Just before her grand homecoming back to the state of Ohio, freshman Nicole Fawcett was able to pick up another honor that will make conversations with friends and family that much longer.
On Monday, Fawcett was named Big Ten Player of the Week, becoming the first freshman in the history of the Penn State women's volleyball program to receive that award.
All day today and Wednesday, Fawcett probably won't stop hearing about it when she gets on Ohio State's campus, less than an hour away from her hometown of Zanesfield, Ohio. Still, the award recipient's modesty won't be tainted.
"It's definitely a compliment; it's nice to be noticed," Fawcett said. "But also I realize that it's a team type of award because without them, I wouldn't have even been able to have a chance."
Last weekend, Fawcett was key to helping the Nittany Lions win two conference matches over Illinois and then-No. 19 Purdue. Against the Illini on Friday, Fawcett led the Penn State squad with 19 kills. She then followed that performance with a 22 kill, .311 hitting percentage match versus the Boilermakers.
Fawcett finished the weekend with a 5.12 kills per game average, well above her team-leading 4.41 kill average that is fourth in the Big Ten. After competing against Illinois senior Rachael VanMeter, who leads the conference in kills, and a talented Purdue team that took the No. 4 Lions to five games, Fawcett has gained an appreciation for how hard it is to be a player of the week honoree.
"Seeing all of the good players, knowing that you had to go up against that on a regular basis, it's definitely a compliment," Fawcett said.
Russ Rose knows the same. In his 27 years as Penn State head coach, Rose has played a lot of freshman early. Senior setter Sam Tortorello, junior opposite hitter Cassy Salyer and sophomore outside hitter Kate Price were all Big Ten Freshman of the Year in their inaugural seasons. But none were ever Big Ten Player of the Week.
But Rose, like Fawcett, does not put a lot of emphasis on individual awards. Rose, who is a six-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, knows the person receiving the award isn't the only person who succeeded.
"Player awards in a team sport are like coaching awards," Rose said. "They're nice to be recognized, but you don't really have the energy to thank all the people that really make it possible."
Game plan and execution has a lot to do with Fawcett's success.
"Nicole would not have the ability to have the success she had if we didn't pass well enough to hold the middle and give her some opportunities to swing one-on-one," Rose said. "I'm also able to recognize that it's a long season, and I'm not ready to hand out any awards here in practice."
This is still a pin that Fawcett can put on her shoulder. When Penn State travels to Columbus for its game against No. 18 Ohio State on Wednesday, Fawcett will be visiting more than just relatives. She is friendly with three Buckeye sophomores: Ami Stevens, Nicole Britenriker and Danielle Meyer.
Fawcett even roomed with Stevens during their time with the United States Junior National Team in 2004. Over the summer, Fawcett got to know Britenriker and Meyer during ABCD all-star camp events.
Luckily for the Lions, her new friends' choice in colleges didn't rub off on Fawcett. Despite her close proximity to the Ohio State campus, Fawcett never really considered becoming a Buckeye.
"No, I never liked the campus, I've never been a fan of the Ohio State campus," Fawcett said. "I went to the volleyball games, but I never actually took a tour around campus, I've never gone on a visit or anything."
Instead, Fawcett will bring a good-sized cheering section to the St. John Arena.
"My whole family is going to get a chance to see me play," Fawcett said. "It's definitely nice to be back in my home state."
Even if the rest of the arena dressed in red isn't on her side. Because that blip of blue in the stands will tell her enough times how she's their precious little Lion.
