Albany, NY—The Sage College's department of athletics gathered to recognize and honor the outstanding performances of the 2016-2017 year with the naming of the athletic award winners for the 15 varsity athletic teams. Sage saluted the Most Outstanding Player in each sport with the Gator of the Year Award and also named the 2016-2017 Female and Male Athletes of the Year. Earning the Gator of the Year award in women's tennis was graduate student Melissa Estremera (Millbrook, NY/Millbrook).

As a member of the 2016 Sage women's tennis team, Estremera served as a team captain and helped the Gators garner a spot in the Skyline Conference Tournament. By season's end, she was named to the 2016 Skyline Conference Second Team for her outstanding play.

Estremera said of winning the honor, "Being a part of the tennis team was a great experience." She added, "I loved being a part of such a caring, supportive team and I am thankful for my coaches, who pushed me to be the best I can be. Tennis is something I can carry with me for the rest of my life and Sage made that possible."                             

Sage went 7-7 on the season and posted a 4-3 effort in the Skyline Conference, garnering a No. 4 seed in the league's tournament. The Gators fell in the semifinals to top seeded Farmingdale State College, the eventual league champions.

Estremera had an impressive final season with the Gators as she went 8-4 on the year in singles play, while holding down the No. 2 spot on the singles ladder. She went 6-1 in Skyline Conference matches in singles and also played at No. 2 doubles this season. She went 6-5 in doubles this season, while serving as a team co-captain. A year ago, she earned the 2015 Skyline Conference Sportsmanship in women's tennis. She was named to the Skyline Conference Weekly Honor Roll once during the season for her efforts.