VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State freshman men's tennis standout Pietro Casciola and junior women's tennis student-athlete Kitti Nemeth were named Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week. 
 
Casciola, a native of Italy, went 2-0 in singles at the No. 5 spot in the lineup and went 0-1 in doubles this week in three matches versus No. 1 West Florida, No. 16 West Alabama and Christian Brothers.  Casciola tallied the only point in the 6-1 loss to UWA (6-3, 6-3) and won 6-1, 6-1 versus Christian Brothers.  Casciola and teammate Wilson Igbinovia dropped a 7-5 doubles decision to CBU.  
 
Nemeth, a native of Pecel, Hungary, also went 2-0 in singles matches at the Nos. 4 and 6 positions and was 1-1 in doubles with teammate Carmelle Vial at the No. 3 spot as VSU went 1-2 against No. 2 West Florida, No. 4 West Alabama and Christian Brothers.  Nemeth and Vial won their doubles matches against West Florida at No. 3, while Nemeth won 7-6 (7-1), 6-2 against Kyle Kochis of UWF and won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 4 singles against Hanne Alvarez of CBU.  Nemeth and Vial lost to UWA duo of Nano Kazaa and Greta Zawels, 7-5.  
 
The Blazers close out the 2026 home slate this week with a 2 p.m. match on Friday against Lynn and then the women's team hosts Tampa on Saturday at 11 a.m.  Both the Blazer men's and women's teams have qualified for the upcoming Gulf South Conference Championships, scheduled for Apr. 23-26 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. 
 
Steel's Jewelry Blazer Athletes of the Week
Oct. 20, 2025 – Eimy Negron Domenech (Volleyball) / Elad Sebbag (Men's Golf)
Oct. 27, 2025 – Kaitlyn Scherer (Women's Soccer) / Mark Robinson (Football)
Nov. 3, 2025 – Taylor Youmans (Women's Soccer) / Council Allen (Football)
Nov. 10, 2025 – Eimy Negron Domenech (Volleyball) / Corey Reddick, Jr. (Football)
Nov. 17, 2025 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Matt Rolader (Football)
Nov. 24, 2025 – Aryana Hicks (Women's Basketball) / Blaise Wallace (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 1, 2025 – Aryana Hicks (Women's Basketball) / MJ Jones (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 8, 2025 – Alina Martin (Women's Basketball) / Samarion Bond (Men's Basketball)
Dec. 16, 2025 – Amaya Broadus (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Dec 22, 2025 –  Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 5, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Lucas Brown Jr. (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 12, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Peter McKey (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 20, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Jan. 26, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Blaise Wallace (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 3, 2026 – Chardae Rumph (Women's Basketball) / Drew Mills (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 9, 2026 – Erin Whalen (Women's Basketball) / Peter McKey (Men's Basketball)
Feb. 17, 2026 – Charlotte Phillips (Softball) / Charlie Banks (Baseball)
Feb. 23, 2026 – Chloe Eichelberger (Softball) / Jack Butler (Baseball)
Mar. 9, 2026 – Saylor McNearney (Softball) / Drake LaRoche (Baseball)
Mar. 16, 2026 – Madison VanAllen (Softball) / Alexander Nilehn (Men's Golf)
Mar. 31, 2026 – Ivana Castillo Hurtado (Women's Tennis) / William Carestam (Men's Golf)
Apr. 6, 2026 – Saylor McNearney (Softball) / Brent Howard (Baseball)
Apr. 14, 2026 – Kitti Nemeth (Women's Tennis) / Pietro Casciola (Men's Tennis)