Danielle Collins, a senior from the University of Virginia, was named the Honda Sport Award winner for tennis as announced today by Chris Voelz, Executive Director of THE Collegiate Women Sports Awards (CWSA).
The Honda Sport Award has been presented annually by the CWSA for the past 40 years to the top women athletes in 12 NCAA- sanctioned sports and signifies “the best of the best in collegiate athletics”. With this honor, Collins becomes a finalist for the Collegiate Woman Athlete of the Year and the prestigious 2016 Honda Cup which will be presented on a live telecast on CBS Sports Network on June 27, 2016, in the Founders’ Room at the Galen Center on the campus of the University of Southern California in downtown Los, Angeles.
Collins was chosen by a vote of administrators from over 1,000 NCAA member schools. Finalists included Haley Carter (North Carolina), Francesca Di Lorenzo (Ohio State), and Luisa Stefani (Pepperdine).
““I feel very fortunate to receive such an incredible award,” said Collins. “I would like to thank everyone who has helped me with all of my successes along the way and the College Women Sports Awards organization. I feel so honored and am so happy I can accept this award as a Virginia Cavalier.”
Collins is a senior from St. Petersburg, Fla., and was the 2016 NCAA Singles champion earning her second NCAA singles title in three years. She is the seventh woman all-time to win two NCAA single titles and the first from the ACC. She also captured the ITA/Riviera All-American Championship and the Oracle/ITA Master’s Championship in 2016.
A three-time ITA All-American, she was named the 2016 ITA Senior Player of the Year and set a program record for singles wins by a senior with 38 this season, including a 29-4 mark versus ranked opponents. She is a two-time Honda Award nominee and closed her career with a No. 1 national ranking.
“Congratulations to Danielle on being named the Honda Award winner for the sport of tennis,” stated head coach Mark Guilbeau. “This is such a prestigious honor and an award that goes back many years and represents the very best of collegiate athletics. We are grateful to Honda and the College Women Sports Award committee for their selection of Danielle and for all they do to recognize these great student-athletes. I would also like to thank and congratulate Danielle's parents and family, Uva Athletics, all of her team and our women's tennis staff. These awards are a reflection of group effort and a program that provides great opportunities and support for its student-athletes. We are all very proud and happy for Danielle. Congratulations!!"
The CWSA, celebrating its 40th year, has honored the nation’s top NCAA women athletes recognizing superior athletic skills, leadership, academic excellence and eagerness to participate in community service. Since commencing its sponsorship in 1986, Honda has provided more than $3.0 million in institutional grants to the universities of the award winners and nominees to support women’s athletics programs at the institutions.