The City University of New York Athletic Conference annually recognizes its best and brightest student-athletes, who not only excel in athletics, but succeed in the classroom as well. Over the next few weeks, CUNYAC will recognize those who truly embody what it means to be a student-athlete. The award is presented by Hospital for Special Surgery, the official hospital of the CUNY Athletic Conference.
Anita Sengara, a member of the Baruch College women's volleyball team, owns a strong 3.69 grade-point average, majoring in Communications with a minor in Psychology. She is a CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll member and Athletic Director's Academic Honor Roll award winner, given to Baruch student-athletes with a minimum 3.4 GPA. In addition, Sengara is a four-year member of the Bearcats' Student-Athlete Advisory Committee.
A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Sengara has been an active member of her community prior to arriving to Baruch. In high school, she volunteered to help coach disabled kids in the community who wanted to play softball. Last summer, she had the opportunity to work as a Presentation Suite Assistant Manager for a well development company in Victoria, British Columbia. Currently, Sengara and her brother co-founded a growing clothing line called Junk Wear Apparel.
On the court, Sengara played two seasons for the Bearcats following stints at UMass Darthmouth (2016) and NCAA Division II Queens College (2017). The outside hitter appeared in 60 matches in a Baruch uniform, amassing 805 kills, 542 digs, 70 service aces and 53 total blocks.
Sengara made an immediate impact on the Bearcats and the CUNYAC in her first year with the team, landing First Team CUNYAC All-Star recognition. The season was highlighted by a 35-kill performance against Colby-Sawyer, setting a Baruch single-match program record.
This season, Sengara was voted ECAC Metro Region Offensive Player of the Month in the very first month of the year. She was crowned CUNYAC Player of the Year after pacing the conference in points (496.5), kills (438) and kills per set (4.06), guiding Baruch to the CUNYAC Semifinals. Sengara tallied 30 kills in the playoff loss to Brooklyn, landing on the CUNYAC All-Tournament Team.
Baruch earned a berth into the ECAC Championship, picking up a First-Round victory over Rutgers-Newark, the program's first-ever postseason win. Sengara powered the Bearcats to victory, finishing with 21 kills and a .327 hitting percentage.
"I am so grateful to be recognized by CUNYAC for my athletic and academic achievements made possible by having amazing coaches and professors who support and dedicate their time to make us the best student-athletes we can possibly be," Sengara said. "This is truly an incredible opportunity."
2019-20 CUNYAC/HSS Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honorable Mentions
HSS is ranked #1 in the nation for orthopedics by U.S. News & World Report for the 10th straight year. No wonder the City University of New York Athletic Conference trust HSS as their official hospital. For more information, please visit www.HSS.edu. During this time of social distancing, HSS has developed resources to adjust to working from home, located on the new HSS Feel Better From Home website.