SOUTH HADLEY, Mass. -- The Mount Holyoke College Department of Athletics hosted its annual Athletic Awards on Sunday, May 4 in Chapin Auditorium. The event was a great way to reflect on the 2025-26 academic year, including all of the accomplishments of the Lyons' student-athletes.
Scholar-Athletes
Following opening remarks from Director of Athletics Andrea Ricketts-Preston and President Danielle R. Holley, this year's scholar-athletes were recognized with their pins. During this portion of the ceremony, student-athletes heard from Christianna Smith Professor of Biological Sciences Craig Woodard and the elected scholar-athlete speaker from the lacrosse team, Elle Mader.
Honorees are those senior students who have achieved a 3.5 or better cumulative GPA through the end of their senior year fall term (or second to last semester) and who have completed at least three seasons in a single sport including their senior year. Transfer students must meet the same GPA requirements, and they must have competed for their entire MHC career. Three December 2025 graduates who qualified were also honored.
These student-athletes received a pin for their dedication and excellence in academics as well as athletics:
- Habiba Abouelatta, Squash, Neuroscience & Behavior
- Kennedy Bagley-Fortner, Tennis, East Asian Studies and English
- Kaylee Barnett, Swimming & Diving, Philosophy
- Annie Bethell, Soccer, Critical Race and Political Economy
- Emi Bisson, Lacrosse, Psychology
- Mia Blattmachr, Volleyball, Philosophy
- Sadie Duffrin, Volleyball, Architectural Studies
- Lara Gao, Squash
- Clarissa Govea, Soccer, Psychology
- Ainsley Gruener, Field Hockey, Neuroscience
- Leyla Guven, Rowing, Philosophy
- Clay Halpern, Rowing, Biological Sciences
- Katrina Holbrook, Rowing, Biological Sciences and Data Science
- Jaskirat Kaur, Tennis, Politics
- Anna Kennedy, Soccer, Politics
- Maire Kettner, Rowing, English
- Natali Kostadinovic, Tennis, Statistics
- Elsa Kulatunga, Rowing, Classical Studies
- Elle Mader, Lacrosse, Biological Sciences
- Molly Malloy, Swimming & Diving, Environmental Studies and Politics
- Emmy McCormack, Rowing, Chemistry
- Kiera McLaughlin, Track & Field, Politics
- Gwyn Munroe, Rowing, Biochemistry
- Kellyn Norman, Field Hockey and Swimming & Diving, English and Classical Studies
- Ku Paw, Squash, Economics
- Sarah Plotkin, Rowing, Psychology & Education
- Ava Rawlings, Rowing, Politics and Psychology
- Elle Rimando, Track & Field and Volleyball, Architectural Studies
- Amelia Ringor, Volleyball, Biological Sciences
- Katherine Sloop, Squash, Anthropology and Politics
- Cal Smith, Tennis, Computer Science
- Kyra Staples, Volleyball, Architectural Studies
- Charlotte Subak, Equestrian, Biological Sciences and Environmental Studies
- Em Tetzlaff, Track & Field, Architectural Studies
- Nora Tripp, Equestrian, Biological Sciences
- Alex Twomey, Basketball, Astronomy
- Kate Vavra, Tennis, International Relations and French
- Taylor Vettori, Field Hockey, Politics
- Marielle Welch, Lacrosse, Biological Sciences
- Taryn White, Basketball and Soccer, Psychology and Spanish
- Holly Wrampelmeier, Rowing, Psychology
Lyons Loyalty Awards
At Mount Holyoke College, student-athletes that participate in three traditional seasons on any varsity team including their senior year received a stole. Student-athletes that compete in three traditional seasons in the same sport, including the traditional season in their senior year received an afghan, and multi-sport athletes who qualify twice received a rose in recognition of their second sport. All other senior student-athletes received a cord.
Student-athletes who are planning to graduate in December 2026 were also recognized.
