New personal record for Gitersos with 51 assists
An amazing performance by Christos Gitersos after breaking last year’s personal record of 46 assists, having 51 against Queens University of Charlotte, also scoring his first double-double of the year with 51 assists and 10 digs. Giourda’s University of Central Florida ranks 1st place with 5 wins while Papazoglou’s Temple University ranks 2nd, neither of which have suffered any defeats.
Christos Gitersos
With one victory and one defeat, Christos Gitersos’ Limestone University (2-3) continues its foray into this challenging season, commencing its matches in Conference Carolinas this week. In their win against Emmanuel University (25-22, 25-27, 25-19, 27-25) Gitersos had 5.5 points in 4 sets, 3 kills, 40 assists, 3 blocks, and 5 digs. In their 5 set rally against Queens University of Charlotte, Limestone university fell after 5 very close sets (24-26, 25-19, 25-23, 22-25, 16-14). It is noteworthy that Gitersos managed to break his last year’s personal record of 46 assists, scoring 51! Moreover, he also achieved his first double-double of 2021 with 51 assists, 10 digs, 4 kills, 1 ace, and 1 block.
Next Obligations:
February 10th vs. Barton
February 13th vs. Erskine
Stella Giourda
Incredible performances by Giourda’s undefeated University of Central Florida (5-0) as they move forward with 3 more victories, ranking 1st in the AAC. UCF continues to sweep their opponents one by one: on January 31st against University of North Florida (25-22, 25-19, 25-16) and on the 5th and 6th of February against Tulane University (19-25, 25-15, 25-16, 25-22 & 25-18, 19-25, 25-23, 25-19). The Greek freshman participated in 2 sets against the University of North Florida, without scoring any points.
Next obligations:
February 9th vs. Jacksonville University
Efrosini Alexakou, Ariadni Kathariou
A great season opener in the Big East conference for St. Johns University (3-1) against Fordham. Alexakou, validating last year’s title of the Big East’s best player, led her team and scored 18.5 points, out of which 16 were kills, 11 digs, 3 blocks, and 1 ace, while the middle blocker, Kathariou, scored 5 kills. Unfortunately, in their second match in the Spring 2021 season, St Johns fell to Katerina Papazoglou’s Temple. Alexakou led her team once again with 14 points, 13 kills, 2 blocks, 2 digs, while Kathariou played in the 3rd set and scored 1 kill and 2 blocks.
Next obligations:
February 13th vs. Sacred Heart University
February 15th vs. Northeastern University
Elena Baka
Baka’s St. Mary’s College failed to break Pepperdine’s streak of wins and suffered a 3-0 and 3-1 defeat. Nevertheless, the Greek outside hitter had a leading presence in both games scoring 13.5 and 13 points respectively, with 24 kills, 1 block, 2 aces, 22 digs, and 3 assists.
Next obligations:
February 7th and 8th vs. San Diego
Ioanna Charitonidi
UTRGV dropped their WAC opener at Dixie State with 3-0 both games. Charitonidi played as a libero for the first game and an outside hitter in the second game. Charitonidi had good serve-receive percentage reaching 85% in both games, 10 digs, 4 kills, 1 block, and 1 assist.
Next obligations:
February 8th and 9th vs. New Mexico State
Chrysanthi Stamatiou
Stamatiou’s Bellarmine University wrapped up the week with 3 defeats against Butler University (2-3) and Kennesaw State University (2-3, 0-3). Despite the unpleasant results, the outside hitter grad-student scored 25 kills, 27 digs, and 2 blocks.
Next obligations:
February 12th and 13th vs. Lipscomb University
Zoe Seroli, Iro Hounta
Seroli’s and Hounta’s Green Bay swept IUPUI twice this week. Hounta played in one game scoring 10 kills, 3 aces, and 6 digs while Seroli played in the second game and did not score any points.
