WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue men's tennis newcomer Lorenzo Balducci was selected Big Ten Freshman of the Week for the second time this season (last: Oct. 14) after securing his ticket to the NCAA Singles Championship. The honor marks Baluducci as the first two-time Freshman of the Week recipient. Meanwhile, he is the third Boilermaker in program history to receive the newcomer award.
Over the last week, Balducci continued to compete at a high level, battling hard at the ITA Conference Masters, which included one representative from each of the 32 conferences that was the highest-ranked player who had not received a bid to the NCAA tournament yet. Balducci advanced to the semifinals and earned the bid to the NCAA Singles Championship behind a dominant run to the quarterfinals. Along the way, he posted a 6-1, 6-7(5), 6-3 Round of 32 win, a 6-2, 6-2 Round of 16 win and a 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 quarterfinals victory.
Balducci will be one of eight freshmen in the nation in the 64-player bracket.
With Balducci and Fathalla's championship bids, Purdue will send two Boilermakers to the singles bracket for the first time in program history.
Balducci enjoyed an outstanding fall season, playing in three tournaments with an impressive 10-1 record, with his only defeat coming against his own teammate and ranked player, Nour Fathalla at the ITA Ohio Valley Regional.