Zieman, Kuosmanen, Koerner Earn SSC Volleyball Player of the Week Awards
ORLANDO, Fla. – Embry-Riddle's
Dakota Zieman has been selected as the Sunshine State Conference Volleyball Offensive Player of the Week, while teammate
Ashlyn Koerner earned Setter of the Week honors for the second time this season. Florida Southern's
Ella Kuosmanen was named Defensive Player of the Week. The awards recognize performances during the week ending October 11.
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Dakota Zieman, Embry-Riddle
So. | OH | Eastvale, Calif.
- Led Embry-Riddle to a pair of 3-0 victories over Saint Leo and Eckerd, totaling 33 kills, 19 digs, three service aces and 36.0 points while hitting .311 across the two matches.
- Opened the week with 17 kills, 12 digs and 17.0 points in a sweep of Saint Leo on Friday.
- Followed with 16 kills, seven digs, three service aces and 19.0 points in Saturday's sweep of Eckerd.
- Averaged 5.50 kills and 3.17 digs per set while helping the Eagles complete an undefeated week without dropping a set.
Other Nominees: Hayden Nash, Eckerd; Sydney Corbett, Palm Beach Atlantic; Kai Hazelett, Rollins; Connor Rahn, Tampa.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Ella Kuosmanen, Florida Southern
Jr. | MB | Kontiolahti, Finland
- Led the SSC with 1.50 blocks per set, totaling 15 blocks as Florida Southern posted a pair of five-set victories.
- Recorded eight blocks and four kills in a 3-2 upset of No. 9 Barry, securing the Moccasins' highest-ranked victory since 2008.
- Delivered four blocks in the decisive fifth set against Barry, including the match-winning block.
- Followed with seven blocks and 10 kills in another 3-2 victory over Florida Tech, helping Florida Southern complete a 2-0 week.
Other Nominees: Sofia Augusto, Palm Beach Atlantic; Hayden Nash, Eckerd; Cameron Grange, Rollins.
SETTER OF THE WEEK
Ashlyn Koerner, Embry-Riddle
Jr. | S | Tallahassee, Fla.
- Directed Embry-Riddle's offense to consecutive 3-0 victories over Saint Leo and Eckerd, totaling 86 assists, 14 digs and four service aces.
- Opened the week with 41 assists, six digs, three service aces and a block in Friday's sweep of Saint Leo.
- Added 45 assists, eight digs and a service ace in Saturday's sweep of Eckerd.
- Averaged 14.33 assists per set across the two victories.
- Ranks tied for first in the SSC with 608 total assists this season and second in assists per set (10.48).
- Earns her second SSC Setter of the Week honor this season, having previously received the award on September 8.
Other Nominees: Ula Gorjup, Lynn; Grace Dumont, Eckerd; Jenna Garza.
2026 SSC VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
Offensive Player of the Week
- Oct. 12 – Dakota Zieman, So., OH, Embry-Riddle
- Oct. 5 – Veronika Eremeeva, Jr., RS, Barry
- Sept. 28 – Lira Pukl Verdel, So., OH, Lynn
- Sept. 21 – Vavara Osychenko, Sr., OH, Barry
- Sept. 14 – Hayden Nash, R-Jr., MB, Eckerd
- Sept. 8 – Veronika Eremeeva, Jr., OH, Barry
- Aug. 31 – Lira Pukl Verdel, So., OH, Lynn
Defensive Player of the Week
- Oct. 12 – Ella Kuosmanen, Jr., MB, Florida Southern
- Oct. 5 – Nako Sasaki, Jr., L, Florida Southern
- Sept. 28 – Sofia Augusto, Jr., L, Palm Beach Atlantic
- Sept. 21 – Nako Sasaki, Jr., L, Florida Southern
- Sept. 14 – Sydney Williams, Jr., DS, Eckerd
- Sept. 8 – Ivana Žujovic, Sr., MB, Barry
- Aug. 31 – Sofia Augusto, Jr., L, Palm Beach Atlantic
Setter of the Week
- Oct. 12 – Ashlyn Koerner, Jr., S, Embry-Riddle
- Oct. 5 – Ula Gorjup, Jr., S, Lynn
- Sept. 28 – Ula Gorjup, Jr., S, Lynn
- Sept. 21 – Katie Silcott, Fr., S, Palm Beach Atlantic
- Sept. 14 – Ula Gorjup, Jr., S, Lynn
- Sept. 8 – Ashlyn Koerner, Jr., S, Embry-Riddle
- Aug. 31 – Abbie Roth, So., S, Nova Southeastern
About the SSC
Founded in 1975, the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) is headquartered in Orlando, Florida, and sponsors 21 NCAA Division II sports. SSC member institutions have won
144 NCAA national championships across 15 sports and boast a
Division II-leading 89% Academic Success Rate. In 2025-26, the SSC set an NCAA Division II record with
nine national team championships.