Next obligations:
February 8th and 9th vs. Milwaukee
Stella Antypa
Rutgers’ faced two very difficult games this week with the mighty Wisconsin (ranked No.1 in the U.S. as voted by the AVCA). Antypa’s university did not manage to overthrow Wisconsin and ended up losing both games 3-0. The Greek freshman participated in both games, contributing in the back zone.
Next obligations:
February 12th and 13th vs. Nebraska
Dimitra Tziarli
Tziarli’s University of Cincinnati (2-2) completed their first week of February with one victory and one defeat. Tziarli participated in both games that were hosted by Xavier University. In their victory (24-26, 25-21, 25-19, 25-21) the middle blocker participated in all 4 sets scoring 2 kills and 1 block, as well as 3 digs. In their second games (25-12, 25-20, 24-26, 25-20) she scored 4 kills and 2 digs but unfortunately that was not enough leading them to a 3-1 defeat.
Next obligations:
February 11th and 12th vs. East Carolina University
Dimitris Kiridis
Dimitris Kiridis’ Barton College won 3-1 against Emmanuel University. The senior middle blocker participated in all 4 sets and contributed to his team with 6 kills, 4 blocks, and 9 points. Their game against Erskine University has been postponed.
Next obligations:
February 10th vs. Limestone
February 12th vs. Lees-Mcrae
Stavroula Papazoglou
Stavroula Papazoglou’s Odessa College (11-2, ranked #2 nationally last week) played 5 games in one week, scoring 4 victories and only 1 defeat. More specifically, the games went as follows:
- 3-1 victory over Arizona Western College (25-13, 22-25, 25-20, 25-6)
- 3-0 victory over College of Southern Idaho (30-28, 25-11, 25-15)
- 3-0 victory over Eastern Arizona college (25-17, 25-22, 25-16)
- 3-0 victory over Yavapai College (25-20, 25-18, 25-18)
The Wranglers also had a 3-2 defeat against Utah State Eastern, where they fought until the last minute (18-25, 23-25, 25-18, 25-16, 15-13). Papazoglou participated in one set against Eastern Arizona College without scoring any points.
Next obligations:
February 10th vs. Frank Phillips College
February 13th vs. the New Mexico Military Institute
Katerina Papazoglou
Temple University swept Coppin State University (25-22, 26-24, 25-19) and St. John’s University (25-23, 25-20, 25-17) at home. The Temple Owls are currently in 2nd place in the AAC rankings. Papazoglou did not participate in any game.
Next obligations:
February 12th and 13th vs. University of South Florida
Lida Kastanou
A great start to the month of February for both Lida Kastanou and Bradley University (1-1) with a 3-0 (27-25, 27-25, 25-23) victory over Illinois State University, climbing to the 7th spot at Missouri Valley Conference. The Greek right side did not participate.
Next obligations:
February 7th and 8th vs. Drake University
February 14th vs. Indiana State University
Eva Athanasiadou
A tough start for Athanasiadou’s St Louis University after suffering 3 defeats by Western Kentucky (0-3), by Evansville (2-3) and by VCU (1-3). Their game against Davidson on February 6th has been postponed. The sophomore setter did not participate in these matches.
Next obligations:
February 9th vs. Butler
February 13th vs. Dayton
Markella Lanara
Lanara’s George Washington suffered two defeats this week against George Mason (0-3 & 2-3). The freshman middle blocker participated in all sets, and had significant contributions. She almost delivered a win in the last point in the tie break for her team on Sunday, but her attack was dug, and George Mason was able to turn it around and prevail by 14-16. In total, against George Mason Markella had 5 kills in 12 attacks, 1 ace, 2 digs, 4 key blocks, and 8.5 points.
Next obligations:
February 7th vs. George Mason
Alexandra Drosopoulou
Two more victories for Drosopoulou’s UIC against Morris on February 1st and 2nd (3-1, 3-0). The Greek outside hitter did not participate in these 2 games.
Next obligations:
February 8th and 9th vs. Youngstown State