INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (March 26, 2014) - The ETSU Academic Support Services department would like to congratulate women's tennis player Sofia Espana-Perez on winning the NCAA Ethnic Minority and Women's Enhancement Programs' Postgraduate Scholarship for Careers in Athletics.

Perez stood out among a field of hundreds of applicants to win one of only 13 prestigious postgraduate scholarships for women minorities which will allow her to continue her education at a postgraduate level at a school of her choosing. After graduating from ETSU, Perez plans to pursue a master's degree in sports psychology.

“It was an honor to be nominated by the athletic department and humbling that I was chosen by the NCAA for such a prestigious honor," Perez said.

A senior from Mexico City, Mexico, Perez has maintained an institutional GPA of over 3.9 while majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. In addition to excelling in the classroom, Perez is currently unbeaten in Atlantic Sun play in both singles and doubles and has played an integral part in helping ETSU to a five-match win streak and a share of first place in the A-Sun.

"I give credit to the amazing support staff that has helped me along the way including the academic department, Dr. Epps, my coaching staff, my teammates, and my family," Perez said. "Without their help and support, none of my success would be possible. Finally, I would like to thank the NCAA for affording me the opportunity to continue my education and allowing me to pursuing my career goal of one day working with student-athletes.”

Along with the scholarship, Perez also earned a spot in The NCAA Career in Sports Forum (CSF). The CSF is a four-day event through which selected student-athletes and scholarship recipients will explore and be educated on careers in sports, with a primary focus on intercollegiate athletics.

This scholarship program was created by the NCAA Committee on Women's Athletics and the NCAA Minority Opportunities and Interests Committee with the goal of increasing the pool of and opportunities for qualified minority and female candidates in intercollegiate athletics.