Photo by: Tom Lynn/Big Ten
Jacobs Named ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award National Winner
Jun 21 | Women's Tennis
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Senior Maya Jacobs has been named the 2021 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award National Winner. Jacobs earns the honor after being named the ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Northeast Regional Award winner. She adds the recognition to NJAIAW Woman of the Year and Big Ten Sportsmanship Award accolades this season.
ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award (DI Women) honors a Division I women's student-athlete who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. The award dates back to 1997 and is in memory of the late and widely admired Penn women's tennis coach Cissie Leary.
Prior to the start of the season, Jacobs was also named the Rutgers Woman of the Year by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) this February 2021. The award honors outstanding female student-athletes from high schools, colleges and universities throughout New Jersey for their significant contributions to their institution and community through athletic accomplishments, academic success and community involvement.
The Linden, New Jersey, native has competed in 63 matches for Rutgers since arriving "On the Banks," leading the Scarlet Knights at the No. 1 singles position for the last three seasons. Though, Jacobs has battled through adversity with injuries over her career, her spirit and drive have never waived. Through it all, Jacobs remains a consistent leader and motivator for her teammates, while providing an example of what a Scarlet Knight should be on and off the court.
This season, Jacobs competed in all 17 dual matches at the No. 1 singles spot and the No. 1 doubles spot. She recorded three singles wins at the No. 1 spot and two doubles wins at the No. 1 position, helping push Rutgers to its most Big Ten victories in a single season with four program wins in conference action. She was also tabbed the team's Scarlet and Black Award recipient, which is awarded to the person who continues to lift the team up with their positive RU spirit.
As a sophomore in 2019, Jacobs earned the tennis program's Grit Award, which is presented to the person who demonstrates hard work in all training and competitions. She guided Rutgers at the No. 1 singles position, opening the year in nonconference with a 6-1 record in singles. Despite sitting out for the start of conference due to injury, Jacobs returned to finish out the season at the top of the lineup, showcasing the strength of her dedication and motivation she displays year after year.
A member of the Rutgers Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Jacobs has worked with a group of administrators and fellow student-athletes to address issues of racial and social justice. In the classroom, the communication major is a three-time academic All-Big Ten recipient and Dean's List honoree.
Follow Rutgers women's tennis on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award (DI Women) honors a Division I women's student-athlete who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team's performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis. The award dates back to 1997 and is in memory of the late and widely admired Penn women's tennis coach Cissie Leary.
Prior to the start of the season, Jacobs was also named the Rutgers Woman of the Year by the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) this February 2021. The award honors outstanding female student-athletes from high schools, colleges and universities throughout New Jersey for their significant contributions to their institution and community through athletic accomplishments, academic success and community involvement.
The Linden, New Jersey, native has competed in 63 matches for Rutgers since arriving "On the Banks," leading the Scarlet Knights at the No. 1 singles position for the last three seasons. Though, Jacobs has battled through adversity with injuries over her career, her spirit and drive have never waived. Through it all, Jacobs remains a consistent leader and motivator for her teammates, while providing an example of what a Scarlet Knight should be on and off the court.
This season, Jacobs competed in all 17 dual matches at the No. 1 singles spot and the No. 1 doubles spot. She recorded three singles wins at the No. 1 spot and two doubles wins at the No. 1 position, helping push Rutgers to its most Big Ten victories in a single season with four program wins in conference action. She was also tabbed the team's Scarlet and Black Award recipient, which is awarded to the person who continues to lift the team up with their positive RU spirit.
As a sophomore in 2019, Jacobs earned the tennis program's Grit Award, which is presented to the person who demonstrates hard work in all training and competitions. She guided Rutgers at the No. 1 singles position, opening the year in nonconference with a 6-1 record in singles. Despite sitting out for the start of conference due to injury, Jacobs returned to finish out the season at the top of the lineup, showcasing the strength of her dedication and motivation she displays year after year.
A member of the Rutgers Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Jacobs has worked with a group of administrators and fellow student-athletes to address issues of racial and social justice. In the classroom, the communication major is a three-time academic All-Big Ten recipient and Dean's List honoree.
Follow Rutgers women's tennis on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Download the Scarlet Knights App for Apple or Android today.
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Players Mentioned
/ Women's Tennis
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