Hilton, NY – Russell Sage College's women's tennis team was very represented with the release of the 2021 Empire 8 Women's Tennis All-Conference Team. RSC's rookie Maddie Cherry (Las Vegas, NV/Odyssey Charter) was honored as the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Year and the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year.  In addition, she was also named to the Empire 8 Singles First Team as well as the Empire 8 Doubles Third Team.

A newcomer with the Gators, Cherry earned two selections over the course of the fall as the E8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week, while also going unbeaten in singles play this fall. Playing at No. 1 singles, she was a perfect 9-0 in singles play this fall.

She and her partner, senior Taylor Gillespie (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill Richmondville) were also honored for their play together at No. 1 doubles. The Gator duo was named to the Third Team after they went 6-2 with one another. 

Head Coach Allison Coleman commented about Cherry, "Maddie was a dominant force on the court from the moment she came to campus." She added, "She has an unmatched drive to be the best she can be on the court and elevates her game to rise to the level of her competition.  She has a bright future as a Sage tennis player."

Coleman also noted, "Taylor and Maddie performed exceptionally well at No. 1 doubles.  They complimented each other's style of play perfectly, which was evident in their results.  We will miss Taylor's leadership on the court as she moves on after graduation this Spring."

One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2021 E8 Women's Tennis Sportswoman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportswomen.  Gillespie was also saluted as a member of the Empire 8 Sportswoman Team of the Year.