Albany, NY—Russell Sage College's department of athletics announced their award winners for the 2021-2022 academic year at the annual awards banquet.  In addition to several honors bestowed for athletic and academic excellence, Sage also selected the Gator of the Year Award for the department's 21 varsity sports for the 2021-2022 year.

RSC's rookie women's tennis player Maddie Cherry (Las Vegas, NV/Odyssey Charter) was honored as the Female Rookie of the Year in an individual sport and also honored as the Female Athlete of the Year in an individual sport.

Head Women's Tennis Coach Michael Branche noted of Cherry, "Maddie entered her first season with a mission to be the best player she could be." He continued, "She remained laser focused all season, which resulted in a very successful first year. I'm excited to see what is in store for her career. Her unmatched work ethic and unbelievable talent level are rare and the sky is the limit for her."

This outstanding newcomer, distinguished herself as a member of the women's tennis team. With the release of the 2021 Empire 8 Women's Tennis All-Conference Team, Maddie Cherry was honored as the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Year and the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year. Both citations are firsts for the Gator women's tennis program. In addition, Cherry was also named to the Empire 8 Singles First Team as well as the Empire 8 Doubles Third Team.

A newcomer with the Gators, she 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 past fall. Playing at No. 1 singles, she was a perfect 9-0 in singles play in her Gator debut.