Tennis standout Alessandro Giuliato and softball pitcher Valerie Alvarado the the latest Hawai`i Hilo Pepsi Athletes of the Week.

Sophomore Alessandro Giuliato had a big week in Texas as the No. 7 ranked Vulcans won three of five matches. Giuliato went 4-0 in singles, including capturing UH HIlo's lone victory over No. 1 nationally ranked Barry (Fla.). In that match, the Italian native made short work of the No. 6 ranked player in the nation, Barry's Carlos Gomez, 6-3, 6-2. The left-hander also had straight set victories over Adham Gaber of Southwest Baptist (#10 team in the country), 6-4, 6-1, Jose Antelo of St. Mary's TX (6-2, 6-2) and Eban Straker-Meads of Auburn-Montgomery, 6-4, 7-5. Ranked No. 33 in NCAA Division II prior to the season, Giuliato was not able to play in the final match of the trip versus St. Edward's TX. He is now 6-0 on the season in singles.

Junior pitcher Valerie Alvarado came up big twice this past week for the UH Hilo softball team. The right-handed transfer tossed a pair of shutouts at Dominican when the Vulcans needed them the most, helping to lead her team to a pair of victories over the Penguins. The Indian River State (Fla.) transfer pitched the Vulcans to a 2-0 win in six innings of work, giving up just four hits, and then ruled the pitching circle for seven innings during an 8-0 victory, allowing five hits and striking out five. For the week, she totaled 13 innings pitched, only nine hits, three walks, no runs, and eight K's. UH Hilo is now 16-4 on the season and 11-1 in the PacWest heading into a critical southern California trip.