Basketball
- Alex Twomey
- Taryn White
- Jane Wu
Cross Country
- Katie Earle
- Dalia Luckhardt
- Tess Marini-Rapoport
- Sarah West
Equestrian
- Lili Evans
- Lila Hancock
- Lia Liang
- Charlie May
- Hallie Phillips
- Charlotte Subak
- Nora Tripp
- Kenny Yang
Field Hockey
- Ainsley Gruener
- Kellyn Norman
- Taylor Vettori
Lacrosse
- Langley Berat
- Emi Bisson
- Jane Harmon
- Elle Mader
- Marielle Welch
Rowing
- Leyla Guven
- Clay Halpern
- Katrina Holbrook
- Maire Kettner
- Elsa Kulatunga
- Emmy McCormack
- Gwyn Munroe
- Sarah Plotkin
- Nora Priede von Herber
- Ava Rawlings
- Holly Wrampelmeier
Soccer
- Annie Bethell
- Dana Chateauneuf
- Clarissa Govea
- Emme Kate Hackett
- Jane Harmon
- Anna Kennedy
- Ada Siepmann
- Taryn White
Squash
- Habiba Abouelatta
- Lara Gao
- Tina Mei
- Ku Paw
- Katherine Sloop
Swimming & Diving
- Sophie Allen
- Kaylee Barnett
- Molly Malloy
- Kellyn Norman
Tennis
- Kennedy Bagley-Fortner
- Kirat Kaur
- Natali Kostadinovic
- Cal Smith
- Kate Vavra
Track & Field
- Katie Earle
- Dalia Luckhardt
- Kiera McLaughlin
- Elle Rimando
- Em Tetzlaff
- Sarah West
Volleyball
- Mia Blattmachr
- Sadie Duffrin
- Elle Rimando
- Amelia Ringor
- Kyra Staples
All Lyons-Team
These student-athletes, who are nominated by their coach, best exemplify the missions of their respective teams and are impact team members. These student-athletes uphold the values of both the Department of Athletics and the College and we could not be more proud of them.
- Basketball: Hannah Goen
- Cross Country: Tess Marini-Rapoport
- Equestrian: Charlie May
- Field Hockey: Taylor Vettori
- Lacrosse: Juliana Spaulding
- Rowing: Sam Thibeault
- Soccer: Clarissa Govea
- Swimming & Diving: Isabel Dunn
- Indoor Track & Field: Bridget Hughes
- Outdoor Track & Field: Zivaishe Jaravaza
- Volleyball: Sadie Duffrin
Department Lyon of the Year
Each year, the Department of Athletics at Mount Holyoke College nominates and votes upon an individual that went above and beyond for the department and its student-athletes and coaches. Senior Associate Director of Athletics Bardee Sadlier had overwhelming support from voters this year, based not only on her exceptional work done on an annual basis to support the entire Athletic Department, all of our student-athletes and all of the other community members who visit and use our beloved Kendall Sports and Dance Complex, but also for the added burdens she has shouldered this particular year as the renovation of the Kendall Sports & Dance Complex has been an ongoing day-to-day presence in the life of the department.
Coaching Staff of the Year
The Coaching Staff of the Year Award went to the volleyball program: head coach Iris Carpio, assistant coach Sam Jennison, and assistant coach Anthony Deprey-Willis.
Unsung Hero Award
This inaugural award goes to a student-athlete who might not have the stats per se, but helped their team in unsung ways. It went to Helena Robinson '28 of the basketball and lacrosse teams. "After starting the season sidelined while returning from injury, she remained fully engaged contributing however she could, whether it was running the clock in practice, serving as a passer in shooting drills, or bringing energy and enthusiasm from the bench during games," her nomination read. "When she returned to full participation, she transitioned seamlessly and made an immediate impact on both ends of the floor. More importantly, she continues to prioritize the team above herself, always looking for ways to support her teammates and putting in extra work to improve. [Her] consistency, selflessness, and team-first mentality have made our program better every day."
All-American Strength & Conditioning Awards
Presented by strength and conditioning coach Jay Mendoza, this year's honors went to Clarissa Govea and Elle Rimando.
