BATON ROUGE– Junior Staten Spencer of the LSU women’s tennis team received the Southwest Regional ITA/Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association announced on Saturday.
The Cissie Leary Award for Sportsmanship goes to a women’s player who displays inspiring dedication and commitment to her team, which has enhanced her team’s performance and exemplified the spirit of college tennis.
Spencer is currently 15-12 on the season despite suffering nagging injuries to her back and neck.
Spencer suffered a cracked vertebra in her lower back after her freshman season at LSU, and after her redshirt season in 2005-06, she has shown a willingness to play wherever the coaches have needed her in the line-up.
During her time at LSU, the Lady Tigers have advanced to the NCAA Tournament three times, including this season.
Besides her commitment and dedication on the court, Spencer has shown great leadership in the classroom. Spencer has earned a team-high 3.946 grade point average in Economics and will graduate this spring.
Spencer is the only LSU women’s tennis player to be recognized as an ITA Scholar-Athlete three consecutive seasons in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
Because of her efforts in the classroom, Spencer has been nominated for the prestigious Rhodes scholarship by an LSU professor.
Spencer has also shown great compassion for the community in her career. This season, Spencer was named to the Southeastern Conference Community Service Team after her work with LSU’s CHAMPS (Challenging Athletes Minds for Personal Success)/Life Skills Program.
Spencer served as an integral part of the SEC Together we CAN Food Drive held at LSU in fall 2007. She also headed up the tennis team’s visit to Our Lady of the Lake Children’s Hospital where they cheered up patients on the pediatric floor, passed out LSU temporary tattoos and visited with the families.
After winning the Southwest Regional award, Spencer is eligible for the national award to be announced May 20.
Spencer Named Tennis Region's Leary Award Winner