Player of the Week: May 2, 2016

Each week during the beach and indoor seasons, one player originally reported as a recruit by AVSR Global is named Player of the Week for an exceptional performance.

Spring Week #9: Jekaterina “Kate” Stepanova

Florida State University / Florida International University.
Graduated from Florida International in 2013.
Current Team: Sm’Aesch Pfeffingen (Switzerland).  Website and Facebook page.
Reported to coaches in 2007 by AVSR Global.
Home: Riga, Latvia.
6'3" Outside Hitter.
See Kate Stepanova’s collegiate bio at the Florida State website.
See her professional bio at the Image 4 Sport website.
See video clips of Stepanova in 2007 as an AVSR Global recruit.

Latest Action:

• Stepanova finished her third professional season by lifting Sm’Aesch Pfeffingen to second place in Switzerland’s top league, falling in the finals to world power Volero Zurich.
• Last year Stepanova played in France as the leading outside hitter of Quimper Volley 29.
• In college she was an All-America beach and indoor star at Florida State University. She led the Seminoles to the nation’s Final Four in both sports as a senior.
• Stepanova transferred to Florida International for her final beach season in the USA.
• As a junior college star, Stepanova powered Missouri State University-West Plains to a second-place finish at the 2009 national championship tournament.

Excerpt from 2007 AVSR Global report:

“Swift, light, dynamic athlete and an experienced, all-purpose player. … Can play LH or RH for a Top 20 Division I team. … Exceptional transition speed for a 6'2" athlete. … As a beach player she placed 9th at the 2007 Under-21 World Championships.