Avani Topiwala (Tennis) and Sasha Griffin (Volleyball) are PCTI’s September Athletes of the Month!
Avani Topiwala is a three-year varsity letter winner who:
As a senior, she has had a tremendous season as the captain of the Girls Tennis team. Avani plays in the 3rd singles position and has a record of eight wins and only two losses. She leads the team in blocks and kills. Her efforts have improved the team to a very competitive overall record of 6-4, with a 3-2 record with in the Big North Conference Liberty Division. She has accomplished all this success despite playing out of position. Avani should be playing 1st doubles, but because of a pre-season/season ending injury to one of her teammates (and because she holds the team’s success in such high regard), she has embraced her new role and excels at 3rd singles.
In the classroom, Avani takes the role of student-athlete to the next level. She is a member of the Academy of Medical Arts and boasts a 4.35 GPA, ranking in the top 1% of the class of 2018. She will be applying to Northeastern, Rutgers, St Johns, and Albany College and will pursue an education in Pharmaceuticals. We wish Avani, and the entire Lady Bulldogs Tennis team, all the best for the 2017 fall season!
Sasha Griffin is a three-year varsity letter winner who:
As a senior, she has had a tremendous season as a leader of the Girls Volleyball team. At this early stage of the season, Sasha leads the team in blocks and kills. It’s the first year Sasha has been able to demonstrate her true potential, which is showcased as she plays both Middle Hitter/Blocker and Backrow. Her energy on the court and presence at the net provide her team with an edge that will lead to great things this season. Her official statistics at the end of the first six contests include: 12 kills, 5 blocks, 10 service-points with 6 aces. The team is currently 4-2 overall with a 4-0 record within the Big North Liberty Division and they are well on their way to being named repeating BNC-Liberty Division Champions with an amazing 2-0 over the Lady Mustangs of Clifton High School (the Lady Bulldogs toughest divisional opponents).
In the classroom, Sasha embodies the role as student-athlete. She is a member of the Academy of Information Technology (Computer Science) and boasts 3.0 GPA. Sasha looks forward to attending the College of St. Rose or Rutgers, New Brunswick. We wish her, and the entire Lady Bulldogs Volleyball team, all the best for the 2017 fall season!