University of Redlands junior Paige Sumida (Hilo, HI) was honored with the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA)/Arthur Ashe Leadership and Sportsmanship Award for the West Region.  She is now in contention for the national award, which will be announced on May 21.
 

According the ITA web site, this award recognizes men’s and women’s tennis players at the NCAA Division I, II, and III, NAIA, and Junior College levels who have exhibited outstanding sportsmanship and leadership as well as scholastic, extracurricular and tennis achievements.

During the 2009 campaign, Sumida bolstered the Redlands lineup at No. 2 singles and compiled a 15-7 record.  In doubles, she and junior Whitney Waters (Austin, TX) competed at the No. 1 slot, earning a 16-9 record.  

Sumida played an integral role in the Bulldogs’ back-to-back Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) co-championships and ninth NCAA berth in ten years.  This three-time First Team All-SCIAC honoree also helped Redlands achieve one of its highest rankings during the 2009 season at No. 8. 

Currently, Sumida is one of three women’s tennis players at Redlands who are looking forward to the NCAA Individual Championships, which begin on May 22 in Lawrenceville, GA.  She advances to the tournament as one of 32 singles competitors and joins Waters as one of 16 doubles duos.

In the classroom, Sumida boasts a 3.48 cumulative GPA as a Psychology major.  In her spare time, she serves the community by volunteering at Inland Temporary Homes, which offers 90 days of shelter for homeless families with children under the age of 17.

Last season, Sumida was named the ITA West Region Player to Watch.

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