Xavier Student-Athletes, Administrator Among those Honored at CWSA Award Banquet

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Women's Sport Association (CWSA) held its annual award banquet honoring the best local female athletes, coaches and advocates at the club, high school, college, and masters levels at Cintas Center on Monday evening. Among those honored were senior Xavier student-athletes Tori Doss (women's soccer) and Sydney Liggins (women's tennis), as well as Xavier Athletics administrator Susan Cross Lipnickey.

This marks the second consecutive year a Xavier athlete has been recognized with a CWSA award as volleyball's Abbey Bessler earned Collegiate Player of the Year honors in 2016.

TORI DOSS

Congrats to @XavierWSOC's Tori Doss who was honored as the Inspirational Story of the Year at the CWSA Awards Ceremony tonight! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/CV2PzkFpPd
— Xavier Musketeers (@XUAthletics) April 25, 2017

Tori Doss earned the '2017 Inspirational Story of the Year' as the soccer player has overcome injuries for a successful playing career. Moreover, her performance in the classroom has been her most impressive accomplishment as the double-major in chemistry and biology has already be admitted to medical school. The Indianapolis, Ind., native was also a finalist for the Wooden Citizenship Cup.

A starter in 35 of the first 37 matches of her career at Xavier, Doss led the Musketeer squads on offense in her first two seasons at Xavier. As a freshman she posted a team-high in points and assists, and matched for the team high in goals. Her second campaign proved to be no sophomore slump, again leading the Musketeers in points and goals.

As a junior, Doss was en route to a similarly prolific season, collecting six points on two goals and two assists in just the first two matches of the 2015 season, before injury limited her to less than 60 minutes for the remainder of the season. Instead of allowing an injury to be a setback, Doss used it as an opportunity to grow through adversity. Doss started the first six matches of 2016, scoring a pair of game-winners in non-conference play before again suffering an injury. Despite playing with a heavily wrapped wrist, Doss never faltered in her commitment to the team, playing in a new but critical role, coming off the bench to add a spark on offense for the Musketeers. Doss finished her senior season second on the team in goals and third in points scored.

SYDNEY LIGGINS

Sydney Liggins (@XavierWTEN) was named Collegiate Player of the Year in Tennis by the CWSA at tonight's banquet as well! #LetsGoX pic.twitter.com/r6cjpeHmQb
— Xavier Musketeers (@XUAthletics) April 25, 2017

Sydney Liggins, the 2016 BIG EAST Player of the Year, was named the 'Collegiate Player of the Year in Tennis'. She led the Musketeers to a conference title last spring and an NCAA Tournament appearance. The title marked the first BIG EAST title by a women's sports team since joining the BIG EAST in 2013.

Liggins finished the 2016 season with a No. 10 ranking in the Ohio Valley Region after going 6-3 in singles play when playing an opponent of a ranked team. The native of Caledonia, Mich. won 26 singles matches with a team-high win percentage of 0.839. She also won 22 doubles matches with primary partner Amina Ismail.

Liggins has used her tennis skills as a means of outreach to the community. During her time at Xavier, she has volunteered at Buddy Up Tennis, where she working to teach tennis to individuals with Down syndrome, a way to learn the sport of tennis and engage in fitness activities in an enjoyable and supportive environment. Liggins also spent time volunteering in the Kids Zone at the Western and Southern Open.

Off the court, Liggins has also participated in the 'Adopt a Family' Program and Buddy Walk.

SUSAN CROSS LIPNICKEY

Susan Lipnickey, XU's Associate AD for Student-Athlete Services/SWA, was named the Huisman Administrator of the Year at the CWSA Banquet! pic.twitter.com/eGi4pKssY2
— Xavier Musketeers (@XUAthletics) April 25, 2017

Susan Cross Lipnickey was named the 'Huisman Administrator of the Year'. She currently serves as departments Associate Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services/SWA, joining Xavier Athletics in 2014 from Miami University where she was a Professor in the Department of Kinesiology and Health for over 30 years, as well as the Faculty Athletic Representative to the Mid-American Conference for 15 years.

Outside of her role at Miami, Lipnickey has been a practicing attorney since 1991. Nationally, she is involved at the NCAA level, serving on the Division I Infractions Appeals Committee since 2006 and the Division I Leadership Council since 2008.

"Since taking over more than two years ago as Xavier's Associate Athletics Director for Student-Athlete Welfare and Senior Woman Administrator, Susan has made an extraordinary impact on the university, athletics department and our 300 student-athletes," said Athletic Director Greg Christopher. "On a personal level, Susan is a vital and valued partner in pushing Xavier Athletics forward."

Since joining Xavier Athletics, Cross Lipnickey has been a champion of change in hiring and advancement, playing a critical role in changing hiring practices and approaches, leading to a diversification of our senior staff and coaching ranks. Beyond hiring, she has taken the lead in the development of coaches and women within the department, creating a professional development series tailored to coaches' needs, along with a regular meeting structure for the women in Xavier Athletics to talk through leadership and advancement topics.

Cross Lipnickey has also demonstrated a commitment to student-athlete development, making sure Xavier's 300 student-athletes have a positive experience. Her credibility as a former faculty member has helped her develop positive relationships across Xavier's campus, which in turn is helping Xavier student-athletes. She has reshaped the University's student-athlete welfare area, building a cross-campus team that's focused on the entire student-athlete experience.

COLLEGIATE HONOREES

• Abby Owings, Thomas More College, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Basketball
• Pei Lin, Miami University, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Diving
• Taylor Schuey, Miami University, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Softball
• Laura Felix, Thomas More College, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Soccer
• Jacqueline Keire, University of Cincinnati, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Swimming
• Sydney Liggins, Xavier University, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Tennis
• Annette Echikunwoke, University of Cincinnati, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Track & Field
• Jordan Thompson, University of Cincinnati, 2017 Collegiate Player of the Year in Volleyball

SPECIAL DESIGNATION HONOREES

• Susan Lipnickey, Xavier University, 2017 Huisman Administrator of the Year
• Bill Keating Jr., KMK Law, 2017 Donna DeVarona Spirit Award
• Emma Savarese, Ursuline Academy, 2017 Lauren Hill Courage Award
• Iris Simpson Bush, Flying Pig Marathon, 2017 Lifetime of Service to Women's Sports Award

COACH OF THE YEAR

• Susan Seaton, University of Cincinnati, 2017 College Coach of the Year (Track & Field)
• Tony Harden, St. Henry High School, 2017 High School Coach of the Year (Track & Field/Cross Country)

SPORT ADVOCATE HONOREES

• St. Elizabeth Healthcare, 2017 Business of the Year
• Marcia Yager, 2017 Master Sportswoman of the Year
• Tori Doss, Xavier University, 2017 Inspirational Story of the Year

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