VALDOSTA, Ga.- Valdosta State men's tennis senior Takeshi Taco and Blazer soccer freshman Anna Dandeneau were named this week's Steel's Jewelry Athletes of the Week. This marks back-to-back weeks that Taco has earned the honor while it marks the first time Dandeneau has been named Blazer Athlete of the Week this season.
 
Representing the reigning National Champion Valdosta State tennis team, Taco won 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 over Ouachita Baptist's (Ark.) Phil Exner in the finals of the 2024 ITA Cup Sunday morning. Taco, who was seeded No. 1 in the tournament after winning the ITA South Regional, roared back as he was down 2-4 in the first set tiebreaker, winning five of the next six points to win the first set.  In the second set, Taco got a critical deuce point for a 4-1 lead as he then went on for the 6-1 victory. This marks the first time a Blazer has competed in the finals of the ITA Cup for singles since 2022.
 
Dandeneau helped lead VSU to a 1-1 record this past week.  She played 68 minutes in a start at No. 15 West Florida on Friday and then registered two shots with two on frame and had her first career assist on the game winning goal by sophomore Kaitlyn Scherer just 7:48 into a 4-0 win at Spring Hill College on Sunday. For her excellent stretch of performances, Dandeneau was also named Gulf South Conference Player of the Week. This season, Dandeneau has played in nine matches with six starts, while logging 590 minutes with one goal and one assist for three points.  She has five shots with three on frame for the year.
 
Taco and the Blazers now prepare for the GSC Fall Championships on Oct. 18-19, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Meanwhile, Dandeneau and the Blazers are scheduled to host Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday at 1 p.m. at the VSU Soccer Pitch.  For more information on Blazer tennis and soccer as well as all things VSU athletics, visit vstateblazers.com.