Kayati Grabs National ITA Award
May 20 | Women's Tennis
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 20, 2015) -- Junior Lindsey Kayati (Monroeville, N.J.) has been named the 2015 ITA Division I Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship winner, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced. The national recognition comes after Kayati received the honor for the Northeast Region.
"We are extremely proud of Lindsey, how she represents our program and the tremendous leadership she provides to our program," said Athletic Director Julie Hermann.
The ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship goes to a Division I 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. Additionally, the award also recognizes an obstacle the student-athlete must overcome to play collegiate tennis. It dates back to 1997 and is memory of the late and widely admired Penn women's tennis coach Cissie Leary.
The national award is selected from the 12 regional recipients of the award and is voted upon by the regional chairs of the committee.
"Lindsey receiving this award is not only a great tribute to her personally, but it is also a great recognition for our tennis program," said head coach Ben Bucca. "She has displayed great sportsmanship and perseverance, which speaks highly of Lindsey and is a symbol of what Rutgers tennis represents. "
Kayati was diagnosed with epilepsy, a disease of the brain causing severe seizures, when she was 13 years old. People with epilepsy may suffer multiple seizures within a 24-hour period. Despite combatting symptoms of the disorder in everyday life as well as on the court, Kayati has never let epilepsy hinder her drive to be the best student-athlete she could be.
The New Jersey native also displays strong dedication and excellence in the classroom and the community. Kayati, a Dean's List student, hopes to join the Epilepsy Foundation's Athletes vs. Epilepsy initiative as an athletic ambassador. Kayati's devotion to her fellow Scarlet Knights and to the welfare of all athletes with her condition encompasses all that this award represents.
To learn more about Kayati's story, click here. The full list of ITA Award Division I women's national award winners can be found by clicking here.
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