FAIRFAX, Va.— Senior Lauren DeVaney of the William Smith College basketball and volleyball teams was named the second runner-up for the 2023 Arthur Ashe Jr. Female Sports Scholar of the Year Award the Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine announced earlier this week. She is the first student-athlete from the colleges to earn this distinction.
 
The Annual Ashe edition of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education is part of the publication's over a quarter-century legacy of recognizing outstanding, young minority men and women who have distinguished themselves in their academic and athletic pursuits. In addition, students-athletes named Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars must maintain at least a 3.5 cumulative grade point average, be at least a sophomore academically, and be active on their campuses or in their communities.  
 
DeVaney finished third of four finalist after being selected from nearly 1,000 overall nominees. Camber Hayes from the Miami University (Ohio) women's soccer team was selected as the 2023 female winner.
 
In three seasons on the basketball court, DeVaney produced 882 points, 693 rebounds and 120 assists. This season, she averaged 13.2 points and a Liberty League-leading 9.5 rebounds per game. She led the Herons with 12 double-doubles on the season, posting double-digit points in 18 of 22 contests played. DeVaney was named to the All-Liberty League second team and the USBWA Rochester Area first team this year.
 
A two-sport athlete, DeVaney also excelled on the volleyball court, playing in 22 matches for the inaugural William Smith volleyball team. One of two seniors on the young team, she helped the Herons to a 16-6 overall record, finishing third in the Liberty League standings. She led the team in solo blocks with 13, and was second in total blocks with 54. DeVaney posted a career-high nine blocks in a 3-2 win over Hartwick on Sept. 16.
 
A mathematics and architectural studies major, DeVaney is a four-time Liberty League All-Academic selection, a two-time Academic All-District selection, and a two-time Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar honoree. She also received the Hazel Nettleship Hardy '65 Award in 2021-22 for her contributions to the growth of William Smith athletics.
 
Throughout her collegiate career, she has participated in a wide range of service projects, such as assisting the Geneva community in developing the Crystal St. Community Garden.
 
Diverse: Issues in Higher Education will release its annual special report edition on April 27, which will include a full list of the 2023 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars.