Okeechobee High School senior Penelope Van Eman is this week’s Big Lake Athlete of the Week for her performance with the Lady Brahman varsity volleyball team.

Van Eman had six kills in Okeechobee’s 3-0 win over Lake Placid on Aug. 22. The Lady Brahmans’ victory in the season opener is their third straight win over Lake Placid since last season.

Van Eman is one of six seniors on the team this year, including Sydney Matthews, Lexi Thomas, Mamie Mccoy, Jillian Durfee, and Isabelle Veloz. Matthews and Van Eman led the Lady Brahmans in socring last season as juniors. Those six seniors are back with the team this year after helping the Lady Brahmans earn a district runners-up trophy and advance to the regional semifinal last season.

In the regional quarterfinal Van Eman had a team leading 10 kills against American Heritage, followed by Matthews who had 9. Okeechobee won that game 3-1, advancing to the regional semifinal where they were knocked out by their district rival Jensen Beach.

Over the summer Van Eman verbally committed to continue her education and play volleyball at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina.

“A special thank you to my parents and family for their love and support throughout the years,” said Van Eman after announcing her commitment to CSU. “I would also like to thank coach Abbey, coach Rogers, coach Carrie, coach Jerry, and all the other coaches who have helped me throughout the years.”

If you have someone you’d like to nominate for Big Lake Athlete of the Week, email Lake Okeechobee News sports reporter Richard Marion at rmarion@iniusa.org or visit our Athlete of the Week nomination page at southcentralfloridalife.com/athlete.