IRVING, Texas – The American Conference has announced the weekly volleyball honors for the fifth week of the 2026 season.
Offensive Player of the Week
Avery Burks, Sr., OH, Tulane
Burks hit an impressive .418 for Tulane over two conference wins, averaging 4.19 points and 2.38 digs per set. Burks swung .485 with 18 kills in a five-set victory at UTSA before closing the week hitting .318 with 11 kills in a sweep at North Texas.
Defensive Player of the Week
Jill Hanson, So., MB, Tulsa
Hanson paced the conference with 2.00 blocks per set during a 2-0 conference weekend for Tulsa. After a sweep against South Florida, Hanson turned in 12 total blocks (two solo) and added 11 kills for a four-set double-double versus Memphis.
Setter of the Week
Taryn Gilreath, 3rd, S, East Carolina
Gilreath averaged 12.57 assists per set for East Carolina in its two conference wins to start league play. Gilreath finished with 44 assists in a sweep of Charlotte and contributed a 44-assist, 16-dig double-double in a four-set win over Rice.
Freshman of the Week
Paula Tomasa, Fr., OH, South Florida
Tomasa recorded 18 kills and nine digs to narrowly miss a double-double in a four-set victory at Wichita State for South Florida’s first conference win of the 2026 season.
Honorable Mention
Emma Ortiz, 3rd, DS/L, East Carolina
Ortiz finished the two East Carolina matches with 37 total digs and 5.29 digs per set, setting a career-high with 25 digs in a four-set win at Rice.
Ellie Pate, 4th, OH, East Carolina
Pate averaged 4.29 points and 4.00 kills per set for 2-0 East Carolina, swinging .385 with 13 kills in a sweep of Charlotte.
Maya Van Heyst, Grad, S, Florida Atlantic
Van Heyst averaged 9.95 assists per set in a 1-1 Florida Atlantic week, going for 51 assists and eight digs in five sets to defeat UTSA.
Riley Tucker, Grad, MB, Tulane
Tucker averaged 1.75 blocks per set for 2-0 Tulane to start conference play, turning in five total blocks in five sets at UTSA and nine total blocks in a sweep of North Texas.
Olivia Vance, Sr., OH, Tulsa
Vance logged 4.36 points per set and added 3.71 kills per frame over two Tulsa wins, hitting .333 with 14 kills in a sweep of South Florida to highlight the weekend.