VALDOSTA, Ga. – Valdosta State freshmen men's tennis standout Pietro Casciola was named Gulf South Conference Men's Tennis Freshman of the Week, the league office announced Wednesday.  This is Casciola's second Freshman of the Week honor this season.
 
Casciola, a native of Italy, won in both singles and doubles against No. 23 Lynn this past week.  He tallied one of the Blazers' two points in the match (L, 4-2).  Casciola and Jerome Iaconi won 6-4 at No. 2 doubles, while Casciola won 7-5, 6-4 at No. 4 singles pulling VSU within 3-1 in the match.  For the season, Casciola is 6-6 in singles and 3-2 in league play.  
 
The Blazers battle No. 3-seed West Alabama on Thursday at 9 a.m. ET in the quarterfinal round of the 2026 Gulf South Conference Championships in Tuscaloosa, Ala.  Click here for the link to the GSC Men's Tennis Championship webpage.