CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 31, 2022) - The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) has announced its Player of the Week recipients for August 31, and Region 8 nabbed two volleyball Player of the Week honors.

Florida SouthWestern State College's Roberta Purashaj was named the Division I Offensive Player of the Week while Lake-Sumter State College's Alyssa Guarino was named the Division II Defensive Player of the Week.

Purashaj, a freshman setter from Milano, Italy, averaged 11.7 assists over 13 sets for the Bucs, who picked up four wins, including three against nationally-ranked opponents, during the Battle at the Beach Tournament, where she was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

In her collegiate debut, Purashaj recorded a school-record 60 assists (and 17 digs) vs. Trinity Valley. She finished the weekend with 42 assists against top-ranked and two-time defending national champion Iowa Western. 

Purashaj was named Region 8 Division I Setter of the Week on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Purashaj was also named the Two-Year College National Player of the Week by the American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA).

Guarino, a freshman defensive specialist from New Smyrna Beach, Fla., averaged 5.1 digs over 13 sets for the Lakehawks. 

She recorded 28 digs vs. Santa Fe and 17 digs in a 3-0 win over nationally-ranked Cape Fear. 

Guarino was named Region 8 Division II Defensive Player of the Week on Tuesday.