WEST POINT, N.Y. – Stephanie Dolehide, who was recently announced as one of 12 regional winners of the ITA Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award, was announced as the recipient of the national honor on Monday afternoon. The rising senior is the first Army women's tennis player to receive a national award from the ITA in program history.
"I am extremely proud and thrilled that Stephanie has received the Intercollegiate Tennis Association's Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award," head coach
Paul Peck said. "Stephanie embodies what college athletics is all about. She is a tremendous athlete, competitor, and student and displays tremendous sportsmanship and leadership on and off the court. She leads by example in all aspects of her life. In addition to her selfless dedication to her team, she is extremely active in the student body at West Point. I am so excited to see what the future will hold for Stephanie in her future endeavors."
The ITA's Arthur Ashe Leadership & Sportsmanship Award recognizes outstanding student-athletes in all divisions at the regional and national levels. The prestigious award, which dates back to 1982, goes to NCAA divisions I, II and III, NAIA and JUCO men's and women's players who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.
A 2021 First Team All-Patriot League selection and a member of the conference's Doubles Pair of the Year, Dolehide has racked up a career record of 34-19 in singles play and a 31-13 mark in doubles in three years as a Black Knight. Her prowess on the court boosted the team to a fifth-place ranking in the 2021 ITA Northeast Regional Poll, the highest mark in program history. Additionally, her stalwart play helped Army finish over .700 (12-4 overall) for the seventh-straight season.
The recipient of Army West Point's prestigious
Coach K Award currently serves as both the Trust Officer and the Wellness CIC for Company I-3 and was additionally the First Sergeant of the SGR Leadership Detail in the Summer of 2020. Dolehide is a two-term Brigade SAAC Representative, the Outreach NCO for Company I-3 and co-founded the organization "Empowered Women Empower All", which aims to provide inspiration to others via the sharing of stories from leaders.
The rising senior has also played an integral role in the planning and execution of various events, both within and outside of athletics. Dolehide helped to organize the Battalion Trust Barbeque for 400 cadets in the fall of 2020, as well as the Brigade Open, a flighted tennis tournament that saw over 500 cadets compete. She additionally hosted Operation Hike, a morale-boosting event that took place in the summer of 2020, and is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
One of three non-Power 5 student-athletes on the ballot for national recognition, Dolehide was a member of the squad that captured the 2019 Patriot League Championship and will attempt to lead the Black Knights to their third league title since 2018 during her senior campaign.
To view the winners of the ITA's other national awards, click
HERE.
Courtesy of Army West Point Athletic Communications