TEMPE, Ariz. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) released the list of its 2023 NCAA Division II Atlantic Region award-winners on Tuesday and the West Liberty women received two of them.

    Senior standout Ishika Agarwal was the 2023 recipient of the ITA Atlantic Region Arthur Ashe Jr. Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. Coach Heather Gallagher's squad also earned the Atlantic Region Community Service Award from the national organization.

   According to the ITA, the Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award dates back to 1982 and is presented annually to the male and female student-athlete who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership, as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.

    Agarwal certainly qualified on all counts. Over the course of the season, the junior from Hyderabad, India contributed numerous key wins at No. 6 singles and No. 2 doubles for the regionally-ranked Hilltoppers. A 2023 NCAA Division II Academic All-District honoree who has maintained a perfect 4.00 GPA while carrying a double major in Marketing and General Business along with a minor in Finance, she is active in student government and has also taken on leadership roles in several on-campus projects and off-campus initiatives.

    The ITA Community Service Award recognizes the team's outreach efforts in the local and regional community. Team members and coaches have been working closely with the Highland Park Tennis Club in Pittsburgh in their program for blind and visually impaired children and adults. They also conducted local youth clinics and assisted with the HPTC's annual Christmas Food Drive.

   As one of eight regional award winners, Agarwal is now a finalist for the national ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award. The ITA National Awards will be announced sometime in June.