Valdes served as the clincher in USC's upset win over No. 4 Michigan on Friday. After faltering in doubles with partner Jessica Failla, she bounced back in singles in a battle with No. 125 Chiara Lommer on Court 4.
Unranked Valdes won the first set, 6-3, before dropping the second, 4-6. The Boca Raton, FL native dug in for a 6-4 win in the third, securing a 5-2 victory for USC.
With the win, Valdes improved to 3-3 in dual match play this season and broke a two-match losing streak.
Valdes' first career Player of the Week award is the third by a Trojan this season, as junior Gabby Smith has won it twice before. USC's three weekly awards are more than any other team in the conference can claim.
The No. 32 Trojans battle it out with No. 7 Cal this Friday at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free and open to the public.
