May 8, 2018 LOUDONVILLE, NY - Six Siena College student athletes have been named 2018 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine. Siena's honoree's included women's basketball's Emmanuella Edoka and Kollyns Scarbrough, women's soccer's Madison Vasquez, women's tennis' Rina Sakai, track's Meghan McDonough and volleyball's Karli Rodriguez.

Four of the six honorees are receiving the honor for the third time, while McDonough earns the recognition for the second time and Rodriguez for the first time. Siena previously boasted a record 11 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars in both 2017 and 2016, while having eight in 2015 and seven honorees in 2014.

Now in its 26th year, Diverse first established the Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars Award in 1992 to honor undergraduate students of color who exemplify the standards set by the tennis legend. A scholar and an athlete, Ashe sought to expand opportunities for young people.

Each year, Diverse invites every postsecondary institution with intercollegiate athletics in the U.S. to submit nominations for their outstanding sports scholars. In addition to their athletic ability, students named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must exhibit academic excellence as well as community service. To be eligible to be named an Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar, diverse student athletes must have reached at least sophomore standing academically, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or better, and be active both on their campus and in their community. This year, approximately 1,000 student athletes from across the country were nominated.

A native of Abuja, Nigeria, Edoka has played in 65 games in her time in the Green and Gold. She was a key addition the team playing and starting in 14 games this season. She grabbed 298 rebounds on her career, including 82 this season. She has been named to the MAAC All-Academic Team this spring, Edoka will graduate from Siena with a degree in Economics holding a 3.59 cumulative grade point average.

A First Team All-MAAC selection, Scarbrough helped lead the Saints to their best league seeding since 2004. She was a two-time MAAC Player of the Week and recorded eight double-doubles over the season. The Jamaica, New York native led the league in field goal percentage (.493), was third in the league in points per game (16.0), fifth in both rebounds per game (7.6) and steals per game (2.0), and 10th in free throw percentage (.746). A MAAC All-Academic Team honoree, Scarbrough maintains a 3.29 cumulative GPA as a psychology major.

Vasquez was a Second Team All-MAAC Selection after being heralded as a Preseason All-MAAC selection. The West Babylon, New York standout started all 19 matches in the center midfield. She tallied 10 points on the strength of five goals. Three of her five goals were game-winners, including a decisive tally in the MAAC Quarter Final victory over league rival Marist. A MAAC All-Academic Team selection, Vasquez currently possesses a 3.55 cumulative GPA while majoring in management.

Sakai played a key role in helping the Saints earn their third straight MAAC Tournament appearance. Her with doubles partner Julia Dunbar earned All-MAAC First Team Honors at doubles three, while she also picked up a MAAC Second Team honor for singles four. At doubles three the duo was undefeated in regular season play posting an 8-0 record and 5-0 league record. Overall for singles play she went 12-8 and 5-2 against MAAC opponents. At singles four, Sakai went 6-1. The Tokyo, Japan product was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team and holds a 3.89 GPA as a mathematics major.

McDonough contributes to the cross country and track program. She competes in the mile, 1500m and 3000m during the track season. She took 15th at the MAAC Indoor Championship in the mile. She has posted six top-10 track finishes this season, including a school record setting 4x400m relay time at the MAAC Outdoor Championship. The Northport, New York native has been a MAAC All Academic Team member after boasting a 3.60 GPA while majoring in computational physics.

Rodriguez was the only Siena Saint to play and start in all 29 matches this season. She was second on the team with 36 blocks and 33 block assists. She was fifth on the team with points per set as she added 1.47. The Harker Heights, Texas native added 101 kills, the fifth most on the team. A MAAC All-Academic Team selection, she holds a 3.34 cumulative GPA as a sociology major.