LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's tennis sophomore Sabina Pintea has been named the America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sunday, Oct. 18. The award is voted on by a state-wide media panel.

With their sponsorship of the student-athlete of the week, America First Credit Union donates funds directly to support student-athlete scholarships.
 
Pintea posted a team-best four singles victories during USU's week at the ITA Mountain Regional Championships. Pintea opened qualifying with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Idaho State's Victoria Grymalska before defeating New Mexico's Nadia Victoria Nemeth, 6-1, 6-3, to advance to the main draw. In the main draw, Pintea defeated the tournament's ninth-seeded singles player, Eszter Kis-Czako of UNLV, 6-4, 6-2, before earning a 7-6, 6-4 victory over Utah's Elena Daskalova. Pintea's run ended against eventual semifinalist, Wyoming's Silver Bijlsma. Pintea also scored a doubles win alongside freshman Giulia Musat as the pair defeated Montana's Emma Marais and Paige Bott, 8-3.

This is Pintea's first time in his career being named the AFCU USU Student-Athlete of the Week.
 

Fans can follow Utah State women's tennis on X at @USUWomensTennis, on Facebook at /UtahStateWomensTennis or on Instagram at @USUWomensTennis. Aggie fans can also follow the Utah State athletic program on X at @USUAthletics, Facebook at /USUAthletics and Instagram at @USUAthletics. 
 

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Nominees from other sports for USU Student-Athlete of the Week included:
SOCCER - Sophomore midfielder Mia Lopez (Logan, Utah) helped Utah State to an 0-0-1 week with a 0-0 draw versus Fresno State on Saturday. Against the Bulldogs, Lopez started and played 63 minutes, recording a team-high six shots in the contest. She also helped anchor the Aggie midfield, as USU limited Fresno State to just four total shots and two shots on goal. 

MEN'S CROSS COUNTRY- Junior Josh Armstrong (La Verkin, Utah), led the men's cross country team to a 13th-place result at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational, hosted by Indiana State. Armstrong beat his season best by over a minute, crossing in 23:52.4 to finish 41st in the 8k championship race.

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY - Senior Natalie Swain (South Jordan, Utah) paced the Aggies for the third time this season, placing 50th at the Under Armour Pre-National Invitational, running a 20:22.9 in the 6k championship race. Swain led the team to a 21st-place finish, passing six runners in the final 2k split.

VOLLEYBALL - Junior outside hitter Sami Blackett (Orem, Utah) led the Aggies with 25 kills during a pair of Pac-12 road losses at San Diego State (3-2) and Colorado State (3-0). Against the Aztecs, Blackett posted 15 kills, two aces, six digs, four blocks and an assist. Blackett then led USU with 10 kills against the Rams, also adding three digs and a block. She also recorded a .981 reception percentage on the week, receiving 54 total serves with only one error.

2026-27 America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week Winners
Aug. 31 – Ellie Hendrix, Soccer
Sept. 6 – Jedediah Megargel, Cross Country
Sept. 13 – Solena Sellers, Soccer
Sept. 20 – Mia Lopez, Soccer
Sept. 27 – Grady Brosterhous, Football
Oct. 4 – Hadli Barrera, Soccer
Oct. 11 – Xavier Calvelo, Men's Tennis
Oct. 18 – Sabina Pintea, Women's Tennis 

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