Nielsen earns IIAC Athlete of the Week honor again

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – As another week comes to a close, another award is added to Kate Nielsen's ever-expanding resume.

A senior from Urbandale, Iowa, Nielsen took home IIAC Athlete and Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors for the second week in a row and fourth time in eight tries this season for the period ending Sunday, Jan. 13.

Nielsen – a 5-11 forward who played her prep basketball at Johnston – averaged 21.5 points and 10 rebounds as 11th-ranked Simpson improved to 13-1 overall and 3-0 in the IIAC with wins over Luther (71-62 on Jan. 9) and Wartburg (66-57 on Jan. 12).

She scored 21 points on 7-of-16 shooting, pulled down 12 rebounds, blocked four shots and had six steals in the win against the Norse for her fourth consecutive double-double. Against Wartburg, she scored 22 points and had nine rebounds, coming within one rebound of extending her streak of double-doubles to five.

Nielsen and the Storm host Loras on Wednesday, Jan. 16.