high seven blocks versus host Villanova (9/14) … contributed a season-best 20 kills and a career-high 33 digs to Liberty’s come-from-behind triumph over William & Mary, the following day … became the only Big South player to notch a 20-kill, 30-dig performance in 2007 … came up with a match-high 27 digs in 3-0 sweep of Winthrop in Big South Championship match (11/17), to go along with a .320 attack percentage, 11 kills and four blocks … performance helped her make the Big South Championship All-Tournament team …hit .400 or higher five times, highlighted by a career-best .591 (15 K, 2 E, 22 TA) outing versus North Carolina Central (11/6) … made first appearance on the Big South All-Academic team and earned inclusion on fourth Big South Presidential Honor Roll.

2006 (Jr.): Was redshirted after sitting out the season with a leg injury … named to the Big South Presidential Honor Roll.

2005 (So.): Played in all 31 matches and started 29 times at outside hitter … led Liberty in kills (393) and service aces (34) and ranked second on squad with 313 digs … ranked fifth in conference with 3.61 kills per game … was named the MVP of the William & Mary Invitational (9/9-10) after recording a trio of double-doubles and helping Liberty go 3-1 … totaled 17 kills and a season-best 24 digs in match against William & Mary (9/10) … posted 17 kills and a career-high four service aces versus High Point (9/30) … provided career-high and team season-high 22 kills and 14 digs in win at Charleston Southern (10/7) … celebrated birthday with 21 kills and 13 digs versus UNC Asheville (10/14) … notched 20 kills, 14 digs and four blocks versus Charleston Southern (10/21) … had 16 kills on season-best .324 attack percentage (16 K, 5 A, 34 TA) and 15 digs in final home match against Radford (11/11) … recorded 14 total double-doubles (kills and digs) … included on Big South Presidential Honor Roll.

2004 (Fr.): Appeared in six matches during first season at Liberty … collected six kills, two digs and one block assist at UNC Greensboro (11/9) … had 16 kills, eight digs, one block assist and one service ace versus Radford (11/13) … made Big South Presidential Honor Roll.

Prep: A three-year letterwinner at CAJ … earned one letter at Faith Academy … 2002 CAJ Female Athlete of the Year … four-year Far East & League All-Star and All-Tournament selection … two-time tournament MVP … team MVP after sophomore, junior and senior seasons … also four-year letterwinner in basketball and two-year letterwinner in track and field …2000-01 league champion in 200 meters, high jump and high hurdles … 2001-02 league champion in 200 meters, 400 meters and high jump … league record holder in high jump.

Personal: Daughter of John and Kathleen Nelson … older sister, Kirsten, played volleyball for Houghton College and was the AMC North Division Player of the Year in 2002, 2003 and 2004 … graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in family and child development … currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in human services (marriage and family specialization) … birthday is on Oct. 14.