Region 8 Player of the Week Awards: August 29, 2023

The FCSAA would like to congratulate all student-athletes who are recognized as part of our Player of the Week Awards. Weekly honorees are automatically submitted for NJCAA Player of the Week consideration on behalf of the FCSAA.

DI Volleyball Player of the Week | DI Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week | DI Volleyball Setter of the Week | DII Volleyball Player of the Week | DII Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week | DII Volleyball Setter of the Week 


DI Volleyball Player of the Week

Ava Tevdoradze

Ana Tevdoradze, Miami Dade
So. | OH
Tbilisi, Georgia

  • Averaged 5.3 kills and 2.3 digs over 12 sets
  • Committed only 11 errors in 124 total attempts for a .419 hitting percentage
  • Also averaged 0.5 service aces and 0.2 blocks per set
  • Posted double-digit kills in each match, capped by a 19-kill, 11-dig double-double vs. Jefferson
  • Led the Sharks to a 4-0 start to the season

Other nominees: Olivia Melton, Indian River State; Alondra Alcaron, Florida SouthWestern; Emma Testi, Daytona State; Sofia Kamke, Eastern Florida State; Carolina Cruz, Polk State


DI Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week

Mia Martinez

Mia Martinez, Miami Dade
Fr. | DS
Catano, P.R. 

  • Averaged 6.4 digs over 10 sets
  • Posted 20+ digs in each of her three matches
  • After a 23-dig effort vs. Southern Idaho, she recorded 21 vs. Missouri State-West Plains and 20 vs. Jefferson

Other nominees: Stella Lukaszuk, Indian River State; Izzy Collier, Florida SouthWestern; Cora Hamilton, Daytona State; Irene Mostardini, Polk State


DI Volleyball Setter of the Week

Roberta Purashaj

Roberta Purashaj, Florida SouthWestern
So. | S
Milano, Italy

  • Averaged 10.9 assists over 22 sets
  • Also averaged 0.5 kills, 2.7 assists and 0.6 blocks
  • Named MVP of the Adventures in Paradise Battle at the Beach, where she averaged 11.0 assists in ten sets, leading the Bucs to four wins in as many matches, including three against nationally-ranked opponents, and an 8-0 start to the season overall
  • Recorded a season-high 36 assists vs. Monroe

Other nominees: Valeria Ivanova, Indian River State; Luiza Cruz, Miami Dade; Carleiny Morrilo, Polk State


DII Volleyball Player of the Week

Anyaliz Rodriguez

Anyaliz Rodriguez, Pensacola State
So. | OH
Milton, Fla.

  • Averaged 3.9 kills and 3.5 digs over 20 sets
  • Led the Pirates to five wins in six matches, recording four double-doubles in the process
  • Posted 20 kills and 11 digs in a straight-set win vs. Lurleen B. Wallace and 20 kills and 10 digs in straight-set victory vs. Santa Fe

Other nominees: Izzy Denton, Gulf Coast State; Elizabeth McDonald, Pasco-Hernando State; Kaylee Hunt, Lake-Sumter State; Aleksandra Wrobel, State College of Florida


DII Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week

Izzy Denton

Izzy Denton, Gulf Coast State
So. | DS
Houston, Texas 

  • Averaged 5.4 digs over 20 sets
  • Led Gulf Coast State to a 4-1 start, including three wins in four matches - all against nationally-ranked opponents - at the Opening Weekend Tournament
  • Recorded at least 16 digs in all five matches, including 28 vs. Grand Rapids and 27 vs. Parkland

Other nominees: Lauren Herz, St. Johns River State; Saniaa Dickey, Lake-Sumter State; Bailee Perry, State College of Florida


DII Volleyball Setter of the Week

Kiara Vega

Kiara Vega, Pensacola State
So. | S
Lake Mary, Fla.

  • Averaged 12.0 assists over 20 sets
  • Led the Pirates to five wins in six matches
  • Recorded at least 38 assists in five of the six matches, including a season-high 51 vs. Pensacola Christian; had 45 assists vs. Enterprise State and 44 vs. Coastal Alabama-East
  • Also averaged 2.4 digs and 0.3 blocks

Other nominees: Isabela Mulita, Gulf Coast State; Alyssa Bentley, Pasco-Hernando State; Emily Warner, Lake-Sumter State; Elise Rehn Bakken, State College of Floridaf