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.”