VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State softball junior pitcher Samantha Richards and men's tennis sophomore Luca Mack were named this week's Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week, announced Thursday.  

Richards and the Blazer softball team had a weekend sweep at the Gulf Shores Invitational this past weekend, picking up wins against No. 4 West Texas A&M, Spring-Hill College, Drury, and No. 5 North Georgia. Richards started the games against Spring Hill and North Georgia and pitched 12 innings, had 18 strikeouts, four walks, and held her opponents to only one run in 42 at bats. The Alpharetta, Ga. native was named this week's Gulf South Conference Pitcher of the Week, announced by the league on Tuesday.  

Mack, a native of Emmendingen, Germany, helped lead the No. 5 Blazers to a 6-1 win at Georgia College last week. Mack, paired with sophomore Rodrigo Carvalho, won 6-2 in doubles over No. 1 Gabriel Cizek and Enzo Sergi, helping VSU sweep the doubles point.  In singles, Mack, ranked No. 12 nationally, defeated Cizek 6-2, 6-3, giving VSU a 2-0 lead in team scoring.  Mack was also named this week's GSC player of the week, marking his first career Player of the Week honor. He earned Freshman of the Week accolades twice last season.  

The Blazer men's and women's tennis teams open the 2022 home slate on Friday at 2 p.m., as the No. 5 Blazer men's team battles No. 10 North Georgia, while the women's team faces on No. 18 North Georgia. 

Blazer softball is on the road this weekend, at the Embry-Riddle Tournament on Feb. 11-12, taking on the ERAU Eagles and the University of Tampa in a pair of double-headers Friday and Saturday.

Check back with vstateblazers.com for information throughout the season on all 12 Blazer intercollegiate athletic teams or follow Blazer Athletics on social media for updates.