Yuliya Orkis Award Hospital For Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month Week Of 10/1/2013 Sport General School Brooklyn College Year Junior Position Hometown Brooklyn, NY High School St. Edmund Prep PDF Display Yuliya Orkis has been named Hospital for Special Surgery Scholar-Athlete of the Month for September 2013. This is the second consecutive September that the standout has earned the monthly honor. The Brooklyn College Women's Tennis Team Captain has a 3.983 GPA while pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theater with a focus in acting. "It's very rewarding knowing that my efforts on and off the court are being noted, said Orkis. "It's very tough to be in a rigorous undergraduate program and captain of a sports team, but it's through the support and recognition I get from my peers that helps me to keep pushing forward." On the court, the junior has earned two CUNYAC Player of the Year honors in as many seasons; making it clear that she is one of CUNYAC's best. This month, Orkis found herself among the top seeds in the USTA/ITA Northeast Regional Championships. In the first round, the junior was pitted against Ramapo's Carly Agrifolio and won handily 6-1, 6-0. She followed that up with a 6-3, 6-1 over Robyn Baird from Skidmore. In the round of 16, Orkis faced NYU's Ashley Masanto and advanced 6-1, 6-2. She finished the weekend by advancing to the semifinals after winning 6-1, 6-0 against Mare Santos of Geneseo. Her streak ended there as she fell 3-6, 4-6 to Ithaca's Cristina Nunez. Prior to the championships, she won four singles and three doubles matches. Versus Kean, the sensation won #1 singles 6-1, 6-0 and #1 doubles 8-2 with teammate Suraya Maenhout. A week later against Sarah Lawrence, the St. Edmund Prep grad won 6-0, 6-0 in singles with an 8-0 win at doubles with Maenhout once again. She finished out play before the championship with a highly anticipated matchup versus Hunter's Jane Selegean. Orkis won 6-1, 6-1 before she and teammate Maenhout took down Selegean and fellow Hawk Shena Joseph 8-4. "Julie exemplifies everything that this award stands for, excellence on the court and in the classroom," said Head Coach Ahmad Odetalla. "She's been outstanding once again this year and is a great example for younger student-athletes." Academically, her near perfect GPA has kept her on the Dean's List and earned her consistent CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete honors. Orkis certainly represents one of the best scholar and athlete combinations in the conference.