STONY BROOK, N.Y. – Stony Brook University tennis player Sara Annamaria Medved has been named the 2025 Northeast Region Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship recipient for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Northeast Region on Tuesday.

Medved earned her second career ITA Leadership & Sportsmanship Award after becoming the first player in program history to earn the award last season. She was also one of 13 players in the country to be selected as a recipient for the 2025 Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award.

"I couldn't be happier for Sara to earn this award," said head coach Thiago Dualiby. "She embodies sportsmanship and strived to grow as a leader, challenging her comfort zone to positively impact those around her, this year doing a tremendous job as one of our captains."

The ITA/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding individuals in all divisions at the regional and national level. This award, which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular, and tennis achievements.

In the 2024-25 season, Medved recorded 13 wins in doubles with partners Mia Palladino and Cornelia Bruu-Syversen, nearly doubling her total victories from last season, as well as playing a pivotal role in several Stony Brook victories.

Throughout her career, the senior has played in 124 matches in singles and doubles. As a Seawolf, she has registered 25 wins in singles and 24 in doubles play. She earned her first career victory in singles and doubles play against Missouri State during her freshman year.

During her time at Stony Brook, she has earned several honors, including a 2022-23 CAA Honor Roll distinction, being a member of the Dean's List for each semester of her undergraduate career, a 2024 College Sports Communicators Academic All-District recipient, and the 2024 Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Northeast Region.

She previously completed a double major undergraduate degree with a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics (AMS). She will be graduating from the Accelerated BS/MS program with a Master of Science in Computer Science and a 3.95 cumulative GPA. Upon graduation in May, she was accepted to work for Google as a Software Engineer.

The four-time Dean's List recipient is a member of numerous clubs at Stony Brook, including the Academy of Leaders, International Student Advisory Council, executive board member of the Ski and Snowboard Club, algorithmic researcher, and programming teaching assistant. She was also selected to attend the Women's Sports Foundation Athlete Leadership Convention.

"Sara contributed so much to our program and Stony Brook, always jumping at the opportunities to help teammates and those around her," said Dualiby. "She will be missed on campus, but I'm glad that she will impact many other people and help create great environments wherever she goes as a Seawolf."

The national winners for the ITA Awards will be announced on June 18. As the regional winner, Medved is a candidate for the national award.
 
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