Rookie Athlete of the Year
Rory Bernardo (Oaklyn, N.J.) is a two-sport athlete in field hockey and lacrosse who has excelled in both. In field hockey, she started every game and was a beloved teammate who worked incredibly hard and raised the game of her teammates. In the lacrosse season, she was a tenacious player with incredible hustle and 1v1 defense. Her impact on both programs has been vast.
Sophomore Athlete of the Year
Julianna Spaulding (Wakefield, Mass.) is an impact player as a defensive midfielder on the field hockey team, starting all 18 games this year and playing a pivotal role on penalty corners and stopping some of the conference's top players. In the spring, she becomes an absolute all-around force for the Lyons' lacrosse team at midfield, leading Mount Holyoke in three major defensive statistical categories while also scoring the team's second most points.
Junior Athlete of the Year
Kyra Staples (Chatham, Ill.) broke a major team statistical career record as a junior this year, finishing third in the NEWMAC in one major category and fifth in another major category. Anyone who saw Staples play would recognize her tenacity, her resilience, and leadership. Her energy is contagious and her ability to make big plays in big moments is one of the reasons her team made it to the playoffs. Her abilities gave the volleyball team's offense so many 2nd, 3rd, and 4th chance opportunities to score. Her first contact skills this season was the foundation of the team's success, and her ability to hype her team up is the reason they thrived on the road.
Senior Athlete of the Year
A captain on the track and field team, Elle Rimando (Mililani, Hawaii) broke her own program record in the triple jump and was named NCAA All-Mideast Region in the event. She qualified for the New England Championships in both the long jump and triple jump, and finished in the top five in both events at the NEWMAC Championships. In the fall season on the volleyball team, she changed positions at the start of the season for the good of the team, and the results were phenomenal. She led the conference in both kills and points per set, and ranked 21st in Division III in points – one of only three right-side hitters among the top 50 nationally. She became Mount Holyoke's first All-NEWMAC volleyball selection since 2006 while leading the team to its first NEWMAC playoff berth since 2007.
Highest Team GPA Award
Each year the Department of Athletics at Mount Holyoke College recognizes the team that produces the top cumulative grade-point average during the academic year. With a cumulative team grade-point average of 3.90 this year, congratulations go to Mount Holyoke Volleyball for earning the 2025-26 Highest Team GPA Award.
Athletic Director's Award
Each year, the Director of Athletics at Mount Holyoke College is given the chance to recognize someone within the Mount Holyoke College community that exceeded expectations and went above and beyond for the College, the Athletics Department, and everyone around them. This year, Director of Athletics Andrea Ricketts-Preston awarded Bardee Sadlier, Senior Associate Director of Athletics.
Laurie Priest Scholar-Athlete Award
This award is annually given to an exceptional athlete who displays great character and leadership, exemplary scholarship and is an outstanding representative of our school and athletic department. Alum Association Deputy Director Rachel Lewellen '93 was present to honor the individual that was selected for the department's most prestigious student-athlete honor.
The Laurie Priest Scholar-Athlete Award went to Elle Rimando, who has had an outstanding academic career at Mount Holyoke, carrying a cumulative grade point average of 3.78 through last semester. A talented architectural studies major, as an intern at MC3 Architects in Honolulu, they helped design a Zippy's chain restaurant that will open in Las Vegas in 2027.
Here on campus, they are better known for their prowess as a two-sport, three-season student athlete.
For four straight fall seasons, they have helped elevate Lyons volleyball to new heights, culminating this year with the team's first playoff season in two decades. They won All-NEWMAC honors as the leading attacker and scorer in the conference, and ranked 21st in Division III in points per set.
For the winter and spring seasons, this remarkable student-athlete has traded volleyball shoes for track spikes, and gone on to consistently prove themselves one of the most accomplished athletes in program history, owning three team records and becoming Mount Holyoke's first athlete to compete in an NCAA Championship since 2020.
With all this, according to one of this student-athlete's coaches, "her greatest achievement is effortlessly finding a way to make others feel seen, cared for, and supported. She is a great student-athlete but an even more amazing human."
