Women's Tennis Squad Names 2011 Season Award Winners
The Sage Colleges' department of athletics recently honored members of the varsity teams at the Athletic Awards Banquet. Junior Isabella Pericone (Scotia, NY/Burnt Hills), a member of the women's tennis team at Sage was named the recipient of the Gator of the Year Award as the team's Most Valuable Player.
Head Women's Tennis Coach Bruce Perry said of Pericone, "Isabella was put in a position where she had to step up to the No. 1 spot in our lineup." Perry added, "She responded to the challenge admirably and with style."
By season's end, she was also named to the 2011 Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team for her play over the course of the fall. After a sudden change in the Gator lineup in the first week of the campaign, Pericone was thrust into to No. 1 singles lineup and had a change in her partner as well at first doubles. She adjusted to the change and proceeded to go 5-8 at No. 1 singles and earned a 3-9 in doubles competition for the season. Sage finished the fall campaign with a 4-9 overall record, while going 2-4 in the conference this season.
Sophomore Mary Kate Hayward (Queensbury, NY/Glens Falls), a member of the women's tennis team at Sage was named the recipient of the 2011 Leadership Award for her efforts on and off the courts this year.
Perry said of Hayward, "With the unexpected illness of our team captain, Sage needed a leader to take it by the reins." Perry added, "We were lucky to Mary Kate, who was ready, willing, and able to serve in that role this past year."
During the fall, she provided the team with both leadership and consistency and by season's end, Sage's women's tennis team was named the recipient of the 2011 Skyline Conference Women's Tennis Sportsmanship Award for their demeanor on and off the courts as voted by their peers.
On the court, she went 3-8 in singles play with a 1-6 record in doubles competition and is a two-year letterwinner for the Gators.
Senior Briana Bixler (Highland, NY/Highland), a member of the women's tennis team at Sage was named the recipient of the 2011 Coaches' Award for her efforts on and off the courts this year.
Perry said of Bixler, "Briana provided the leadership and longevity to inspire our team to a great season."
A four-year letterwinner in women's tennis at Sage, Briana has excelled in the classroom. Named to the Skyline Conference Academic Honor Roll in both 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, she has also earned recognition as a Sage Scholar-Athlete several times.
A biology major at Sage, Briana serves as president of the Biology Club, the treasurer of the Atheian's Honor Society, as well as the treasurer of the Medusa Club. She is a member of the Dean's Book Club as well as the TriBeta Honor Society and is the class of 2012 Alumnae Representative.
In her time as a Gator, she has racked up a 26-20 career singles record, including an impressive 9-5 record as a sophomore on the 2009 team that earned a spot in the Skyline Conference Tournament. In doubles action, she is 12-18 at Sage, giving her a combined record as a Gator of 38-38, including a 4-5 singles mark this past fall.
