Region 8 Player of the Week Awards: October 17, 2023

Region 8 and 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 Region 8 and 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 | Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week | Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week

POTW Archives: August 29, 2023 | September 5, 2023 | September 12, 2023 | September 19, 2023 | September 26, 2023 | October 3, 2023 | October 10, 2023


DI Volleyball Player of the Week

Alondra Alarcon

Alondra Alarcon, Florida SouthWestern
So. | OH
Lima, Peru

  • Averaged 4.9 kills and 3.7 digs over nine sets
  • Also posted a .283 hitting percentage and averaged 0.2 assists and 0.8 blocks
  • Posted consecutive double-doubles against nationally-ranked opponents, including a 24-kill, 22-dig effort in a five-set win at No. 14 Polk State
  • Had 20 kills and 11 digs (and six blocks) at No. 17 Eastern Florida State

Other nominees: Crismeyli Rodriguez, Polk State; Ana Tevdoradze, Miami Dade; Emma Testi, Daytona State; Matilda Dahlstrom, Hillsborough


DI Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week

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

  • Averaged 6.8 digs over eight sets
  • Recorded 36 digs in a five-setter vs. No. 15 Daytona State
  • Followed that wtih 18 digs in a straight-set at No. 14 Polk State

Other nominees: Izzy Collier, Florida SouthWestern; Irene Mostardini, Polk State; Arianna Warner, Daytona State; Eimy Domenech, Hillsborough


DI Volleyball Setter of the Week

Luiza Da Cruz

Luiza Da Cruz, Miami Dade
Fr. | S
Jaragua Do Sul, Brazil 

  • Averaged 13.3 assists over eight sets
  • Also posted 0.3 kills, 0.4 service aces, 2.9 digs and 0.1 blocks per set while recording a .333 hitting percentage
  • Had 67 assists (and 17 digs) in a five-setter vs. No. 15 Daytona State
  • Against No. 14 Polk State, she recorded 39 assists in the straight-set win

Other nominees: Roberta Purashaj, Florida SouthWestern; Madison O'Sullivan, Polk State; Courtney McGuire, Daytona State; Gabi Jedrzecjzak, Hillsborough


DII Volleyball Player of the Week

Kaylee Hunt

 

Kaylee Hunt, Lake-Sumter State
So. | OH
Georgetown, Ind.

  • Averaged 4.0 kills and 3.2 digs over 13 sets
  • Posted a .193 hitting percentage and also averaged 0.2 assists, 0.2 service aces and 0.5 blocks
  • Recorded three straight double-doubles, including two against nationally-ranked opponents
  • Against No. 18 Gulf Coast State, she had 18 kills and 15 digs (also five blocks) then followed that with 20 kills and 11 digs vs. No. 8 Pensacola State

Other nominees: Ahnika Johnson, St. Petersburg; Elizabeth McDonald, Pasco-Hernando State; Elaina Reynolds, Florida State College at Jacksonville; Marissa Hauser, Florida State College at Jacksonville; Cadence Goeden, Pensacola State; Isabella Rebimbas, State College of Florida


DII Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week

Jayden Ponsford

Jayden Ponsford, Lake-Sumter State
So. | OH
Aurora, Colo.

  • Averaged 5.5 digs over 13 sets
  • Also posted 0.5 kills, 0.3 assists, 0.3 service aces and 0.1 blocks per set
  • Punched two entries into the 25-Dig Club, with back-to-back 26-dig efforts vs. No. 18 Gulf Coast State and No. 8 Pensacola State

Other nominees: Larianys Serrano Santiago, St. Petersburg; Maddie Mire, Pensacola State; Kloe Pinto, State College of Florida


DII Volleyball Setter of the Week

Kiara Vega

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

  • Averaged 9.2 assists over 10 sets
  • Also posted 0.4 kills, 0.2 service aces, 3.2 digs and 0.2 blocks per set
  • Helped Pensacola State to a pair of five-set wins on the road with consecutive double-doubles
  • Had 50 assists and 14 digs at St. Johns River State followed by 42 assists and 18 digs at Lake-Sumter State

Other nominees: Tayla Tran, St. Petersburg; Haley Ebbert, Pasco-Hernando State; Emily Warner, Lake-Sumter State; Morgan McGuire, State College of Florida


Men's Cross Country Runner of the Week

Dayton Law

Dayton Law, Eastern Florida State
So. 
Satellite Beach, Fla. 

  • Was the top NJCAA runner and finished 11th overall at the Sunshine State Conference preview meet
  • Despite a feels-like temperature of 94 degrees for the 6 pm start, he posted a 27:33.3 in the 8K race

Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week

Carly Holadia

Carly Holadia, Seminole State
So.
Orlando, Fla.

  • Won the Florida Gateway College Invite with a 5K time of 20:46

Other nominees: Alexis Camacho Rameriz, South Florida State