JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (June 17, 2008) - Olya Batsula, a senior on ETSU women's tennis team this past spring, has been chosen by the Atlantic Sun Conference to be the A-Sun nominee for the 18th Annual NCAA Women of the Year Award.

Batsula, who was recently award the ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship in the Southeast Division, which went to the women's tennis player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, and which has enhanced the team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. Batsula a four-time all conference selection, compiled a 22-11 overall record, was 15-6 in dual play, and 11-0 in conference play in her senior season. The Belarus native ended her career with 179 victories and is third on the ETSU all-time wins list. Batsula was ranked nationally 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 has been active in the community throughout her ETSU career helping out with the Boys and Girls Club, the Children's Advocacy Center, Girls Inc., Relay for Life, Special Olympics, and Toys for Tots. Even though Batsula was busy with academics and practices she still found time to give lessons to wheelchair bound students and underprivileged kids. Batsula would even drive 20 minutes to Kingsport with racquets, balls and a net to give tennis lessons to kids who were interested in the sport, but had no one to teach them the game.

Additionally, Batsula graduated Magna Cum Laude, in May of 2008, and was named the 2008 Buccaneer Leadership Award winner and earned the Faculty Award in the Department of Kinesiology, Leisure and Sport Sciences. Batsula attended the National Leadership Conference as a representative of ETSU. A three time ITA Scholar Athlete, she was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and was awarded the Buc Wild competition by attending more than 50 athletic events not in her own sport.

The NCAA Women of the Year award consistent of 128 conference and independent nominees that represents all three divisions and have excelled in academics, athletics and community services. 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.

Batsula joins former teammate Maria Ilina, who was the nominee from the A-Sun in 2007.

For more information about the women's tennis team or ETSU athletics visit www.etsubucs.com