Date Posted: 6/18/2008

JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. - Olya Batsula, a senior on the ETSU women's tennis team, obtained the Atlantic Sun Conference's nomination for the 18th Annual NCAA Woman of the Year Award.

"Olya Batsula demonstrates exactly what the Atlantic Sun Conference is all about in 'Building Winners for Life' – student-athletes who excel both in the classroom and in their community while also performing at a very high level in their sport," said Sherri Booker, associate commissioner/senior woman administrator for the A-Sun. "We are incredibly proud of Olya and congratulate her and the athletic administration at ETSU for all of her many contributions to women's tennis in the Atlantic Sun Conference."

Batsula recently acquired the Intercollegiate Tennis Association/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship in the Southeast Division. The award goes to a women’s player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. A four-time all-conference selection, Batsula compiled a 22-11 overall record during her senior season, including 15-6 in dual play and 11-0 in conference play. The Belarus native ended her career with 179 victories and is third on the ETSU all-time wins list. Batsula held national rankings throughout her career at ETSU and helped the Bucs reach the A-Sun finals this past year.

"It is a great honor for Olya to represent ETSU and the Atlantic Sun Conference in the NCAA Woman of the Year competition," said head coach Steven Brooks. "This just shows how important she was to the program and to the University. Being named the national winner of the Cissie Leary Sportsmanship award earlier – it would be incredible for her to win this award."

Off the court, Batsula was active in the community, helping out with the Boys and Girls Club, the Children's Advocacy Center, Girls Inc., Relay for Life, The Special Olympics and Toys for Tots. Despite a busy schedule including academics and athletics, she still found time to give lessons to wheelchair bound students and underprivileged children. Oftentimes she drove out of town with racquets, balls and a net to conduct tennis lessons for children who were interested in the sport, but had no one to teach them the game.

Batsula graduated Magna Cum Laude from ETSU in May of 2008. The University awarded her with the 2008 Buccaneer Leadership award and she earned the Faculty Award in the Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences. She also  represented ETSU at the National Leadership Conference. A three-time ITA Scholar Athlete selection, she was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and won the Buc Wild competition by attending more than 50 athletic events that were not in her own sport.

The 128 conference and independent nominees represent all three divisions and have excelled in academics, athletics and community service. Nominees are selected based on service and leadership activities, academic achievement, athletics excellence, and a personal statement describing benefits she has gained from her experience as a student-athlete.

Maria Ilina, Batsula's former teammate, represented the A-Sun as the 2007 NCAA Woman of the Year Award nominee.

Related Links:
 • Full Article at ETSUBucs.com