Ava Deguzman is Named 2025 CUNYAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year

May 20, 2025

The City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) awarded its most prestigious honors – the 2024-25 Scholar-Athletes of the Years – at the 38th Annual Michael Steuerman Scholar-Athlete Awards Dinner at Terrace on the Park on May 15.

In a tradition that began when the conference was first founded in 1986-87, the CUNYAC annually recognizes two of its graduating student-athletes, rich in both academics and athletics, as its Scholar-Athletes of the Year.

In 2024-25, Baruch College’s Ava Deguzman (women’s tennis) was recognized as the Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year.

In addition to recognizing the Scholar-Athletes of the Year, the CUNY Athletic Conference honored 27 Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honorable Mentions along with four All-Americans from the 2024-25 athletic year. Each were presented a plaque and CUNYAC sportswear.

2024-25 CUNYAC Scholar-Athlete of the Year Honorable Mention

• Mia Castillo (women’s basketball)
• Dylan Minnick (men’s basketball)
• Ryan Oommen (men’s volleyball)

Ava Deguzman: Decorated Career on the Tennis Court and in the Community

Over her four-year career as a member of the Baruch College women’s tennis team, Ava Deguzman has been one of the most decorated women’s tennis players in CUNYAC women’s tennis history.  Now, she can add the title of 2024-25 CUNYAC Female Scholar-Athlete of the Year to her resume.

A Computer Information Systems major who is minoring in Communications, Deguzman has compiled a 3.591 GPA during her time at Baruch.  A four-year captain, Deguzman, a Long Beach, California native, is the all-time winningest player in Bearcat history with 58 singles and 51 doubles triumphs.

Deguzman was named CUNYAC Player of the Year in each of her four seasons as she led Baruch to conference championships and NCAA appearances in 2021 and 2023 and an ECAC appearance this season.  She was named Tournament MVP for each of the Bearcat titles.

A member of the Baruch Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), Deguzman has been active in the community.  She has served as a Community Volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Association since the fall of 2022, and also organized and ran a free tennis clinic for local students in the Gramercy area.

Following graduation, Deguzman is set to be an Data Analytics Consulting Intern and Incoming Consultant with Crowe, LLP.  She has served as a Campus Recruiting Ambassador with Crowe this academic year, and since 2022, has been a tennis instructor at the Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club.

“Nearing the end of my college tennis career, I find myself reflecting with a full heart.  I’ve played tennis for as long as I can remember, and the idea of closing this chapter is bittersweet,” said Deguzman.

“I never imagined achieving as much as I have, like breaking the Baruch records for most singles and doubles wins, becoming an Academic All-American, and most importantly, having the privilege of serving as the team captain. Leading a team of strong, inspiring women-who I am lucky enough to call my closest friends-taught me leadership in a way no classroom ever could. I’ve worked hard to build a culture of support, growth, and unity, hoping to leave the program even stronger than I found it.”