Albany, NY—The Sage College's department of athletics gathered to recognize and honor the outstanding performances of the 2017-2018 year with the naming of the athletic award winners for the 15 varsity athletic teams. In addition to awarding the Gator Award, for the Most Outstanding Player, the department also named the 2017-2018 Female and Male Athletes of the Year as well as the Dean Sharon Robinson Senior Male and Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year, which is given to the senior student-athlete with the highest overall grade point average, as well as the Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award.

 

Sage also awarded the Gator of the Year to members of the varsity teams, often awarded to the team's most valuable player. Named the Gator of the Year in men's volleyball was senior captain Ryan Guyton (Lockport, NY/Lockport).

 

Head women's and men's volleyball coach Robert Verhayden noted of Ryan, "Ryan led by the team by his efforts and actions, combined with his tremendous confidence and demeanor on the court." Verhayden added, "He was a joy to have in the gym and on the team and will be missed."

 

Over the course of the 2018 season, Guyton helped to rewrite the program's record book. He earned a spot on the 2018 Empire 8 Men's Volleyball Honorable Mention Team.

 

Guyton was a four-year letterwinner in men's volleyball and also served as a team captain for three years. He holds Sage's career records for most points (1,409.0), most kills (1,117), most aces (197), while playing in a record 119 matches. He also added 527 digs, good enough for seventh on the career list. On the 2018 season, Guyton led the team with his 331.5 points and 273 kills. He was also tops on the team this season with his 43 aces.