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It was a difficult week for the Crimson Tide athletic program. While the football team's 26-10 loss to Tennessee dominated headlines, the soccer and volleyball squads combined for a 1-3 record, and former Alabama players in the NFL had their quietest week of the season.
In this edition of Crimson Tide Athletes of the Week, those performances and more are analyzed.
Freshman of the Week: Tea Simic
With usual candidates EJ Crowell, Trae'Shawn Brown, and Xavier Griffin all quiet against the Volunteers, attention turns to volleyball, which is enduring another tough SEC season at 1-7 but may have found a future star in Simic. The Serbian native, who spent two seasons with Crvena Zvezda of the Serbian Super League, recorded a career-high three assists in Alabama's five-set loss to No. 24 Vanderbilt, one of the team's best showings this year. She added three digs in a loss to Missouri two days later to cap a solid week.
Athlete of the Week: Melina Rembibas
Alabama soccer dropped its second SEC game of the year on Sunday to Vanderbilt, but Rembibas has been a key figure in what has been a strong season for the Crimson Tide. The senior, who began her career under legendary coach Anson Dorrance at North Carolina, assisted on Alabama's lone goal against the Commodores and added a goal and an assist in a 3-0 win over Georgia on Thursday. An All-SEC Third Team selection last year, Rembibas leads the team in assists and is poised for greater recognition this season.
Honorable Mention: Conor Talty
It's time to start Talty's Lou Groza Award campaign. The kicker has been perfect on the season, converting all 10 field goal attempts and all 32 extra points. His 42-yard field goal just before halftime brought Alabama within two points at the break, salvaging a poor first half. However, the Crimson Tide were shut out in the second half as Tennessee pulled away for a 26-10 victory.
Pro and Clutch Athlete of the Week: Germie Bernard
Bernard is quickly becoming a fan favorite in Pittsburgh. He first drew attention after a report that he regularly aces the pop quizzes that Aaron Rodgers gives to Steelers receivers. The trust the 42-year-old quarterback has developed in the second-round pick paid off on Sunday, as Bernard tied the franchise rookie receptions record with 11 catches for a career-high 87 yards. His final catch was the most important: a six-yard touchdown reception in overtime that proved to be the game-winner in Pittsburgh's 26-19 victory over Tampa Bay. The Steelers are tied for the AFC North lead at 4-2, the offense is clicking, and Bernard will be a key part of the team's offensive gameplans moving forward.
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Theodore Fernandez is BamaCentral's baseball beat reporter and co-host of The Joe Gaither Show. He also works as a weekend sports anchor at WVUA 23 News in Tuscaloosa and is one of the station's lead high school sports reporters. Fernandez is a news media student at The University of Alabama and is pursuing a master's degree in sports management.