Player of the Week: October 29, 2012

Each Monday in the fall, one player originally reported as a recruit by AVSR Global is named Player of the Week for her performance of the past week and current season.

Player of the Week:Katarina Bursac

University of Texas at Brownsville (NAIA, 2011 national champion)
Freshman, 5'10"Setter
Home:Belgrade, Serbia
Reported by AVSR Global:December 2011
See Katarina Bursac’s bio at the Texas-Brownsville web site.

Last week’s action:

• Bursac led top-ranked Texas-Brownsville on a three-day tour of southern California powers. UTB defeated No. 4 Biola and No. 21 Vanguard after falling to #2 Concordia 3-2.
• The Scorpions won last year’s NAIA national championship. This year’s team, now 22-1, has been ranked No. 1 since the start of the season.
• Bursac, an instant starter as a freshman this year, is averaging 11 assists per set.

Excerpt from original AVSR Global report (2011):

“Longtime setter for high-level club teams. Ready to guide a 5-1 offense as a freshman in the Top 60 of Division I. .... Strong, stable, and efficient. Fast feet but not explosive quickness.”

Special Mention:Iva Partaleva

Binghamton University
Senior, 5'11"Outside Hitter
Home:Kyustendil, Bulgaria
Reported by AVSR Global:August 2008
See Iva Partaleva’s bio at the Binghamton University web site.

Last week’s action:

• Partaleva scored 45 kills in a pair of five-set victories over New Hampshire and Providence. Binghamton climbed to second place in the America East Conference.
• She’s averaging 3.5 kills per set this year while swinging at .203 efficiency. It’s Partaleva’s second season as the Bearcats’ top terminator.
• An academic star, Partaleva is on the America East and Binghamton AD Honor Rolls.

Excerpt from original AVSR Global report (2008):

“Powerful athlete, hard-charging competitor and all-purpose player without elite training. Her skills and game exceed those of her teammates in a one-club town, and she has a great range of physical, mental and emotional talents for higher-level development.”