A junior in the Smeal College of Business and the No. 1 singles player for the women's tennis team, Sasha Abraham has been the model student-athlete and was honored as the ITA Cissie Leary East Region Sportsmanship Award honoree for her accomplishments.

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA; May 19, 2006 - Women's tennis standout Sasha Abraham (Hyderabad, India) has been named the Cissie Leary East Region Sportsmanship Award winner by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA). Abraham is now in the running for the national honor, which will be announced next week.

"I am constantly impressed and proud of how Sasha Abraham represents not only Penn State but herself," said Penn State women's tennis head coach Buffy Baker. "She carries herself with class and dignity both on and off the court. She should make the entire Penn State athletic family proud."

The ITA Cissie Leary Sportsmanship Award is given by the to a junior or senior that has demonstrated extraordinary commitment and unwavering dedication to her team; with exceptional hard work, courage, sportsmanship and a positive, cooperative attitude that makes people around her play better. Scholastic, extracurricular achievements and playing accomplishments are also part of the selection criteria.

ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship

Region Name University East Sasha Abraham Penn State University Southeast Elizabeth Kernodle Elon University South Alison Silverio Georgia Tech Midwest Debra Streifler University of Michigan Central Katerine Bushey Air Force Academy Southwest Zuzana Krchnakova Baylor University Northwest Amber Liu Stanford University West Laura Gordon UCLA