Throughout the school year, Watervliet Athletics will highlight student athletes of the month who demonstrate good sportsmanship, exemplary athletic performance and achievement in their respective sports, academic responsibility and leadership.

Nominated by their coaches, our Athletes of the Month for October are Tyleonna Edge, Jack Sierra and Mikenna Withkowski.

Tyleonna Edge: Volleyball

Coach Michelle DeGuire applauds senior Tyleonna Edge for her leadership both on and off the court — serving as a role model for not only her teammates but also for the school community. She encouraged a positive team environment and made pivotal contributions on the court that played a major role in the team’s impressive record and her own record-setting season.

“Ty has been a leader on and off the court for the past three years. She is a captain and a role model for the entire district. She spearheaded (along with Jaden Sierra) the Hope for Hunter Game and promoted a positive team environment throughout the season. She was an important piece of the puzzle in our 17-4 season. She ended the season now holds the single season records for attack attempts (488) and had kills — 180 (37%) and solo blocks (40) and assisted in 14 blocks throughout the season. As a result, she now is tied for the record of number of kills in a game and holds the record for the number of blocks in a match. Ty will leave Watervliet holding the All-time record for all of the above as well.”

Jack Sierra: Golf

Coach Dan Ciaramella describes senior Jack Sierra as a natural leader—someone who consistently showed up every day ready to work, push himself, and get better. His dedication, attitude, and leadership have made a lasting impact on his teammates.

“Jack should be honored for his great accomplishments during this golf season. He is a natural leader, who consistently showed up day after day ready to work and get better. Through the face of adversity, it was admirable to watch how he took the younger players under his wing and showed perseverance to go four straight matches earning a sectional score to make it into sectionals.”

Mikenna Withkowski — Girls Soccer

Coach Nick Grolley calls Mikenna Withkowski the team’s most valuable player demonstrated by her soccer skills, energy and teamwork. Coach noted that Mikenna truly represents what a student-athlete should be, through her dedication to the game of soccer while excelling in the classroom and making high honor roll.

“Mikenna was our offensive standout. This standout athlete scored 8 goals this season. Her highest scoring game had her earn 3 goals, a hat trick, against Rensselaer in the first 12 minutes of the game before she was moved to defense to help protect our shutout. In addition, she assisted on 2 goals scored by teammates. Almost all of the offensive experiences this year had Mikenna involved. She was able to take on two to three opponents simultaneously and usually made it past a few more before taking her shots on goal. She was a tireless young athlete. She was our central midfielder and commanded the offense by either making critical shots or passes to her teammates. Her soccer IQ is impressive and without her, we would not have had the opportunities and success that we did this year. She was, and is, our MVP. She is an incredible STUDENT athlete. Not only is she earning High Honors with an average of 95, but she is also providing a positive and enjoyable classroom environment for herself, her peers, and her teachers.”