Sept. 3, 2001

LOGAN, Utah - Volleyball player Chelsi Neves has been named the first Utah State Athlete of the Week for the 2001-02 academic year it was announced on Monday. The weekly award is selected by a local media panel.

Neves, a senior setter from Otto, Wyo., earned the honor in a split vote over cross country runner Steve Prescott. Neves helped lead USU to a 2-1 mark on the week as the Aggies defeated Murray State and Arkansas before losing to 14th-ranked Colorado State at the University Park Holiday Inn Classic in Fort Collins, Colo.

Neves was named to the all-tournament team and had 12 digs against Colorado State and hit .467 against Murray State and .429 against Arkansas. She only had two attack errors in 11 games.

Last year the Sheridan Junior College transfer was a second-team all-Big West selection and set a school season record with 1,441 assists.

The USU volleyball team returns to action this weekend at a tournament hosted by Hawai'i as the Aggies face Hawaii, Cincinnati and Southern California beginning on Thursday.

Nominees From Other Sports Included:

Men's Cross Country - Steve Prescott... Finished second individually to lead USU to a first-place team finish at the Idaho State Invitational. Prescott's time of 19:49 was :15 behind the individual champion. USU was first of four teams.

Women's Cross Country - Shae Messersmith... Led USU's women at the Idaho State Invitational by placing sixth with a time of 11:54. The Aggie women were fourth of four teams in the race, but had three runners place in the top 10.

Football - Kevin Curtis... Playing in his first game at Utah State, the junior wide receiver caught 11 passes for 171 yards and one touchdown in USU's 23-19 loss at Utah. The 171 yards were the most in a debut by an Aggie player in school history. In addition his 171 yards were the second-most in a season-opener behind only Kevin Alexander's 183 yards vs. Arkansas State in 1995.

Soccer - Tracy Brady... Played in goal during USU's two season-opening losses to Northwestern (2-1) and to seventh-ranked Washington (4-1).