LOGAN, Utah – Utah State women's tennis sophomore Terezia Mlkva has been named the America First Credit Union USU Student-Athlete of the Week for the period ending on Sunday, Oct. 25. 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.
 
Mlkva claimed the program's first-ever individual conference title, winning the Pac-12 Qualifier to earn the Pac-12 singles title. Mlkva earned four-straight wins for the weekend to claim the conference title. She started the tournament with a pair of comeback victories, defeating Colorado State's Annika Planinsek (3-6, 6-0, 6-2) in the opening round and San Diego State's Constanza Fernandez Rincon (6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-1) in the quarterfinal round. Mlkva then posted a 6-3, 6-4 victory in the semifinals over Washington State's Chisato Kanemaki.

This is Mlkva'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:
MEN'S TENNIS - Junior Eliot Nobel (Stockholm, Sweden) led the Aggies at the Pac-12 Qualifier, recording a first-round singles victory over Boise State's Avery Tallakson, 6-2, 6-3. Nobel's run then ended in the semifinal round against San Diego State's Aleksi Lofman. Nobel's doubles run alongside freshman George Hakopian also ended in first round action against SDSU.

VOLLEYBALL - Sophomore setter Silina Damuni (Provo, Utah) led the Aggies with a pair of double-doubles during two road conference losses at Boise State (3-0) and Oregon State (3-2). Against the Broncos, Damuni led the Aggies in both assists and digs, finishing with 27 assists and 12 digs alongside two kills and a block. She then ended the week by setting new career-highs with both 45 assists and 21 digs, recording her ninth double-double of the season, and adding another three blocks.

FOOTBALL - Graduate wide receiver Anthony Garcia hauled in a career-high eight receptions for 87 yards, including a key fourth-down catch that kept the Aggies' final drive alive. Facing fourth-and-6 at the Utah State 44-yard line, USU quarterback Grady Brosterhous connected with Garcia for an 18-yard gain to extend the drive. With 8:07 remaining in the fourth quarter, Garcia connected with freshman wide receiver Kaina Watson on a trick play, tossing a 6-yard touchdown pass to set up a crucial two-point conversion that tied the game at 17. It marked Garcia's first touchdown pass since throwing two against Fresno State on Nov. 22, 2025.

SOCCER - Senior forward Solena Sellers (Highland, Utah) led Utah State during an 0-1-0 week with a 3-1 loss at Gonzaga on Sunday. Against the Bulldogs, Sellers scored the team's lone goal, her fourth of the season, striking in the 41st minutes. She played 57 minutes as a reserve, recording two shots, both of which were on goal. 

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 
Oct. 25 – Terezia Mlkva, Women's Tennis

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