Sun Athletes of the Week: Daniel Nilsmo and Sydney Venable

Thursday, Nov. 15, 2001 | 11:17 a.m.

Male Athlete of the Week: DANIEL NILSMO

School: Chaparral

Class: Senior

Sport: Soccer

Last week: Nilsmo, a Swedish exchange student, scored four goals in two games to lead the Cowboys to the 2001 4A state championship in Sparks over the weekend. The forward/midfielder tallied two goals in the first half of a 3-0 win over Reno in Friday's semifinal, then scored his team's first and last goals in a 5-3 victory over Bishop Gorman in Saturday's title matchup. "I've been waiting for him to explode, and I saw bits and pieces of it throughout the year," Chaparral coach Dan Schell said. "But when he scored our first two goals (Friday), that's what I'd been picturing in my mind and that set the tempo for us."

Female Athlete of the Week: SYDNEY VENABLE

School: Green Valley

Classes: Senior

Sport: Volleyball

Last week: Venable, the Gators' captain and a starting outside hitter, wrapped up her three-year varsity career with a 4A state championship, helping her team to wins over Las Vegas, Douglas and Silverado en route to the title. Venable's defense keyed Green Valley's run to the trophy, particularly in a three-game win over the Skyhawks in the finale. "She made some digs you would not believe," Gators coach Erin Hill said. "She played such smart volleyball, and there's no doubt that what she did for us off the court was as important as what she did on the court."