Player of the Week: April 7, 2020
Each week of the spring and fall seasons, one player who was originally reported as a recruit by AVSR Global is named Player of the Week for an exceptional performance.
Spring Week #5: Maryna Gladun
Florida International University.
NCAA Division I. Graduated in 2015.
Currently: Professional beach player.
Reported by AVSR Global to coaches in 2009.
6'0" Outside Hitter/Opposite/Beach.
Home: Sumy, Ukraine.
See Maryna Samoday’s bio at bvbinfo.com.
Latest Action:
• With the 2020 Olympic Games postponed due to COVID-19, Gladun now is aiming to qualify for July 2021 in Tokyo.
• Gladun leads Ukraine's national beach rankings. She reached a top-20 Olympic ranking last season, teaming with Diana Lunina.
• This is Gladun’s fifth year as a pro beach player. Her 2019 tour events included Russia, China, Turkey, Austria, Portugal and Switzerland.
• At Florida International University, Gladun, then Maryna Samoday, played both indoor and beach volleyball.
• She remains the top beach player in FIU history. Gladun reached the Final Four of the collegiate national championship pairs tourney.
• Samoday’s brother, Valeriy Samoday, is a pro beach player. He won the FIVB World Championship at the under-21 and under-19 levels.
Excerpt from 2009 AVSR Global report:
“Sleek athlete and veteran player from an elite volleyball family. … Can play LH or RH in upper-Division I. … Surgical shotmaking skills and a light jump. … Comfortable, adaptive ball control.”