49er of the week: Nichelle Burton

Nichelle Burton has always been recognized as a fabulous performer, but the two-time All-American outside hitter for Cal State Long Beach's women's volleyball team has an even greater responsibility this year.

Burton, our 49er athlete of the week, is the team's captain and she is expected to be a leader for some of the team's younger players.

"My role is to basically step up and be the leader," Burton said, "and to relieve some of the pressure of the freshmen so they don't feel pressured to carry a big portion of the load."

So for this season, Burton has done just that. After six matches, she leads the team with 105 kills and 67 digs.

Burton has already compiled a large list of honors while playing for the 49ers. She was voted on the 1992 and 1993 First Team All-Big West and was an AVCA First Team All-American last season.

During CSULB'S fall 1993 championship season, Burton led the team with 340 digs and was second with 425 kills and a .367 hitting percentage.

In addition, Burton was the Big West Conference Player of the Week three times and was the AVCA National Player of the Week once. Burton is a candidate for All-American this season.

Besides the accomplishments Burton has compiled with the 49ers, she was a member of the U.S. National "B" Team in the summer, 1993 and was a participant of the 1994 Goodwill Games in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Burton suspects that her responsibilities will diminish as the season progresses.

"I don't feel that I will have to do as much by late in the season," Burton said. "People know their different responsibilities, and we will be pretty much gelled by that point."

But when the game is on the line?

"I want the ball to come to me," Burton said.