FLUSHING, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College women's tennis was recognized by the City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) on Friday as the league announced its year-end awards.

Residing in Brooklyn, senior Emperatriz Cesar took home the CUNYAC Sportsmanship Award for the second time in her career after previously garnering the 2022-23 Women's Swimming laurel. 

"This award is dedicated to my team for all of our hard work and dedication from being able to grow from scratch and giving it their all in every game to become exceptional. It feels great to be honored with this award after this being a very challenging semester for me!" - said Cesar.

The recognition is Cesar's second consecutive tennis honor, as she was recognized as a member of the 2022 CUNYAC Sportsmanship Team in 2022. Cesar is now York's fourth Sportsmanship Award winner in the last five seasons, as Monique James (2019, 2021) and Rimsha Razai (2018) both earned the distinction. 

Cesar played all eight matches for the Cardinals in 2023, almost exclusively playing on the No. 1 singles and doubles courts.  

2023 CUNYAC Women's Tennis All-Star Awards
*Player of the Year: Ava Deguzman (Baruch College)
*Rookie of the Year: Aishika Yadav (Baruch College) 
Coach of the Year: Gregory Wyzykowski (Baruch College) 
Sportsmanship Award: Emperatriz Cesar (York College) 
Sportsmanship Team: Erica Sheludenko (Baruch College), Veronika Tsiko (Brooklyn College), Julia Aksamentova (Hunter College), Shelby Gonzalez (Lehman College), Cindy Lliguicota (John Jay College)

First Team
*Ava Deguzman (Baruch College)
*Aishika Yadav (Baruch College)
Antigone Alexander (John Jay College)
Erica Sheludenko (Baruch College)
Viola Avdyli (Lehman College)
Angelina Catania (Hunter College)
Sarina Moi (John Jay College)

Second Team
Esther Benjamin (Baruch College)
Anna Chapko (Hunter College)
Caroline Lopez (Lehman  College)
Mia Chan (Hunter College)
Dakota Himaya (John Jay  College)
Sophia Kebadze (Brooklyn College)

The Cardinals (0-8) battle the Kean University Cougars (2-0) at 3 p.m. from York College Courts as they close out its home slate with a non-conference senior day matchup.  Prior to opening serve, Cesar (2019, 21-23) and Jamelia Jordan (2021-23) will be recognized for their dedication to York College Athletics with the annual Senior Day Ceremony. 

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